Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge · IDAHO CITY ATLANTA BOISE PINE FAIRFIELD MOUNTAIN HOME GRAND VIEW...
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Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS BOATING GUIDE IDAHO / NEVADA / OREGON U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management
Transcript of Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge · IDAHO CITY ATLANTA BOISE PINE FAIRFIELD MOUNTAIN HOME GRAND VIEW...
Owyhee, Bruneau and JarbidgeWILD AND SCENIC RIVERS BOATING GUIDE
IDAHO / NEVADA / OREGON
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
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Duck Valley
Indian
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Fort McDermitt
Indian Reservation
THREE FORKS
AND ROME
SHUTTLE ROUTES
UPPER OWYHEE
SHUTTLE
ROUTES
LOWER OWYHEE
SHUTTLE
ROUTES
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PARMA
ADRIAN MIDDLETON
CALDWELL
HOMEDALE
EAGLE
MERIDIAN
MARSING
BOISE
NAMPA
KUNA
MELBA
MURPHY
AROCK
JORDAN VALLEY
SILVER CITY
MCDERMITT
OROVADA
PARADISE
VALLEY
YP Launch
Site
South Fork
Pipeline
Launch Site
45 Ranch
Launch Site
Garat Crossing
Launch Site
Crutcher
Crossing
Launch Site
Three Forks
Launch Site
Rome
Launch
Site
Birch
Creek
Takeout
Leslie
Gulch
Boat Ramp
N E V A D A
O R E G O N
N E V A D A
I D A H O
OREGON
IDAHO
GENERAL LOCATION
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JARBIDGE
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U.S. AIR FORCE
SAYLOR CREEK
TRAINING RANGE
IDAHO CITYATLANTA
BOISE
PINE
FAIRFIELD
MOUNTAIN HOME
GRAND
VIEWGLENNS
FERRY
BRUNEAU
BLISS
GOODING
HAGERMAN
WENDELL
JEROME
BUHL FILER
CASTLEFORD
OWYHEE
MOUNTAIN CITY
JACKPOT
JARBIDGE
Jarbidge
Launch
Site
Bruneau
Launch
Site
Bruneau
River
Take Out
N E V A D A
I D A H O
Location and Shuttle Maps Legend
" Town/City
Highway
Other Road
River
Waterbody
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River Access
Restrooms
!E Trailhead
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RIVER MILES SOUTH FORK OF THE OWYHEE RIVER
—YP Ranch to the South Fork Launch Site: 20 miles
—Nevada Pipeline Crossing to 45 Ranch: 25 miles
—45 Ranch to Three Forks: 45 miles
EAST FORK OF THE OWYHEE RIVER
—Duck Valley to Garat Crossing: 23 miles
—Garat Crossing to Rickert Crossing: 28 miles
—Garat Crossing to Crutcher Crossing: 42 miles
MAIN OWYHEE RIVER
—Crutcher Crossing to Three Forks: 35 miles
—Three Forks to Rome: 37 miles
—Rome to Birch Creek: 50 miles
—Birch Creek to Leslie Gulch: 19 miles
JARBIDGE RIVER
—Murphy Hot Springs to the Bruneau Launch Site at Indian Hot
Springs: 30.5 miles
BRUNEAU RIVER
—Bruneau Launch Site to the Bruneau River Take Out: 41 miles
WHITEWATER CLASSES
Rapid ratings are a general guide to relative difficulty. Severe weather condi-
tions, extreme water levels and remote locations all contribute to the danger
of white water boating.
Class I Small waves, passages clear, no serious obstacles.
Class II Medium-sized, regular waves; passages clear,
some maneuvering may be required.
Class III Waves are numerous, high and irregular; rocks, eddies, narrow
passages; scouting usually required.
Class IV Powerful, irregular waves; boiling eddies; dangerous rocks;
congested passages; precise maneuvering required;
scouting mandatory.
Class V Exceedingly difficult; violent rapids often following each
other without interruption; big drops, violent current,
scouting mandatory, but often difficult.
Class VI Limit of navigability, generally considered unrunnable.
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CONTENTS
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4
5
7
9
12
14
16
20
21
22 (SF 1)
29 (EF 1)
36 (OR 1)
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53
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60
61
62 (J 1)
65 (B 1)
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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Introduction
Requirements and Laws
Safety
Ethics
Natural History
Human History
OWYHEE RIVER
Boater Skills Requirements
Spring Float Season and River Flow
River Access Maps
Location Map
Map Legend
South Fork Owyhee Maps
East Fork Owyhee Maps
Main Owyhee Maps
BRUNEAU & JARBIDGE RIVERS
Boater Skills Requirements
Spring Float Season
Summer Float Season and River Flow
River and Access Maps
Location Map
Map Legend
Jarbidge Maps
Bruneau Maps
CONTACTS
Emergency, Outfitters and Agencies
cover photo: Bruneau River, Tipton Power
v
INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the public land of the
Owyhee Canyonlands, a huge and remote area of eastern Oregon, south-
western Idaho and northern Nevada. Hidden within this vast high desert
plateau are deep canyons carved by the Owyhee, Bruneau, and Jarbidge
Rivers.
The rivers of the Owyhee and Bruneau-Jarbidge systems offer something
for nearly every level of boating experience. The Owyhee and Bruneau-
Jarbidge river systems provide visitors with unsurpassed solitude in can-
yons of unique beauty and form. From placid pools to turbulent white-
water; from vertical cliffs to steep grassy slopes; and from wildlife, such as
California bighorn sheep to wildflowers, including the Bruneau River flox,
these rivers and their canyons present visitors with challenging and ex-
traordinary experiences.
