Pringle Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pringle Falls |
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| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°44′35″N 121°36′30″W / 43.74306°N 121.60833°W |
| Type | Rapids |
| Elevation | 4,232 feet (1,290 m) |
| Total height | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Number of drops | multiple |
| Watercourse | Deschutes River |
Pringle Falls is a series of exciting rapids and small drops on the upper Deschutes River. This river is located in the beautiful state of Oregon in the United States. It's a popular spot for people who love rivers and the outdoors.
About the Rapids
Pringle Falls isn't one big waterfall. Instead, it's a stretch of the river where the water moves very fast. It has several "drops" or small waterfalls. The total height difference over this section is about 25 feet (7.6 m). This happens over a distance of about 850 feet (260 m).
The rapids start just below Wyeth Campground. The first part is about 600 feet (180 m) of whitewater. This section is rated Class II (novice) on the International Scale of River Difficulty. This means it's good for beginners.
River Challenges
After the easy part, the river gets more challenging. The next 300 feet (91 m) is rated Class III (intermediate). This means it's a bit harder and needs more skill. The very end of the falls has a Class IV (advanced) drop.
Experts say that only very skilled kayakers should try this last drop. They also suggest checking it out carefully before going. It is definitely not a good spot for open canoes. Safety is always important when you are on the river!
Getting Around the Falls
Most people who are boating on the river choose to go around Pringle Falls. This is called a portage. They take their boats out of the water at Wyeth Campground. Then, they carry them about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) around the falls. They put their boats back in the water below the falls at Pringle Falls Campground.
It's hard to do a shorter portage. This is because the land right next to the rapids is private property. Both Wyeth Campground and Pringle Falls Campground are part of the Deschutes National Forest.
How Pringle Falls Got Its Name
The falls are named after a person named O. M. Pringle. He bought a large piece of government land here in 1902. He bought it using a special law called the Timber and Stone Act.
The falls were also known by another name: the Fish Trap. This name came from the Native Americans who lived in the area. They used the shallow parts of the river here to catch fish. The fish would swim upstream and get caught by their gills. A post office called Pringlefalls even operated nearby from 1916 to 1918.
