Chiwawa, |
|
| Name | Range | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHIWAWA RIVER NEAR PLAIN, WA | 1100 - 2000 cfs | 01h24m | 274 cfs (rc= -0.9 ) |
The Chiwawa is a great intermediate run through the Wenatchee National Forest with continuous
class II and III rapids over most of its length. At intermediate flows there are plenty of great
surf spots. Wood is in play on this run and you can expect to have logs that extend into the
channel. The river is generally wide enough that you can find your way around but in some years
there have been trees across the channel that required a portage so be alert. The other issue to
be aware of is the dense riverside vegetation. At spring flows the alder trees extend into the
river and the banks are generally very brushy.
For those who want a shorter run of the best whitewater you can run just the first 6 miles and take out at the Forest Road bridge. If you have more time it's worth continuing downstream another 4.6 miles. The first couple miles of the lower section continue at the same pace as above with some great surf spots. The action then begins to taper off and you encounter a number of cabins as you approach the Chiwawa Loop Road Bridge.
We have no additional information about how various flows affect runnability (or playability) of this section of river. If you can provide additional information, please either directly contact the StreamTeam member for this reach, or add a 'comment' or a 'report' with your information to help out your fellow boaters.
| Name | Range | Updated | Level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIWAWA RIVER NEAR PLAIN, WA | |||||||||
| usgs-12456500 | 1100 - 2000 cfs | 01h24m | 274 cfs (rc= -0.9 ) | ||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiwawa [WA] |
Wood
|
n/a | Jeff Weiss | |
| Chiwawa2 - Huckleberry Campground (near Brush Creek) to Wenatchee R. [WA] |
Account of 05/20/09
|
0.0 in/yr | Jeff Weiss | |
| 1y148d04h52m | Chiwawa [WA] |
scenery on the Chiwawa
|
n/a | Thomas O'Keefe |
| 1y150d04h52m | Chiwawa [WA] |
Huckleberry Ford
|
n/a | Thomas O'Keefe |
| 8y167d12h52m | Chiwawa [WA] |
Another view from just upstream
|
1800 cfs | Suzi Gaines |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -10.8 | Surfer's Corner | III |   |
| -6.7 | Alternate Access |  | |
| -2.1 | Alternate Access | |
A nice surf ledge where the river hits a big wall and heads off to the left.
This alternate access can be used as a take-out if you only want to run the upper half.
This access avoids the fish trap and the float out to the Wenatchee. Access is available on river right under the Chiwawa Loop Road bridge.
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Chiwawa 2 - Huckleberry Campground (near Brush Creek) to Wenatchee R. (mobile)
User Comments
below Meadow Creek Campground not long after the river bends left under a sandstone cliff similuar
to Sufers Corner. Edit
log across the river a few miles downstream on a right hand corner that is hard to see from
upstream and is worse than the last. There is a small raft size door between a boulder and the
bushes on the river right bank to get through at 2200cfs.
able to line/drag rafts down the left bank to get around.
river but were easily avoided. No portages were required.
piled on top of it. It is several miles into the run, after a right bend. There are a few small
eddies river right just above the log.
The first few miles of this run contain many logs to be avoided. In one place, a river-left log
leaves a small chute next to a rock. It's fine to manuever in a kayak, but a raft wouldn't be able
to use this chute.
ran the Huckleberry Ford to Wenatchee River section. At approximately 1 hour 20 minutes into the
trip we came up to a new downed tree (pine needles and branches still intact) that spanned the
entire river. It's 20 - 30 river minutes before the bridge near Goose Creek campground, in the Big
Meadow Creek Gorge. It's a heavily forested area making portage for kayaks difficult, and pretty
much impossible for rafts. There isn't a good eddy for an oar boat above the tree, but there is a
log to side up to on river right about 80 feet above the tree. We had to line the cat around trees
and thick brush, a saw would have helped tremendously. Lining the cat added about 1 1/2 hours to
what should have been a 3 hour trip. The tree poses a serious hazard to boaters. I have pictures of
the tree, if anyone would like to see them contact me.