In 1968, Congress enacted the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, es-
tablishing a system for preserving outstanding free-flowing rivers. In
1984, Congress designated 120 miles of the Owyhee River in Oregon as a
wild river component of the National Wild and Scenic River System. The
Owyhee National Wild River extends from the Oregon-Idaho border to the
Owyhee Reservoir, excluding 14 miles near Rome, Oregon. A wild river
designation is intended to protect the free-flowing character of the river,
along with its outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, wild-
life, and cultural values.
In 2001, the Owyhee County Commissioners convened a diverse array of
interests with the goal to find common ground solutions to public land
issues in Owyhee County, including protection of the ranching way of
life, wild canyons, rivers, and cultural resources. Chaired by attorney Fred
Grant, the Owyhee Initiative was born.
In 2006, the Owyhee Initiative produced an agreement with public input
that set the course to protect cultural resources and the viability of the
ranching economy as well as designate the very best of the Owyhee can-
yonlands as wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.
Senator Mike Crapo introduced the Owyhee Public Lands Management
Act in the U.S. Congress as part of the implementation of the 2006 Owyhee
Initiative agreement. The Act, passed Congress and signed by President
Obama in 2009, designated 6 wilderness areas and 317 miles of Wild and
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
1
Scenic River in Owyhee County, Idaho, that consists of 16 different river
segments. Wild and Scenic segments in the Owyhee River system are:
Battle Creek (wild)—23.4 miles,
Big Jacks Creek (wild)—35.0 miles,
Cottonwood Creek (wild)—2.6 miles,
Deep Creek (wild)—13.1 miles,
Dickshooter Creek (wild)—9.25 miles,
Duncan Creek (wild)—0.9 miles,
Little Jacks Creek (wild)—12.4 miles,
North Fork Owyhee River (recreational)—5.7 miles; (wild)—15.1 miles,
Owyhee River (wild)—67.3 miles,
Red Canyon Creek (wild)—4.6 miles,
South Fork Owyhee River (wild)—31.4 miles; (recreational) - 1.2 miles,
and Wickahoney Creek (wild)—1.5 miles.
The Wild and Scenic segments within the Bruneau and Jarbidge rivers;
Bruneau River (wild)— 39.3 miles; (recreational)—0.6 miles,
Jarbidge River (wild)—28.8 miles,
Sheep Creek (wild)—25.6 miles, and
West Fork Bruneau River (wild)—0.35 miles.
Jarbidge River, Casey Steenhoven
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REQUIREMENTS AND LAWS
PERMIT
All parties launching on the Owyhee, Bruneau or Jarbidge River Systems
must complete a registration form at the launch site. The top copy goes in
the registration box at the launch site. The bottom copy is carried by the
trip leader on the river. While on the river, the registration form must be
presented upon request by any BLM, State, or County employee.
INVASIVE SPECIES LAWS
Under this new law, the owner of any
non-motorized vessel in Idaho (canoe, kayak, raft, driftboat, etc.) is re-
quired to purchase and display Idaho Invasive Species Fund (IISF) stickers
on their vessel(s) in order to legally launch and operate in Idaho. Inflat-
able, non-motorized vessels under 10 feet in length are exempt from this
requirement in Idaho. In Oregon, an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
(AISP) permit is required for all watercraft greater than 10 feet in length.
HUMAN WASTE
An adequate-sized, approved water tight
portable toilet system must be used on
all float trips. Approved portable toilets
are non-biodegradable, rigid, durable, and
designed to receive and hold human waste
without leaking. They are designed to be
emptied using the approved protocol at an
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-
approved RV dump station and/or SCAT machine at the end of each trip.
Toilets CANNOT be dumped in any BLM vault toilet. Plastic bag liners
are not acceptable with the exception of solid human waste pouches, such
as WAG bags and RESTOP 2 bag systems that are approved by the Idaho
Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Portable RV toilets are not ap-
proved for boating trips.
URINATIONUrinate directly into the river. Urine deposited on land,
especially around well-used campsites, creates an
unpleasant odor and attracts insects.
WASTE WATERUse biodegradable soap for washing dishes.
Strain all dish and rinse water before scattering
it broadly 200 feet away from the river and camp. Broadcast onto soil
with vegetation. In camps where there isn’t 200 feet of space, dispose
waste water as far from the river as possible. Leftover liquids from cook-
ing, drinking and draining canned foods along with toothpaste waste can
be deposited directly into the river.
zebra mussels–aquatic invasive species
portable toilet
portable toilet
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FIRE PAN OR BLANKETS
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 shall be removed and carried out of the river
corridor. In Malheur County, Oregon, you may be fined up to $500 for not
bringing a fire pan on the Owyhee River.
FIREWOOD
Do not cut or destroy standing live or dead vegetation. Oregon law re-
quires that you carry your own firewood when floating downstream from
the Rome launch site.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS
All seasonal fire restrictions must be followed in the river corridor. Fire-
works are strictly prohibited.
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL MATERIALS
Federal and State laws strictly forbid disturbance or vandalism of cultural
sites (such as petroglyphs) or the removal of arrowheads or other cultural
artifacts. Collection and removal of historic artifacts or vandalism of his-
toric sites (any site or object over 50 years old) is also prohibited by Federal
law.
HOT SPRINGS
Natural hot springs exist in the Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge River
Systems that support protected plants and animals. Federal and State laws
prohibit digging, damming, or otherwise altering the natural flow or ap-
pearance of hot springs.
PARTY SIZE
Float groups in the Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers, and in the Owyhee River
System upstream from the Rome launch site are restricted to 15 persons,
while float groups on the Owyhee River downstream from the Rome
launch site are restricted to 20 persons.
MOTORIZED WATER CRAFT
Motorized water craft, including electric motors, are prohibited in the
Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers, Owyhee River and other wilderness areas in
Owyhee County.
CAMPING
Camping in any area posted by BLM as “Closed” is prohibited.
