NOTICE: A recreational use advisory was issued by the Oregon Health Authority for Detroit Lake and the North Santiam River below due to high levels of a toxin caused by a cyanobacteria bloom. For more information visit this link.

River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at around 1,030 cfs at the gauge in Mehama. These flows should be the norm throughout the summer months.

Most of the summer steelhead and spring Chinook have migrated up into the river and are working their way towards the upper sections of the river where water temperatures are coolest. This year's summer steelhead run is the strongest since 2016 with over 4,700 adults already counted at Stayton. As of Aug. 17, they have counted over 18,300 adults passing above Willamette Falls.

The spring chinook run is just about over for the year. Most of the fish destined for the North Santiam are now in the river. Nearly 22,000 adults have been counted at Willamette Falls so far.

There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower river. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website.