Nooksack, Middle Fork
Clearwater Creek to Mosquito Lake Road (Ole One Lane Bridge)
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 4.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 156 fpm |
| Gauge | Mf Nooksack River Near Deming, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 23 minutes | 216 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 8, 2025 |
River Description
From the upper put-in, the Upper Middle Fork provides a brief warm up until Clearwater Creek comes in on the right. From Clearwater Creek to the former diversion dam site and the entrance to the gorge, the Upper Middle is almost one continuous rapid. Two or three times, the rapids culminate in class V moves, but everything in between is constant class IV to IV+. When the water is high, this section gets considerably harder.
The entrance to the gorge is at the former site of the Middle Fork Nooksack Dam where a bridge crosses the river. The Gorge is actually a notch easier than the upper middle, but the two hundred foot vertical walls are going to make it a little more intimidating. The first rapid below the bridge is Ice Box Paradise. This is the obvious rapid seen from the bridge with the hole on the right next to an undercut grotto. It doesn't look like much from the bridge, but don't worry, it'll be bigger from the seat of your boat. At higher water a sneak route cleans up on the left. The next drop is Leap of Faith. This is just around the corner from what can be seen from the bridge. At Leap of Faith the gorge walls come down to about ten feet apart as the whole river drops down a chute into the netherworld. Luckily the rapid is easily run center right, but for first timers this can be a scary experience. A few more fun ledges in the heart of the gorge lead to Hawaii Five-0. Scout and run Hawaii Five-O on the right. It's a highlight for many. The next major rapid is S-Turn. This is marked by a landslide coming in from the right. The rapid changes from year to year so be sure to scout on the right. One more ledge after S-Turn is the last rapid in the Gorge, Super Boof. If it's clean, Super Boof is a fun straight forward boof down the center slot. An old-growth fir that fell in from the right cliff a few years ago created serious consequences. A fixed line coming in from the cliff on the right has provided the option of a scout and or portage.
Afte
...River Features
Put In
Six Amigas
Named for at least six good boofs depending on flows, this is the new rapid at the former site of the Middle Fork Diversion Dam that was removed in 2020.
Icebox Paradise
Upon entering the gorge below the former dam site, Icebox Paradise has a hole that packs a punch especially as flows increase.
Cheese Grater
Cheese Grater is the last significant rapid on the Middle Fork.
Access Point below Cheese Grater
There is a hike-in option that takes about 20 minutes or a hike out that takes about 45 minutes or more with a boat just below Cheese Grater on river LEFT. It is not super obvious from the river but there is a primative camp here unreleated to the trail. This is an option for a class 2-3 boater who wants to just run the lower section of the Middle Fork (Class 2-3) with a play boat.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThere is a rather primative but possible hike in or out at Cheese Grater. It allows a class 2-3 boater to run the river and do the last mile or so of Class 2-3 suring and rapids. The trail is also an access point below the gorge that allows for escapeing the canyon for rescue purposes.
All jams are downstream of the bridge.
This is the first half of the very first rapid you encouter
on the upper middle fork.
This is the second half of the first rapid you
encounter on the upper middle fork.
The lead in to this rapid is trickier that it appears.
Use caution.
This is a tight slot with a tricky lead in and a tight
landing.
Since the floods this last thaknsgiving the middle fork has changed again.
All of the rapids have cleaned up with the exception of Hawaii five O. Scouting would be a good idea here.
S-bends no longer has the annoying pourover rock and has a nice snake like tongue through it. The log at super boof has shifted and is further downstream making it less of a consequence. Unfourtunately the 8 foot by 8 foot root ball is only hanging on by a small tree on the cliff wall. I am sure one group of paddelers will find it in the center stream someday.
4500 cfs. The dam is under this. Not paddled.
Lead-in to the dam @4500 cfs. Not paddled.
Careful! This rapid seems to change with every flood, and the latest rendition seems to be the hardest.