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AIRCRAFT INCLUDING UAF (drones)
Landings are prohibited in the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers, Owyhee River and
other wilderness areas in Owyhee County.
PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY
On the Bruneau River, part of the main launch site and the takeout are on
private land. On the South Fork of the Owyhee, the YP Ranch launch site
and the 45 Ranch launch and takeout are on private land. Other private
property is shown on the river maps. Please be respectful of private prop-
erty and private property owners.
SAFETY The Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers and Owyhee River wilderness areas are
remote. Once you enter these canyons, you will be a long way from help.
Cell phone coverage is spotty and unreliable. You must be prepared to
handle all problems and emergencies on your own. Be prepared for the
unexpected.
Learn as much as possible about the river you plan to float. Hazards and
the difficulty of the river change depending on the water level. Some
portions of these rivers are recommended only for the most experienced
boaters.
Check your boat and other equipment in advance and make necessary
repairs or replacements. Carry patching equipment for emergency boat
repairs. Carry at least one extra oar or paddle per boat to replace those
that become lost or broken. Each raft should be equipped with long bow
and stern lines.
Oregon, Idaho and Nevada state laws require that you carry a U.S. Coast
Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person in the
party. Wear your PFD at all times while on the river, even during the shal-
low summer boating season. Rafting parties should carry one
extra PFD per raft, and kayak parties should carry at least one extra per party.
Carry an adequate first-aid kit to handle emergencies. You will be a long
way from medical help.
When in doubt, scout. Most segments of these rivers have rapids or other
hazards that can’t be seen until you are on top of them. There are also sev-
eral portages. If you are unsure of what is ahead, pull over to the shore and
take a look from the bank.
5
Watch your step. Most river accidents happen within 10 feet of shore, usu-
ally slips, trips and falls. Choose hiking boots or river sandals that provide
good traction on wet rocks.
Most accidents happen at home. On a river trip, your camp is your home.
It is where you will handle sharp knives and hot stoves, and encounter
insects, rattlesnakes and poison ivy.
Poison ivy is common along the Bruneau, Jarbidge and some sections of
the Owyhee river corridors. It is a shrubby, non-twining plant that grows
in sunny and shady areas. Contact with any portion of the plant may cause
a severe rash. From late spring through fall the plant can be recognized by
the broad leaves arranged in groups of 3 or 5 off the same stem. It appears
as numerous, silvery-gray, rounded stems growing up to 3 feet tall. With a
little care, this plant can be easily recognized and avoided.
ETHICS
To prevent overuse of the river corridors, limit your trips to one per year
on each of the river segments. Keep noise levels low when you float by
other parties. Remember, one of the reasons you’re here is to get away
from the noise of civilization.
CAMP AND TRAVEL ON DURABLE SURFACES
You can minimize your impacts and preserve the wild nature of the rivers
by using established campsites. Camp on gravel or sand bars to avoid
trampling vegetation. Avoid the fragile green riparian areas along the river
banks. Kitchens should be set up in as durable a site as possible; sand or
rocks are good places. Avoid cutting new trails. Stay on established trails.
Poison Ivy
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LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
An archaeological artifact may have been in place for hundreds of years.
A rock may have lain in place for millions. Allow others a sense of discovery
by leaving plants, rocks, archaeological artifacts and all other objects of
beauty or interest as you find them. Collecting or disturbing artifacts and
historic objects is prohibited by federal law.
MINIMIZE THE USE AND IMPACT OF FIRE
A gas stove is clean and easy to use, and causes no permanent impacts. If
you choose to have a fire, fire pans are required throughout the Bruneau,
Jarbidge and Owyhee river systems. If your fire pan is not equipped with
legs, elevate it with several rocks to avoid scorching the soil. Burn only dead
and down vegetation. Better yet, bring your own fire wood. Hackberry
trees and some shrubs appear to be dead during the primary boating sea-
son, but they are actually dormant. Standing vegetation is part of the can-
yon setting and should be left alone. Before leaving camp, extinguish your
fire and pack the debris out with you. Fire pan contents may be re-burned
in subsequent camp fires. All unburned contents of the fire including ash
shall be removed and carried out of the river corridor.
DISPOSE OF ALL WASTE PROPERLY
Carry out all your trash. Do not burn it. Much of the trash that looks
burnable is lined with plastic or foil, which leaves a residue that will linger
for many years. For waste and waste water see requirements and laws on
page 2.
AVOID DISTURBING WILDLIFE
If you encounter nesting broods of waterfowl, stay as far away from
them as possible. To protect wildlife, as well as other visitors, discharging
firearms is discouraged except during designated hunting seasons. If you
bring a dog along, keep it under control at all times and pack out dog
waste.
Rattlesnake
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Oregon
IDAHO
Utah
Nevada
Wyoming
Montana
McDermott16 million yrs.
OwyheeHumboldt
13 million yrs.
Bruneau
Jarbidge
12 million yrs.
Twin Falls9 million yrs.
Picabo10 million yrs.
Heise6.5 million yrs.
Yellowstone0.6-4.3 million yrs.BOISE
NORTH
YouAreHere
The current locationof the moving continentover the SAME hot spot.
continent m
oving southwest
NATURAL HISTORYGEOLOGY
The geology of the Bruneau-Jarbidge and Owyhee Canyons is spectacu-
lar, especially from the vantage point of a white-water craft. You will find
yourself looking up at the caves, columns, and spire-like hoodoos tower-
ing hundreds of feet above. These natural monuments are carved by the
river as it exploits weak layers of the volcanic rock. As interesting as these
features are, the most unique aspects of southwestern Idaho’s geology are
so large they are nearly impossible to see. For example, the volcanism in
the Bruneau-Jarbidge area formed an oval basin 60 miles long by 30 miles
wide.
