Canyon Creek (Lewis River trib.)

American Whitewater negotiated improved access at the Canyon Creek take-out as a condition for the Lewis River Hydroelectric Project. The site is also popular for hand carry craft accessing the reservoir in the summer.

Another accident should be added to the accidents link on this report. Also I encourage local boaters to report near misses on this stretch as I know they are happening, and would be useful for newcomers to understand. The report about Blaine's drowning at Champagne, high water, can be seen here: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Accident/detail/accidentid/114454

I think the flow range on this run should be adjusted. I saw that today at 474 it was 'lower than recommended'. For the record, today's level, while on the low side, is a perfectly fine level for the run. I would suggest that the low end of recommended should be at 400. It often gets run lower than that but 400 is a reasonable bottom for running the river. (Agree with this assessment but unable to edit beta box at this time, 8/14/21, T4eresa)

New stairs installed by PacifiCorp as a condition of their hydropower license.

New access project under construction for Canyon Creek.

Stairs will be constructed at the takeout this fall, resulting in a temporary closure. The river is slated to be 'open' again some time in mid-November 2014.

Images from the 2008 Canyon Creek Race.

The take-out trail for Canyon Creek. Improvements to this trail are to be provided as part of the new hydropower license for the Lewis River projects.

Ran Canyon Creek 11/18/2006 post-flood with 1130 falling to 1030 on the EF Lewis gauge. Swizzle sticks is clean of wood, seems trickier than with the old vertical log in the right. Terminator seems to have shifted on the right side of the ledge, line is even farther left and narrower. Thrasher has also changed with a new rock in the left entrance. The run is otherwise clean and I didn't notice any other major changes.

March 17, new wood in canyon entrance river right. forces difficult left to right move. exit below entrance exam has old growth channel-wide log. stay right to avoid possible entrapment between log and left wall. level was 900 EFL. lower level would make left line around river-wide log very dangerous at lower flows. stay hard right and paddle over log or hug the right shore and carry over. very large root wad with hard left current feeding into it at the top of the wood.

Christmas snow storm on Canyon Creek

The level is gauged by the river left bridge piling at the put-in otherwise known as 'the unit'. 0' is indicated by the line and stage is measured either or above or below this reference. Levels between -4' and 6' are good for first-time runs.

Lewis and Jared drop big K

The Twin Falls, Champagne and Hammering Spot, looking upstream from the river right portage route for the last ledge drop before lake.

The first of the Twin Falls near the end of the run.