White Salmon,

5 - Buck Creek to Columbia River

White Salmon below Condit

White Salmon below Condit
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 1191038400

Gauge Information

River Description

With a gradient comparable to sections upstream and a deep bedrock canyon, this reach on the White Salmon holds promise for a future whitewater run. With that in mind and recognizing the opportunity to restore this great river, American Whitewater was a party to the negotiated settlement to remove Condit Dam and drain Northwestern Reservoir (photo). This reservoir currently prevents access to this future potential run and blocks fish migration. The current plan calls for removal of the dam in October 2008 and PacifiCorp is on schedule to meet this timetable. In the meantime, officials from Klickitat County have been working to halt the project. American Whitewater will continue to monitor the progress on what would be one of the largest dam removal projects in the country.

As we wait for the dam removal, there are some paddling opportunities on the reach downstream of the dam that have been explored by locals. While there is no formal access and we don't particularly recommend paddling this reach we provide a description below for those interested in what's there. If you do venture into this section be sure to scout it out at low flows first and it is a good idea to check in with local folks who have been in the canyon recently.

Most of the water is diverted at the dam and runs to a powerhouse about 1 1/2 miles downstream, so if you put in at the dam you can expect minimal water at the start. The run starts in the pool right at the base of the dam (historical photo prior to dam, current photo of dam). The first mile is characterized by small, congested and somewhat steepish boulder gardens and sections of calm pools (photo). Even at low flows you can probably make it through without a portage if you proceed carefully. There are drops with significant pin potential however that must be treated with respect. The first significant rapid begins at the entrance to the Narrows (photo) with a series of three drops that take you into the narrow gorge. You start off with a manky drop with pin-potential all over the place that leads into a fun 7-foot ledge (photo) followed by a 5- footer that drops into a hole (photo). At this point the river flows through a narrow gorge (photo). The major log jam, over 100 feet long that completely blocked the river (photo), blew out in fall 2006 but use caution as wood could easily become lodged in this narrow canyon.

About 1/2 mile below the Narrows you will reach the powerhouse where water is dumped back into the river (photo ). The best rapids are below here, starting out as class II (photo) and finishing with a bang with a series of three long III-III+ drops. The last of these is very fun and considered by many to be the best rapid on the river downstream of BZ (photo). The river quickly goes flat and you can either climb out on the left or continue another 1/2 mile downstream to the Columbia.

Logistics: Follow Hwy. 14 along the Columbia River and at mile 63.6 there is a bridge across the White Salmon at the confluence with the Columbia providing river access. The public can't use the tribal in lieu site on river right but you can scramble up the bank on river left at the Alt Hwy. 141 junction (photo ). Alternatively you can head up the river 1.1 mile from Hwy. 14 to a large pullout (photo) that provides access via a fishermen's trail that leads down to the river. From the river you can recognize this site by the cable that extends across the river overhead just downstream of the last significant rapid.

To reach the put-in, take Alt Hwy. 141 north from Hwy. 14 (just to the east side of the bridge). Continue 2.2 miles to the junction with Hwy. 141. Just past this junction you will see the turn for Powerhouse Road. Follow this road down to the dam where it will make a 90 degree turn to the left to continue downstream. Shortly after this turn you will see a dirt road that heads off to the right. You can walk down this road to the penstock. Hike down the penstock to the dam. From here the put-in is a little challenging. You get off the penstock using a ladder and then take an informal trail along the spillway. You then need to do some slightly sketchy climbing and lowering to get to the river (rope is helpful to get the boats safely down).

Following dam removal you will hopefully be able to put in further upstream. Head 2.0 miles north of the junction between Alt Hwy. 141 and Hwy. 141 and turn onto Northwestern Lake Rd. (Hwy. 141 mile 6.7). Follow it 0.4 miles down to a bridge. There is a park with a launch ramp, picnic tables, and a changing area on the downstream river right side of the bridge.