Lower Owyhee River

Trip

Whitewater Packraft - Lower Owyhee River

A 5 day paddle on the Lower Owyhee - spicy rapids, canyon hikes, and rustic hotsprings on this wild and scenic river in an isolate area of SW Oregon.

  • *Varies*, Class III+ River, Class IV River
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 77.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 600 ft

Overview

The plan is to paddle 10 - 15 miles per day with time to hike, explore the area, and scope difficult rapids.  

River Difficulty

The lower section has 10+ class III rapids and two can be rated as class IV in lower flows (<750 cfs) and scouting recommended (Whistling Bird, Montgomery). The lower section also has a pool-and-drop character, where pools of quiet water extend to the lip of rapids before falling sharply over rapids into other pools.   This requires participants to have solid whitewater skills and experience. 

Expenses: Shared trip expenses include: shuttle cost  - we will arrange a shuttle from Rome to  Birch Creek (ideally if weather allows) or  Leslie Gulch. Approximately,  $220 per vehicle.

How to Join: Read through the trip description, goals, and expectations. If the trip interests you and you feel this trip is within your ability, contact the trip leader to discuss before signing up.

Goals

  • Be safe: participate in planning and make  decisions with risk management in mind
  • Have fun and enjoy being on the trip regardless of conditions, which could be cold and snowy or warm and sunny
  • Enjoy one another’s company and create a positive culture of mutual supportiveness, respect, and kindness
  • Explore historical sites, side canyons, and other places of interest

Expectations

  • Actively contribute to achieving the group’s goals
  • Participate in group decisions and abide by decisions made by the group or the leader
  • Spend 5 days in your boat, covering about 5 - 20 miles/day including potential of 15 miles of flatwater.
  • Be able to assess whether you can safely paddle versus portage a rapid
  • When river conditions are more difficult, maintain group awareness and positioning to help one another
  • Don’t take risks, on or off the river, that other group members don’t support

Style

  • Daily routine will be to get up about when the sun hits camp for warmth, have a relaxed breakfast, be on the water mid-morning, camp by 3pm-5pm, have time for relaxed evening
  • We'll spend time outside of our boats exploring side canyons, historical sites, and other features of interest
  • Decision-making will be collaborative and by consensus whenever possible
  • No fires

Put-ins & Take-outs

Rome put-in

  • Rome: on the upstream river right side of the bridge in Rome at a site administered by the Bureau of Land Management. It can be busy when flows are optimal. Camping is allowed. 

Take-outs

  • Mile 50: Birch Creek is on the right. The road requires a high clearance 4WD and some creek crossings. If this access is not washed out or closed, it is best to end your trip here. Going further involves crossing many miles of flat water reservoir to get to the next takeout, Leslie Gulch. If you do have to pass Birch Creek, you can hire a boat to tow you across the slackwater.
  • Mile 67: Alternate take out at Leslie Gulch on river right.

FLOW

  • USGS Gauge: Owyhee River NR Rome OR - USGS Water Data for the Nation
  • American Whitewater recommended flow range for the lower section of 750 – 10,000 cfs. At flows <750cfu two rapids become Class IV.
  • Snowpack information for the Owyhee River Basin (see USDA NRCS web site) can be used for predicting flows. When the snowpack at South Mountain goes to zero, the Owyhee typically drops below 900 cfs. When the snowpack at Jack Creek Upper goes to zero, the river typically drops below 300 cfs.

ON THE RIVER

Commercial outfitters routinely run this river so the put-in can be very busy. Campsites are plentiful, first come, and are identified in the river guide.This small pocket of Oregon is the only part of the state that runs on Mountain Time, so set your clocks accordingly.

LOGISTICS

 Permits: Self-issued at put-in:  idaho_OwyheeWSRRiver_permit1.pdf

Guides, Maps & Online Resources

Water: Water is reliably available from Jordan Creek, Weeping Wall Spring, and Jackson Creek.

Human Waste: Human waste must be carried out in a “leak-proof, animal-proof, hard-sided container with a screw-on or ratchet-locking lid.

We will drive to Rome Oregan, Owyhee River Put In - Google Maps  on Sunday April 20th, camp at the put-in, and launch on  Monday April 21st.   It is approximately an 8 hour drive from Seattle.  

Route/Place

Lower Owyhee River


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Minimum Equipment for each participant 

  • Packraft, with grab lines on bow and stern
  • Paddle, sized for a packraft
  • Life jacket, PFD Class III or better
  • Whitewater helmet
  • Drysuit or thick wetsuit
  • Closed-toe shoes, no sandals
  • Spare clothing
  • Boat repair kit
  • Waterproof Whistle
  • Minimum Equipment for the party

Minimum Equipment for the party 

  • Rescue rope and throw bag, one or more as needed for the trip 
  • Spare paddle, one or more
  • First Aid kit
Trip Reports