White Salmon
5 - Northwestern Park to Columbia River(Lower Gorge or Bottom)
| Difficulty | II-III+(V) |
| Length | 4.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 50 fpm |
| Gauge | White Salmon River Near Underwood, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1100 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 1, 2024 |
Projects
Washington’s legendary volcanoes – Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams – are the source of wild, free-flowing rivers and streams that cascade over big drops and through deep basalt canyons on their way to the Columbia River. Rivers like the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, Cispus, Green, [...]Read More
Working closely with partner organizations, American Whitewater has played a leading role in stewardship projects addressing both conservation and public access on the White Salmon River in Washington. Over decades of advocacy, we have helped secure federal Wild and Scenic designation, established public access points, and supported the complete [...]Read More
River Description
With a gradient comparable to sections upstream and a dramatic basalt canyon, paddlers wondered what whitewater treasures were buried beneath the waters held back by Condit Dam. With that in mind and recognizing the opportunity to restore this great river to free-flowing magnificence, American Whitewater formally requested a dam removal study in 1992 and was a party to the 1999 negotiated settlement to remove Condit Dam and drain Northwestern Reservoir. This reservoir buried the river for a century blocking fish migration and innundating a whitewater run. The dam was breached in October 2011and opened to paddlers in November 2012.
From the put-in at Northwestern Park near the Buck Creek confluence, the river flows through the historic reservoir descending into a basalt canyon. Vertical basalt walls rise on river right as you enter the Lower Gorge with a great series of class III rapids. Constructed fish habitat in the first mile, and naturally deposited wood throughout require that paddlers keep the alert level high for strainers. The former Condit Dam site is easy to miss. Waterfalls cascade in over sheer basalt cliffs making this one of the most beautiful and dramactic sections along the entire river--a section that was hidden from view for over a century below the waters of Northwestern Reservoir. The dam was built in a bedrock notch with a nice pool downstream. It makes a great spot to stop and marvel at the scale of the restoration effort.
The reach downstream of the dam has been paddled prior to removal of the dam. In 1992 American Whitewater volunteers paddled for a study as part of relicensing with PacifiCorp and the National Park Service. This relicensing process eventually resulted in the removal of the dam, and the recovery of significant salmon habitat.
First timers should attempt this run at lower flows (around 2 feet) and work their way up. Summer groundwater flows tend to be steady and cold, making this another ideal run for the
...River Features
Northwestern Park Put-In
Access is available in Northwestern Park on the downstream river right side of the bridge.
Former Condit Dam Site
Looking back upstream towards the site of the former Condit Dam. Located at USGS River Mile 3.3.
Steelhead Falls
Steelhead Falls marks the entrance to the White Salmon Narrows. Located at USGS River Mile 2.7. The approach is recognized where the river takes a hard bend to the left and then bends back around to the right in a long straightaway. Catch an eddy high on the left to scout or portage as it is easy to proceed past the point of no return. The hole at the base of this drop can cause trouble. The portage around the left is made easier by handholds on the rock wall.
White Salmon Narrows
Immediately after Steelhead Falls the river enters the White Salmon Narrows, a spectacular basalt gorge. Although it can be intimidating from the top, the whitewater eases up as the river goes around the corner just past the point that is visible from above. Wood has lodged between the bedrock walls of this narrow gorge so use caution.
Condit Powerhouse
The powerhouse that has since been shut down and no longer diverts flow from the river. Located at USGS River Mile 2.0.
Final Rapid
Final Rapid on the White Salmon is one of the best class III rapids on the whole river. Located at USGS River Mile 1.3.
Fishermen's Access
This access comes at the end of the whitewater. You can hike up the trail here or paddle the flatwater down to the Columbia River and take-out at the confluence.
Columbia River Take-Out
Take-out at the Columbia River on the upstream river left side of the bridge.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAmerican Whitewater staff Kevin Colburn, Bethany Overfield, Evan Stafford, and Tom O'Keefe joined local board member Megi Morishita for a trip down the Lower Gorge of the White Salmon River. Flow was high but manageable and the run was class III with the exception of Steelhead Falls which we portaged. It was possible to make use of the installed handholds and pass boats over and launch below the second hole downstream of Steelhead Falls. There were a few pieces of wood in play and one log spanning the river that we were easily able to get under as we approached the former Condit Dam site.
An evening site visit to the former site of the Condit Dam nearly a decade after the dam was breached and removed. You can hardly tell where the dam and trees are quickly growing up in the former reservoir lands.
As of August 2014 the only riverwide wood on this section was a new piece in the class I-II section immediately below Northwestern Park. The log jam below Steelhead has cleared, but could reform after any high water. The wood in the narrows after the right bend below Steelhead is still present, but can be avoided.
A celebratory run down the Lower Gorge of the White Salmon River following the complete removal of Condit Dam. This event was filmed by Patagonia and appears in the film DamNation.
Log jam that formed from debris associated with the Condit Dam breach.
With Condit Dam nearing completion, American Whitewater had the opportunity to scout out the entrance to the White Salmon Narrows.
Site visit and tour of Condit Dam as part of a field trip associated with River Rally co-hosted by American Whitewater.
On October 30th, 2011 Condit Dam was breached with an explosive blast that drained the reservoir in an hour.
Confluence of the White Salmon with the Bonneville Pool on the Columbia River.
A trip through the Lower Gorge prior to the removal of Condit Dam.