The geology of the canyons is shaped by an astounding combination of
volcanism, glacial melt, and regional drainage patterns. The Bruneau-
Jarbidge and Owyhee areas were the sites of two massive volcanic eruptive
centers, fueled by what is dubbed the Yellowstone Hotspot. When tectonic
plates slowly move over molten hotspots, large eruptions are inevitable.
The Owyhee-Humboldt eruptive center was active about 13.8 to 12 mil-
lion years ago. Although it is over 1 million years older than the Bruneau-
Jarbidge eruptive center, the size of the explosions and the rock types of
the two areas are very similar. In each area, there were multiple events of
volcanic activity related to the hotspot.
Both the Owyhee-Humboldt and Bruneau-Jarbidge eruptive centers began
with very explosive events that led to gradual collapse, creating basins. The
next series of events was the eruption of massive rhyolite flows that filled
the basins, the largest flow was over 200 cubic kilometers. Basaltic erup-
tions followed. Then, about two million years ago, glacial rivers slowly
began to carve out the extraordinary canyons that we see today, brilliantly
showcasing the events of the last 13 million years.
Regional Super Volcanos
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BOTANY
The steep canyon walls, boulder fields, and
rock crevices along the Bruneau, Jarbidge
and Owyhee Rivers provide unique
habitats in an area more commonly
dominated by rolling hills and wide
plateaus. Several rare plants occupy
the niches created by these three
rivers. The Bruneau River phlox
(Leptodactylon glabrum) occurs
in vertical or overhanging rhyolitic
canyon walls along the inner Bruneau and
Jarbidge River Canyons. The entire known extent of Bruneau River phlox
in Idaho occurs within approximately 35 miles on the Bruneau, West Fork
of the Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers. It is a white flowered and matted plant
that clings to ledges, rock crevices, and cliffs. The vertical, cliff-side posi-
tion of the Bruneau River phlox may provide protection from late season
frosts (Patterson and Yoder-Williams 1984) and hazardous deposits of
debris and mud during storm events.
The Owyhee River System is home to another
rare plant, the Owyhee River forget-me-not
(Hackelia ophiobia). Found nowhere
else but this river system, this species
occupies North facing vertical
rhyolitic cliffs, sheltered crevices,
and shady grottos. The pale blue
flowers of this species contrast sharply
with the backdrop of dark volcanic rock.
May and June are the best time to view this
species in full flower. Owyhee River forget-
me-not can be found with other cliff dwelling species such as mountain
snowberry, red alumroot, prickly phlox, and desert gooseberry.
WILDLIFE
The sagebrush plateaus of the Owyhee Uplands are bisected by deep
canyons that provide habitat for over 200 species of wildlife. Some of the
best remaining habitat for greater sage grouse is found in the Owyhee
Uplands. While driving to the rivers across the sagebrush sea look for
pronghorn (antelope), American badger, jack, pygmy, and cotton-tail rab-
bits, northern harrier, ferruginous hawk, mountain bluebird, sage thrasher,
horned lark, and many reptile species. Chukar partridge are abundant
throughout the canyonlands. Search the skyline in the river canyons to see
soaring golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, kestrel, prairie
Owyhee Prickly-phlox
Bruneau River Prickly Phlox
Rattlesnake Stickseed
Owyhee River forget-me-not
9
falcons, and swal-
lows that nest
along the cliff
faces. Songbirds
including the
showy lazuli
bunting, Bullock’s
oriole, yellow
warbler, and
western tanager
are frequently
observed from
late April-May
in the trees and
shrubs along the
river riparian
areas. Between
rapids, waterfowl
including Canada
goose, mallard,
redhead, lesser
scaup, common merganser and teal species are a common sight. The song
of the canyon wren is familiar to those who spend time in the desert canyons
of eastern Oregon and southwest Idaho. Mammals such as California big-
horn sheep, mule deer, coyote, bobcat, river otter, marmot, and beaver are
often spotted during river trips.
HUMAN HISTORY
Cultural resources are defined as definite locations of human activity.
These locations include historic structures, archaeological sites, or places
that have important public and scientific uses. Often times, these sites are
of traditional or religious importance to social or cultural groups. Cultural
history in the canyons ranges from ancient fish operations to cattle-driving
legacies and more recently to the culture of white-water recreation.
Throughout the history of these canyons, one pattern of cultural use is
quite clear: these canyons have always been a site of visitation, but rarely
have they been a site of permanent residence. The canyons have been both
revered for their natural resources and feared for their inaccessibility and
many potential dangers, such as swift water, steep cliffs, rock fall, predators,
and rough terrain. Valued resources include stones for tool making and
gem collecting, fish, game, water, and rock shelters.
The ancestors of the Shoshone-Paiute and Shoshone-Bannock peoples
10
have used these canyonlands for thousands of years. A Native American
legend about a dangerous creature that lived in the Jarbidge canyon
supports the idea that ancient peoples avoided living there long-term.
The creature was called Tsa-hau-bitts or Jahabich, loosely translating to
“evil spirit”. Through many English interpretations of these names, the
area eventually became known as Jarbidge.
The Bruneau River was either named by its French translation of ‘brown
water’ or after a French explorer by the name of Jean-Baptiste Bruneau.
Native Americans used the canyonlands for shelter, weaponry, fish and
game, and water for thousands of years. They left rock-art and other
artifacts behind in a few locations. The canyonlands are still a vital part of
their lives today.
Cowboys historically used the Cougar Creek Arch as a place to find
community and relax while driving cattle. They also left their marks on
the sheltered canyon walls.
A few homesteaders chose the canyons as a place that was well-suited for
collecting water, hunting game, and perhaps using nearby thermal pools.
