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About Us > Our Rivers
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The Salmon & Klamath Rivers
 No small part of the Otter Bar experience, the rivers we use are our
classroom.
Salmon River
Otter Bar is located on the Salmon River (aka Cal Salmon) about
two miles downstream from the confluence of the river's North and
South Forks. Hence the name of our nearest town, Forks of Salmon.
The river flows freely and undammed from source to sea. There are no
cities, industry, or commercial agriculture in the watershed.
There
are three designated wilderness areas and a small population of
self-reliant people.
The Salmon River watershed is an oasis, a
remnant of wild land from which flows one of the world's most
beautiful rivers. True to its name, the clear river hosts a run of
salmon and steelhead, some of which you may see during your visit.
From a kayaking perspective, the river and its forks offer stretches
suitable for beginner through expert skill levels and truly ranks
among the most spectacular rivers anywhere.
Klamath River
The Salmon flows into the Klamath River about 16 miles downstream
of the lodge at the tiny town of Somes Bar.
The Klamath is an astounding river: its
 watershed spans from Oregon's high desert to Redwood National Park
on the Pacific Coast. It is the second largest river in the state,
draining an area the size of New England. Along its way to to ocean,
the Klamath picks up the Shasta, Scott, Salmon, and Trinity rivers
and dozens of mountain streams. Within the watershed is Mount Shasta (14,162
ft.); Crater Lake; the Klamath Lakes; the Siskiyou, Marble Mountain,
Russian, and Trinity Alps wilderness areas; Redwood National Park;
two national monuments; and seven national forests. Like the Salmon, the
river's canyon is rugged and heavily forested. A series of
three dams far upstream from us regulate the river's level, ensuring
that
 we have
boatable flows all summer long. The mainstay of our
beginner program, the Klamath is a classic pool-drop river with
long, slow pools separating the rapids.
Both rivers have been designated as National Wild & Scenic Rivers by
the United States Congress, a status very few rivers receive. For
more information about this spectacular region please see our
Links
page.
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Otter Bar Lodge Kayak School | 14026 Salmon River Road | Forks of
Salmon, California | 96031
phone: 530.462.4772 | fax: 530.462.4788 |
©2008 Otter Bar Lodge, Inc. | Site & photos by
Scott Harding
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