Mullan to Wallace (Lead Creek / Sh*t Creek)Class III-IV
8 Miles
Avg Gradient 60 fpm
Tunnel
Tunnel Photo of Tunnel through the town of Wallace by Todd Hoffman taken 12/20/2004 Gauge Information
Coeur d'Alene, South Fork
Mullan to Wallace III-IV
River DescriptionOverview:The run is from Mullan to Wallace (class III-IV). There are several trestle bridges along the reach that are known to become clogged with logs and debris, and can also be dangerous at higher levels even when clear of strainers. Always keep an eye out for logs the entire length of the run. There is an excellent paved bike trail that parallels the river all the way from Mullan to Wallace (it actually starts at Lookout Pass and runs to Plummer, Idaho). Much of the section can be scouted from Interstate 90, but the bigger drops are not easily visible from the road. Note that the river passes through a tunnel at the town of Wallace and continues through town in a concrete channel with low bridges in a few spots. The run is III+ to IV- in difficulty at medium water levels, with difficulty and hazards increasing at higher flows. The South Fork can be run all the way from above Mullan near the Fish Hatchery to the town of Osburn which is downstream from Wallace. Where you put in and take out are up to you. Health Risks: The entire South Fork watershed has seen heavy silver, lead and zinc mining since the late 1890's, and below the town of Mullan, the river has been heavily contaminated by mine tailings. Over an approximaltey 80 year period tailings amd sewage were dumped directly into the river from numerous mining operations and settlements (hence the local name "Lead Creek"). As late as the 1970's, the South Fork still ran a muddy orange brown color. Although the river is now clear as mining activity has subsided and the river has shown significant recovery, there are still a few sites where tailings from historic mining operations leach directly into the river. Most of the South Fork Basin is part of an EPA Superfund clean up area. Just above the town of Wallace, Canyon Creek dumps into the South Fork on the North Side. All along Canyon Creek, through the area known as Burke Canyon, no sewer or septic system is in place and local residents discharge sewage directly into the Creek (hence the local name "Sh*t Creek", don't loose your paddle). As such, it is probably not a good idea to continue downstream of Wallace, although many paddlers run down to the town of Osburn to take advantage of the numerous play features in this section. Planning Tools: Map of Idaho Panhandle NOAA - River Flow Forcast NOAA - Snow Pack Report USGS - Realtime Gauge Notes: There are several outstanding runs just south of Wallace over Moon Pass in the St. Joe Drainage. The town of Avery is the primary jumping off point for the North Fork of the St. Joe (class III) as well as the Skookum Canyon (class III-IV), Tumbledown (class III-IV) and Heller Creek (class IV) sections of the main St. Joe. For some great North Idaho creeking head downriver from Avery to Marble Creek (class III-IV) and the Slate Creek (class IV-V). To get to Avery follow placer creek up through the town of Wallace, headed south. StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2006-11-29 20:35:21
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