These homesteads were most likely not permanently inhabited for very
long due to the harsh environment of the isolated canyons. Many of the
abandoned sites seen in the area today were most likely used as line-shacks
for cattle driving operations. The cabin at Indian Hot Springs exhibits a
prime location providing access to a river crossing in order to drive cattle
or sheep from one side of the canyon to the other. There is also a historic
cabin foundation near the Murphy Hot Springs launch site.
Homestead on East Fork of the Owyhee River, Seth Tonsmeire
11
Mining claims for Bruneau Jasper and other gem stones in the area were
first filed in the 1950s. There is very little ore left to extract in these loca-
tions.
Today boaters, hunters, and fishermen seek the solitude and beauty of the
canyons. The white water is a place for both adventure and a relaxing envi-
ronment for fishing as well.
Recreational values are not to be confused with traditional cultural values
—they are very different. However, it is important to recognize that the
groups of people using the canyons today also represent a culture. By fish-
ing in the Jarbidge or floating the Bruneau, people today are preserving a
culture of adventure and solitary recreation within the sheltered canyons of
the Wild and Scenic River designations.
Chinook salmon were reintroduced into the East Fork of the Owyhee River in 2015 after an absence of 87 years to reestablish Shoshone-Paiute ceremonial and cultural practices that were nearly lost follow-ing the establishment of dams in the Columbia River Basin. The Shoshone Paiute Tribes worked with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to release almost 200 salmon between two fish weirs on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation.
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THE OWYHEE RIVER SYSTEM
BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UPPER OWYHEE
The upper Owyhee River system consists of the East, South and North
forks, and several major tributaries.
Due to the area’s remoteness, the upper Owyhee River is not recommended
for beginners. Although most of the upper Owyhee River is Class I, II and
III, and whitewater and hazards can be seen well ahead of time, the upper
Owyhee can be dangerous for those who are improperly equipped, inexpe-
rienced or careless. On the upper Owyhee, downstream from the conflu-
ence of the East Fork and South Fork, two Class IV/V rapids may require
portages or lining depending on the water level, type of equipment and
boater skill.
The East Fork is recommended for kayaks and whitewater canoes only,
due to two difficult portages located about seven and nine miles above the
confluence with the South Fork. In any flow other than high water, portag-
ing will be required on the upper East Fork if a launch is made at the Duck
Valley Indian Reservation. The Rome, Oregon USGS gauge is NOT an
indication of the water level in the East Fork. Floating is not recommended
unless water is near bank-full or higher on the Reservation.
One of the East Fork’s major tributary streams, Deep Creek, is boatable by
kayak or open canoe early in the float season. Although this stream has
no difficult rapids, it demands a high level of skill to negotiate its narrow
width and braided channels while avoiding thick, overhanging vegetation
and frequent strikes against gravel bars, streamside cliffs and fences.
The South Fork does not have portages for rafts or kayaks. Depending on
the water level, some portaging may be necessary at Class III rapids. Rafts
under 15’ are ideal for this section.
On the upper Main Owyhee, downstream from the confluence of the
South Fork and East Fork, two Class IV/V rapids may require portages or
lining depending on the water level, type of equipment, and boater skill.
The North Fork Owyhee River joins the Owyhee River at Three Forks, Or-
egon. This section is recommended for expert boaters in kayaks and small
catarafts. It is highly technical with a steep gradient, narrow
channel and frequent obstacles. After warming up on a few Class II-III
rapids, boaters will navigate consistent Class III-IV rapids (depending on
flow). The run is about 18 miles from the North Fork Campground to
Three Forks, and has plenty of nice places to camp. Trips can be launched
early in the float season from the North Fork Campground in Idaho.
13
BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MIDDLE OWYHEE RIVER
The 39-mile middle section of the main Owyhee River, from Three Forks
to Rome, is very challenging , and the middle section of the river is recom-
mended only for highly skilled whitewater boaters with medium-
sized rafts (14-15 foot), kayaks, catarafts or covered full-flotation canoes.
This section has a pool-and-drop character, where long sections of flat
water are interrupted by difficult Class III, IV and V+ rapids, including
long boulder gardens, heavy hydraulics and some very steep drops. These
conditions combine to preclude the use of small rafts, drift boats and open
canoes. Constricted channels and the possible need for portages make the
use of large rafts difficult.
Below: Thread the Needle, East Fork of the Owyhee River, Evan Worthington
14
BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LOWER OWYHEE RIVER
Numerous Class II, III and IV rapids on the 50- to 67-mile lower
section of the Owyhee River below Rome challenge the skills of boaters in
rafts, kayaks, and catarafts, making this the most popular section of the
river. 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 Class II to
IV rapids into other pools. Most rapids are relatively short.
THE SPRING FLOAT SEASON
The primary float season for the
entire Owyhee River system is from
March through early to mid-June.
During this season, changing weath-
er conditions can cause rapid fluctu-
ations in the water level, with flows
ranging from 1,000 to over 50,000
cubic feet per second (cfs). Be pre-
pared for severe weather, including
strong winds, rain and snow.
The only water-level gauge upstream
of Rome is at Crutcher Crossing on
the East Fork. Generally, the best
time to float the upper river is when
the water level at the Rome, Oregon
United States Geological Survey
(USGS) gauge is between 1,000 and
6,000 cfs.
April and May are usually the best
months for trips on the North Fork
and Deep Creek. The Rome USGS
gauge cannot be used to accurately
predict floatable levels on these two
waterways. For optimal conditions,
boat the Three Forks-to-Rome
section when the Rome gauge is
between 1,500 and 3,000 cfs. Below
Rome, the recommended float levels are between 800 and 10,000 cfs.
Low water runs on the Owyhee River are possible in canoes or kayaks at
flows under 800 cfs. Dragging boats over gravel bars and lining around
rapids can be expected. These low water runs are usually possible from
early June to mid-July, depending on snowpack and runoff.
