Nisqually
3 - McKenna to Yelm Hydro Plant
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 9.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Nisqually River at Mckenna, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 42 minutes | 1060 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 5, 2024 |
River Description
With its origin on the slopes of Mt. Rainier, this is a great little float along a lowland river that has not been extensively developed. The first part of the run passes through some residential areas interspersed with patches of forest but as the run passes along the Fort Lewis Military Reservation mature forests border both sides of the river. Wildlife and birds can be seen along this section of the river. Most of the rapids are class II and there are several good boulder gardens that make ideal training areas for those who want to practice eddy turns. Although are some sections of flatwater the river moves along at a good pace and the rapids are fairly evenly distributed. A couple of the rapids push class III particularly as flows increase.
As you see the powerhouse on river left, continue just past it to the boat ramp on river left. Alternative take-outs are available downstream for those who want to continue their journey.
River Features
McKenna Park Put-In
Put in at the park immediately upstream of the Highway 507 Bridge on river right. This access has a good concrete ramp down to the water. If the park gate is closed you can use an informal access on river left on the downstream side of the bridge.
Boulder Garden
Shortly after the first railroad bridge a few minutes from the put-in the river flows through a serios of boulder gardens. USGS River Mile 21.
Nisqually Pines Access [Private]
Private access point at the Nisqually Pines River Park on river left a short distance upstream of Kahuna. This access is only open to residents of Nisqually Pines with a valid parking pass.
Kahuna
Kahuna is the most significant rapid on this stretch with several mid-size boulders over a short stretch of slightly steeper gradient. The line is generally down the middle with several alternatives depending on flows and your preference. USGS river mile 17.
Little Kahuna
Just around the corner from Kahuna is Little Kahuna where the river bends to the left and enters a boulder garden with the preferred line to the left of a midstream island. USGS river mile 16.
Fish Trap
The rotary screw trap is attached to a bare and used to count outmigration of juenvile salmonids. It is located just upstream of the powerhouse on the river right side of the main channel. Stay to the left to avoid.
Yelm Hydropower Project Access
This access on river left is the primary take-out point used by whitewater boaters. Boaters can continue on downstream from this point where the gradient decreases but beware of wood hazards.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportA nice run for four packrafters. 1820 cfs at NISQUALLY RIVER AT MCKENNA, WA , medium flow. Put in at McKenna was easy- and park was basically empty early in the morning as well as parking at the take out (yelm powerhouse park). boulder gardens were fun, with lots of eddy out opportunities and even some surfing options. The first railroad bridge does have a tree blocking the river on the right, but center and left are easy, open options that pose no difficulties. There were no river spanning/blocking wood, but established islands do have a fair amount of wood debris some of which looks new, likely from the december- 25 storm.
The river features & rapids are well established and described here on the Am. Whitewater site, with no new info- or edits from this trip.
Big kahuna can be scouted on the right bank, which you reach after you pass the distinctive 'wood island'. We did not see any metal debris or cars at the little Kahuna, and we stuck to the center based on prior descriptions. It is possible that any metal debris was covered (hidden).
Lots of wildlife- ducks, eagles, porcupine, and a fun day at this flow level.
The gate to Nisqually Powerhouse Park locked. Told by a local that due to a death from falling falling tree in storm last week they are closeing Powerhouse and McKenna Park if wind high (today 13knt).
Did this section of the river for the first time today in a kayak. The flow was at the very bottom of the recommended runnable range. Several areas were quite shallow. There are several log jams but all are visible well in advance and easily avoided. Didn't see the car at little Kahuna
A fun trip on a May weekend with light mist in the air. This was a good flow on the lower end of medium water level but plenty of water for a kayak and a couple packrafts. We encountered no signficant hazards except for a couple pieces of wood along the side in a couple places and the fish trip near the end of the run but was easy to avoid
The surf wave close to the take-out was at a fun level.
Great float at mid-flow on Nisqually. Bathrooms locked at put-in at McKenna Park, portapotty at Yelm Powerhouse Park. Easy to avoid fish wheel, no major log jams or wood hazards. A few eagles swooping around!
Couldn't spot any of the cars.
Pleasantly surprised by this section right in my backyard. I've lived in Yelm for 4 years and never even realized what a nice gem this section is. The online gauge read 1100 cfs today and I'm not sure how much water is diverted but it had enough water in it to be fun and eddy hop in out from around boulders in the rapids. This was the first time running and it was a lot more continuous II/III than I thought is was gonna be.....not too bad as far as flat water goes. Definitely will be hitting this up a lot more to practice rolling and keeping up on my skills. Seems like a good run for a beginner to step up and skill build. Any Yelm boaters can PM me on FB if you need a partner to run down it. Kevin Davidson
2/20/21, 2700 cfs, Mckenna Park to Yelm Hydro Plant, 2 hrs on the river. All wood was easily avoidable, fun eddies to play in
The cars have been moved to either bank. The photo is taken from river right looking at the car that used to be in the middle of the rapid. In the distance on the opposite bank is the other car. They will be covered at higher water. Use caution when eddying.
January 5, 2019 The river was at 1550cfs. The run was mostly clear of wood with a few logs in the river but easily avoidable.
8/17/2018 1050cfs One tree above kahuna on River left, but very easy to spot and avoid. Otherwise the run is clean and clear. A few minor pieces of wood that are not an issue easily spotted and avoided