Owyhee,

Owyhee River Canyon

Owyhee River Canyon
Photo of David Reines by Chris Dawkins taken April 21, 2002

Gauge Information

River Description

SEASON: The river can be paddled between March and June with best peak flows occuring from late March to early May. In some years the raft season can be as short as 2-3 weeks. The 2002 season saw a peak flow of 11,000 cfs with daily fluctuations of up to 5,000 cfs with melt/freeze cycles. This one is best run on the way down rather than on the way up. Heavy rains can make passage on shuttle road problematic and bring flows up to dangerous levels rather quickly. Weather can fluctuate and even dip below freezing, but nighttime lows are generally more mild down in the canyon next to the river.

DESCRIPTION: The Vale District of the BLM maintains an Owyhee website with excellent information including a river guide in pdf format, maps, and local contacts for shuttle services. It's 2-4 day trip through a remote and incredibly scenic river canyon. The rapids are challenging pool-drop. You need to contact the Rome Launch site (the take-out) to register your trip. They can be reached at 541-586-2612. Registration can also be done at the Three Forks put in or the Rome take out.

The most challenging rapid on the run is Widowmaker which comes at mile 21. It's a class V and the portage is no picnic. It is typically portaged on river right. Rafts can be lined down the right bank or run down the left at good flows.

Alternative runs that can be combined with a run on the middle section of the Owyhee include the lower run from Rome to Owyhee Reservoir or the upper run from Crutcher's Crossing to Three Forks.

Check out Steve Stuckmeyer's Owyhee River trip report on the Oregon Kayaking site. Vince Tompson's Idaho Whitewater Page has an excellent trip report including photos of rafts running Widowmaker.

DIRECTIONS: The take out is located in Rome, OR just upstream of the Owyhee River Bridge on Highway 95, river right (East) side. To reach the put in from Rome, return to Highway 95 and drive 17 miles east and turn right (south) onto Lower Soldier Creek Rd (at the Three Forks highway sign). If traveling from the east on Highway 95, drive through Jordan Valley and continue 16 miles to Lower Soldier Creek Road. Follow this dirt road for 35 miles to Three Forks. The final 1.5 miles to the put in is on a steep road with tight switch backs and clearance required. 4WD is required when this road is wet. If it's really wet, the road might be closed.

CAMPING: Camp sites are avaible at both the Rome take out and the Three Forks put in. While on the river, you will be required to carry a portable toilet and fire pan. Check with the BLM for other camping regulations. Side streams are very scarce in the canyon. Carry plenty of water for your trip or plan to purify river water. Water can be obtained from Soldier Creek at mile 18.