15
OWYHEE RIVER FLOW INFORMATION
River Forecast Center (503) 261-9246
Idaho Department of Water Resources (208) 327-7865
Rome Launch Site Ranger Station (541) 586-2612
The USGS gauges for river flows are at Rome:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13181000&PARAmeter_
cd=00065,00060,0001
and
Crutcher Crossing (East Fork)
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13176400&PARAmeter_
cd=00065,00060,00010
Cable Rapid, Upper Owyhee River
16
"
"
"
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!¡!9!_45 RANCH
!¡RICKARD
CROSSING!¡CRUTCHER CROSSING
!¡SOUTH FORK LAUNCH SITE
!¡GARAT
CROSSING
PRIVATE PROPERTY.PERMISSION OF
LANDOWNERREQUIRED FOR
ACCESS
YP Ranch Launch Site
Approx. 16 miles upstream
Permission from landowner required for access
NO PUBLIC PARKING
ALLOWED ATPUMPING STATION
OWYHEECANYON WSA
SOUTHFORK OWYHEE
RIVER WSA
OWYHEE RIVERWILDERNESS
POLE CREEKWILDERNESS
OWYHEERIVER
WILDERNESS
BULL CAMP
BUTTE
5387'
FLATIRON
BUTTE
5374'
PIUTE
BUTTE
5272'
WHITEHORSE
BUTTE
5469'
BLACK TABLE
5289'
CASTRO
TABLE
5079'
STAR
RANCH TABLE
5289'
THE TULES
5013'
JUNE
GRASS TABLE
5413'
LAMBERT
TABLE
5617'
THE TONGUE
4826'
Pole
Creek
Bat t le
Cree
k
Petes
C
reek
Smi th Cr ee k
L
i tt l
eSmithCreek
Nicke l
Cre e kTh o
mas
Cree k
Deep
Cr eek
Brace Ranch
Star Ranch
TwinSprings
Ranch
N E V A D A
I D A H O
UPPER OWYHEE ACCESS MAP
17
"
!!
!́ !2 !̧
Owyhee, NV
To Bruneau, ID
To Elko, NV
PERMISSION REQUIRED FOR
RIVER ACCESS ON DUCK
VALLEY INDIAN RESERVATION.
OWYHEE RIVERWILDERNESS
OWYHEERIVER
WILDERNESS
BIG JACKSCREEK
WILDERNESS
BIG SPRINGS
BUTTE
6132'
DOLLAR
BUTTE
5810'
TURNER
BUTTE
6115'
TURNER
TABLE
6004'
225
51
Batt l e Cre e
k
Blue
Creek
Bel l
C re ek
Blue
C
reek
Bi g
Spr
ings
C ree k
L i ttl e B l ueC r e
e
k
Indian
C reek
Riddle
N E V A D A
I D A H O
F0 1 2 3 4 5
Miles
18
"
"
ACCESS TO THE MAIN OWYHEE RIVER, OREGON(Use BLM Jordan Valley and Mahogony Mountain 1:100,000 maps)
Birch Creek, OregonBirch Creek is 17 miles upstream from Leslie Gulch and 35 miles northwest of Jordan Valley. This takeout is reached via Highway 95 and Jordan Craters Rd.
This site is accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles; long trailers are not recommended. Overnight camping, toilets and potable water are available. The road may be temporarily closed when soils are saturated.
Leslie Gulch, Oregon
To access this take-out, take the Leslie Gulch road via the Succor Creek or McBride Creek roads, both of which intersect Highway 95 north of Jordan Valley. This site is accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles when roads are dry, but it
may be temporarily closed due to flash flooding. There are toilets, and camping is allowed at the Slocum Creek campground. There is no potable water. There is a designated boat ramp parking area for vehicles left overnight.
Due to slack water on Owyhee Reservoir, the last 10 to 12 miles upstream from Leslie Gulch has little or no current. Upstream winds are frequent.
!y!9!_ROME
LE
!y!9!_
BIRCH CREEK
!́Rome, OR
JORDANCRATERS
WSA
LOWEROWYHEE
CANYON WSA
SADDLEBUTTE
WSA
BLUECANYON
WSA
OWYHEEBREAKS
WSA
CLARKSBUTTE
WSA
DRYCREEK
BUTTES WSA
ROUND
MOUNTAIN
1399'
GRAHAMS HILL
1282'
LITTLE
OWYHEE BUTTE
1328'
OWYHEE
BUTTE
1389'
THREEMILE
HILL
1509'
LAVA BUTTE
1557'
SADDLE
BUTTE
1523'
CLARKS
BUTTE
1585'
DEER
BUTTE
1533'
IRON
POINT
1432'
SACRAMENTO
BUTTE
1456'
DIAMOND BUTTE
1199'
RED
BUTTE
1504'
£¤95
ROME
AROCK
Bi rchCree
k
B ullCre e k
Jac kson
Cre
ek
Mud
Cre ek
D ry Cre ek
Bog u s
Cre ek
FortC r eek
Roc
k
Cr eek
Ry e
gras s
Cre
e k
W h
i te
Ro ckC
r e ek
Information on dump stations is available from the BLM Vale District Office.
