Cascade Lakes Event - Crane Prairie Reservoir Circumnavigation, L2

This trip is for the Cascade Lakes Event. Registration will be available to Cascade Lake Event registered members only on the night before the trip. Signup will be at the event headquarters campsite.

This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt....if the paddler is wearing a spray skirt on a level 1 paddle, the Wet Exit Certification is REQUIRED).  To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group if you intend to wear a spray skirt.  Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment.  If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.

Narrative: Crane Prairie Reservoir is a man-made lake that was named for the cranes that thrive in it’s habitat and for the upper Deschutes River prairie that once covered the area before the dam on the Deschutes was constructed in 1922. Eighteen years later, in 1940, the dam was rebuilt by the Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir now serves as one of Oregon largest rainbow trout fisheries and is a popular fly fishing lake.

This paddle will be a circumnavigation of Crane Prairie Reservoir. There is plenty of wildlife (otters, beaver, eagles, osprey, pelicans, deer, frogs, etc.) to see and many small inlets to explore along the shoreline. The hope is to circumnavigate the reservoir making this about a 10-12 mile paddle. There are many submerged logs and rocks to watch out for and the wind can be a big factor, especially in the afternoon. The average depth of the lake is only 11 feet and the maximum depth of the lake is around 20 feet keeping the water temperature fairly warm. If the water is algae free you can see down to the bottom in most of the lake.

The launch site requires a $5.00 day pass or Northwest Forest Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, a Golden Age Pass. You should be able to buy a pass at the self serve site at the launch I suspect it’s not automated so bring exact cash. It’s probably the old school type that requires you to put your money in the envelope and place in the drop box, but I’m not certain. But I am certain that a parking pass is required so come prepared!

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Crane Prairie Campground boat ramp
Take out: Crane Prairie Campground boat ramp
Route Alternative for bad weather: None
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: None
Primary Organizer: Teresa George
Co-Organizer(s): TBD
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:
Maximum number of paddlers: 8
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 60-75
Estimated Water Temperature: 65
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours

Tide Station: N/A
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information: N/A
Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: I’ve listed this paddle as a level 2 because of the distance and the possibility of wind and waves.
Location (Optional): Crane Prairie Campground boat launch
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19