Lower Poplar Hill Falls

Class IV above 5000 cfs. This is the biggest rapid on the river. The river channels to the left bank and drops through a long boulder and hole strewn path. Boat scouting is the easiest way to run. Lookout for a nice wave train that leads right into a hole at the top.

There was a fatality here in May 2016 where an adult raft passenger fell out of a raft when the raft tilted going thru a big breaking wave left-of-center in the first quarter of the rapid (about 50-100 yards above the Fry-o-lator hole).  The passenger immediately went unresponsive after entering the ~45-degree water; and was pulled into the raft within a minute. No heartbeat was detected, CPR was started immediately and continued throughout the trip to the hospital. Swims are common in this rapid; there are no significant river features at the site of the accident that appear to pose an undue risk.  The victim was wearing a full wet suit, but since this is the final rapid of a long 12-mile trip, exhaustion or cold are likely the most significant contributing factors to the accident.