MAIN OWYHEE ACCESS MAP
19
"
"
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!!y!9!_
LESLIE GULCH
!́ !2 !̧
Jordan Valley, OR
!9!_
COW LAKESRECREATION SITE
!y
To M
arsin
g, ID
JORDAN CRATERSWSA
CLARKSBUTTE
WSA
DRY CREEKBUTTES
WSA
UPPERLESLIE
GULCH WSA
HONEYCOMBSWSA
SLOCUMCREEK WSA
RED
HILL
1721'
ROUND
PEAK
1909'
PARSNIP
PEAK
2008'
MAHOGANY
MOUNTAIN
2140'
CRISMAN
HILL
1527'
ROCKY
BUTTE
1605'
SMITH
BUTTE
1508'
ACTON
BUTTE
1364'
SPLIT
ROCK
5676'
POLE
CREEK TOP
5151'
£¤95
£¤95
DANNER
ROCKVILLE
McBr ideCre
ek
T r ou tCr e
ek
Jo
r danC reek
Jacks o
nCree k
West
Creek
ChimneyCre
ek
Ma hoganyCr eek
D
ead
Hor seCree
k
Ante l o peCreek
FishCreekTr
3 .1
CowC re
ek
M c c ain
Cre
e k
Spri ngC
re e
k
LoneTreeCreek
C antor
C r eek
Cattl e
Cr ee k
Hooke
r
C r e e k
Wi l sonCr e e
k
T hom asCr e e
k
Ja ckCreek
Schnabl e
Creek
Sl ocum
Cr eek
Par snip
C r e
ek
W hi s key Creek
W
ill ow
Cr eek
Cov
eCreek
SuccorCreek
Car te r
Cr eek
Rock Cr eek
D ogCreek
Sp r ingC r
eek
Fi sh
Creek
Bax te
rC
reek
RockCreek
D o wney C
reek
Po l eC re
ek
Posey
Cr eek
Dry
C reek
Old
M
a i
dsCr eek
Pole
BridgeCre
ek
M
inearCr e
e k
OwlCreek
OREGON
IDAHO
F0 1 2 3 4 5
Miles
20
USGS Quadrangle:
OWYHEE LOCATION MAP
21
OWYHEE MAP LEGEND
Land Status
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Indian Reservation
Private Land
State Land
BLM Wilderness (ID)
Non-Wilderness Access Route (cherrystem)
BLM Wilderness Study Area (NV, OR)
Coordinate System: Projection -
UTM Zone 11, Datum NAD 1983,
units in meters
Source Information: Land status,
hydrology, and transportation data
compiled from Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) resource base
data at a scale of 1:24,000. Contour
derived from U.S. Geological Survey
10 meter national elevation dataset
The official land records should be
checked for up-to-date status on
any specific tract of land. Recreation
information: BLM Boise, Twin Falls,
Vale and Elko District Offices.
Warning: Inclement weather
can make road surfaces impass-
able. Travel on unpaved routes
with properly equipped vehicles
and in good weather. This is an
extremely remote region. Plan
ahead. Take precautions. Patrols
are infrequent. Some roads cross
private land and may require
permission for access.
Even though every effort is made
to depict the road network, features
and descriptions accurately, BLM
cannot guarantee road classification
and/or positional accuracy of roads
and other features in all cases. No
warranty is made by the BLM for
use of this data for purposes not
intended by BLM.
0 21
Kilometers
0 10.5
Miles
Scale 1 : 48,000
Contour Interval = 100 feet
River
!
!
!
!
!! Stream
Wild and Scenic River Designation
E River Mile Marker
Portage or Lining Recommended
!¡ Launch Site
!9 Camping
!y Boat Launch
!_ Restroom
!= Historical Site
!? Latitude/Longitude Coordinate
Dam
Rapids Class II
Rapids Class III
Rapids Class IV
Rapids Class V
^̂]̂ Rapids Class VI
Road or 4WD Trail
Hiking Trail (non-mechanized)
Pipeline
Contour Line
Lake
Playa
Map Overlap
State Boundary
22
!?
E
E
E
E
!¡
EFourmile Creek
Sheep
Cr eek
Shutt
leRo
ute
ShuttleRoute
To Hwy
51 / 225
45 Ranch
E. Fork
To Petan Ranch
and Hwy 51 / 225
South
Fork
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 0
SF 2
SF 1
YP Launch Site
5000
5000
5000
5000
Pe
terso
n
Owyhee Canyon
Wilderness
Study Area
41° 48' 58"
-116° 31' 11"
4848 ft
Landowner permission
is required to launch
from the YP Ranch.
E
23
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!=
!9
!9
!9
E
South
Fork
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 5
MILE 10
SF 1
SF 3
SF 2
Twelvemile
50
00
5000 50
00
Owyhee Canyon
Wilderness
Study Area
Owyhee - Fur trappers, led by Donald
MacKenzie, explored the middle Snake
River region for the North West Fur
Company from 1818-1820. Three
Hawaiian trappers from the party were
sent to explore the Owyhee country, and
never returned. The expedition named
the region in their honor. Owyhee was
the traditional English spelling for
Hawaii at the time.
