Middle Slough

Glide quietly along the calm waters of Middle Slough, one of the Preserve’s most peaceful waterways. A slough (pronounced “slew”) is a slow-moving side channel of a river, often winding through wetlands and floodplain forests. These waterways act as nurseries for fish, feeding grounds for birds, and corridors for countless forms of wildlife.

As you paddle, you’ll be surrounded by tule marsh, riparian forest, and seasonal wetlands — habitats that support an incredible variety of species. Keep an eye out for great egrets and herons stalking the shallows, river otters playing in the current, or turtles sunning themselves on fallen logs.

Middle Slough provides an intimate paddling experience, sheltered from the wider river and framed by tall willows and cottonwoods. It’s an ideal route for observing the seasonal changes of the wetland and reflecting on the importance of protecting these rare floodplain habitats..