Paddling

This dam is located about 3 miles downstream of the blue Patterson pedestrian bridge in Strawtown Koteewi Park, near 211th Street. A power plant with smokestacks is on the river right side. There is a formal portage path on the river’s left side.

The Williams Creek Cutoff dam is not in the main river channel, and is off to the river right about 1.25 miles downstream of the Keystone Avenue bridge. Shortly after passing this dam the river enters a horseshoe shape, and just beyond the bottom of the bend, just after where the Central Canal connects on the river left, is the Broad Ripple Dam. There is a mucky portage path on the river right side of the Broad Ripple dam. There is no formal portage path for the Williams Creek Cutoff Dam, but you can traverse the rocky shoreline around the dam.

Located about a half mile downstream of the 30th Street bridge in Riverside Park, this is the only dam that is not a low-head dam, and is much safer for people and better for aquatic wildlife. It is a series of small rapid-like drops rather than one large drop. Still, we recommend using the formal portage on the river’s left side.

Located just downstream of the 16th Street bridge, this dam partially collapsed in 2018, and while it may resemble rapids in appearance, it remains treacherous. There is no formal portage around the dam, but you can make your way along shore on either side of the river.

Located just downstream of the Washington Street and series of railroad bridges, this dam has been modified with large boulders, creating a rapids-like cascade of water. There is no formal portage path, although a very difficult portage is possible on the river right side.

Located about 1.6 miles downstream of the Harding Street bridge right next to a power plant with large smokestacks. There is no formal portage path and a difficult rocky shoreline river right that may be possible.