The North Umpqua River originates in Maidu Lake in the Cascade Range. The 34-mile stretch from Rock Creek to Soda Springs Dam is protected as a Wild & Scenic River. The scenery is a mix of rugged canyon walls, towering Douglas firs, and mossy forests, hung with lichen. One of the most unique things about the Umpqua is the aqua-clear water: the underlying lava rock filters all the water before it reaches the river. The North Umpqua is spring fed and has ample flows throughout the summer. Rapids are short, steep pool drops with some Class IVs on the lower