Blackfoot

On 8/18/2024 a group of 6 Packrafters floated this section. This report is written from the perspective of a packrafter (draft around 4-6 in and beam around 3 ft) At the time of this writing, the gauge below the dam at Blackfoot Reservoir was not reporting; a gauge further downstream (USGS 13066000 BLACKFOOT RIVER NR SHELLEY ID) was referenced for flows. It should be noted that between the dam and this downstream gauge, there are at least a few small streams that may contribute to flows recorded there that would not be contributing to flow rates higher up, closer to the dam. At 440 cfs, this rafter finds the river to be unsuitable for any vessel larger than a single or double occupancy small raft. Drift Boats, larger rafts, and even canoes may have great difficulty with the shallow/rocky river bottom in some areas and narrow passages between boulders/trees etc.

This stretch is mostly lazy with a couple short class II/III rapid sections in the last few miles around 43°06'20.2'N 111°53'47.1'W. Here the river narrows and picks up speed, there are boulders and trees on either side but a straight shot down the middle seems to be the best (and most fun) route. Another couple hundred feet downstream is another short rapid section of similar magnitude and approach as the first.

Apart from the above mentioned rapid sections, there were several areas that were shallow enough that multiple party members had to get out of the boats and walk them for 20-30 ft at a time. Many more areas could be floated with some bottom-scraping, but not requiring exiting the boats. There are many opportunities for camping along this river, both dispersed and in established fee-free BLM campgrounds equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Several bald eagles were seen along this route as well as other raptors and water birds (cormorants, ducks, and herons). Several muskrats were seen surfacing in the river. A bear was also seen from the river in one spot and bear scat in another location while scouting the river (keep a clean and secured camp).