Lower Owyhee River

The Lower Owyhee River is a Wild and Scenic River in SE Oregon with interesting geology, deep canyons, side canyon hikes, historical sites, and hot springs (rustic). Packrafting the Lower Owyhee from Rome to Leslie Gulch is 77.2 miles, with Class III rapids typically paddled between March and June as the flow depends on snowmelt.

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.

Flows at upstream gages are also useful for predicting flows:

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.

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.

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. Most rapids are relatively short.

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

Car Shuttles

BML office in Vale 451-473-3144 fora  list of shuttle services

Judy’s Adventure 458-224-9165 (no Thursdays)

Owyhee River Runners 541-390-02331 

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.”

Other requirements

The BLM requires that parties carry one spare paddle for every three boats.

Campfires must be contained in a metal fire pan or on a fire blanket that protects the ground from scarring and ash. All unburned contents of the fire including ash must be removed and carried out of the river corridor.

Emergency hikeouts: Pruill’s Castle, Lambert Dome, Pothole.

  • Difficulty: *Varies*, Class III+ River, Class IV River
  • Length: 77.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 600 ft
  • 3,600 ft
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