41° 50' 08"
-116° 33' 28"
4,826 feet
41° 54' 11"
-116° 36' 34"
4711 feet
E
24
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
!¡
!9
E
E
E
E
E
E
IDAHO
NEVADA
Shuttle Route
To Hwy 51 / 225
45 Ranch
E. Fork
South
Fork
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 20
MILE 15
Devil's Corral
Devil's Pinball
Battle Born
Northw
est Pipeline
SF 2
SF 4
SF 3
South Fork
Pipeline
Launch Site
5000
5000
5000
50
00
Owyhee Canyon
Wilderness
Study Area
South Fork Owyhee River
Wilderness Study Area
41° 54' 40"
-116° 36' 40"
4701 feet
41° 55' 45"
-116° 40' 13"
4662 feet
RUBBER
HILL
5404
BULL CAMP
BUTTE
1642
E
25
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!=
!9!9
!9
E
E
E
E
E
IDAHONEVADA
South
Fork
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 25
MILE 30
Battle Born
Stateline
SF 3
SF 5
SF 4
Bull Camp
5000
5000
50
00
5000
Owyhee River
Wilderness
South Fork
Owyhee River
Wilderness
Study Area
41° 01' 14"
-116° 43' 57"
4544 feet
42° 04' 19"
-116° 46' 22"
4478 feet
BULL CAMP
BUTTE
1642
E
26
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!=
!9
!9
!9
E
E
Walcot Cherrystem
Sou
th
Fork
Owyhee
River
R
iver
Owyh
ee
Little
Flow
MILE 35
MILE 40
Sentinel
45 Dam
SF 4
SF 6
SF 5
Coyote Hole
5000
5000
500 5000
50
00
5000
4500
Se
nti
ne
l
C a nyon
Owyhee River
Wilderness
42° 06' 10"
-116° 47' 15"
4449 feet
42° 10' 00"
-116° 51' 15"
4350 feet
E
27
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!¡
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!=
!¡
!9
E
EE
Shuttle Route
To Hwy
51 / 225
To Crutcher
Crossing
Shuttle Route
South
Fork
Ow
yhe e
River
East
Owyh
ee
Fork
River
Flow
MILE 45
MILE 50
MILE 55
MILE 58
45 Dam
SF 5
EF 5
SF 6
45 Ranch
Launch Site
Crutcher Crossing
Launch Site
5000
5000
4500
4500
5000
50005000
4500
Box C anyon
YP
De
sert
Sp
rin
gC
ree
kB
asi
n
Jun
ipe
rB
asin
Owyhee River
Wilderness
45 Ranch - From a letter by John D. Taylor
dated 2/8/37: In 1894 Taylor and Edson ran
5,000 horses in this area. In 1896, "4,500
cattle on and around this ranch. 1,000 head
the year around and the balance for six to
seven months."
42° 10' 04"
-116° 52' 20"
4350 feet
42° 13' 34"
-116° 53' 27"
4288 feet
E
28
Deep Creek, Seth Tonsmeire
29
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
East
Fork
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 0
MILE 5
Tombstone
EF 2
EF 1
5500
5500
5500
5500
5500
Duck
Valley
Indian
Reservation
Section of continuous Class III and III+ rapids in high water
Class II boulder gardens with narrow channels in low water
42° 04' 52"
-116° 16' 38"
5259 feet
42° 06' 22"
-116° 21' 04"
5033 feet
E
30
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
EE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
E
Juniper
Creek
Shu
ttle
Ro
ute
Ea
stFork
OwyheeRiver
Flow
MILE 10
MILE 15
MILE 20
Boulder NestPipeline
Raft Bridge
SidewinderTight Squeeze
Split River
Heartbreak Hotel
Northwest Pipeline
Natural Gas
Pipeline Pump
Station #28
EF 1
EF 3
EF 2
50005000
Ho
ldupC
anyo
n
H o l e
UpCanyon
Owyhee River
Wilderness
Canyon Geology - About 10 million
years ago, the canyonlands consisted
of rolling lava flows with rivers on the
surface. Over time, the water carved
through the basalt and rhyolite to form
cliffs that now range from 200 to over
1,000 feet in height.
42° 06' 08"
-116° 24' 00"
4980 feet
42° 08' 29"
-116° 27' 05"
4,862 feet
Portaging is required
in low to medium water
in this section of rapids.
E
31
!?
!?
E E
EE
E
E
EE
E
E
E
EE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
EE
E
!¡
!=
!9
!9
!9
!9
!=
!9
!9
!=
!=
!9
E
Ba t t le
Creek
Yato honey Creek
P i u te
C r e ek
Sh
utt
le R
ou
te
Wiley Cherrystem
East
Fork
Owyhee
R iv
er
Flow
MILE 0
MILE 5
MILE 10
MILE 15
MILE 20
EF 2
EF 4
EF 3
Garat Crossing
Launch Site
Wiley Ranch
5000 5000
5000
50
00
5000
5000
5000
The Tules
Owyhee River
Wilderness
Battle Creek was named for
a battle between European
Americans and Bannock Indians
that occurred near the creek in
July 1864. Among those killed
were Michael Jordan and James
Carroll, members of the original
party that discovered gold in the
Silver City area.
42° 14' 13"
-116° 31' 31"
4632 feet
42° 15' 13"
-116° 36' 31"
4508 feet
PIUTE
BUTTE
1607
E
32
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
EE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!=
!=!9
!9
!9
!9
^̂]̂
E
P i u te C r e ek
Deep
Creek
Shuttle RouteTo Mud Flat Road
Permission required,
road crosses private land
Ea
st
Fo
rk
Ow
yh
ee
Riv
er
Flow
MILE 25
MILE 30
Boulder Jam
Owyhee Falls
EF 3
EF 5
EF 4
5000
5000
5000
5000
4500
YP Desert
Cherry
Gulch
The
Dome
La
mbe rt Tab le
Ri m rock
Lam
be
rt
Go
rge
Owyhee River
Wilderness
Extreme Danger
Rapid at blind left turn.
Portage trail is river left.
Deep Creek was named for the steep
rock walls of the creek's canyon.
Rickard Crossing was named
after Wes Rickard, a local
rancher in the 1890s.
42° 15' 53"
-116° 38' 40"
4478 feet
42° 14' 51"
-116° 41' 56"
4419 feet
E
33
!?
!?
E
EE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!=
!¡
!9!9
EE
Red BasinCreek
Shuttle Route
Riv
er
Ow
yhee
E ast
Fork
Owyhee
Riv
er
SouthFork
Flow
MILE 35
MILE 40
MILE 45
Thread the Needle
Heaven's Window
House Rock
Series of Class II and III
EF 4
SF 6
OR 1
EF 5
Crutcher Crossing
Launch Site
50
00
4500
45
00
5000
4500
5000
5000
5000
4500
RedCanyo n
The
Tongue
Lambert
Gorge
Juniper Ba sin
Owyhee River
Wilderness
Crutcher Crossing was named for J.C. Crutcher,
a pioneer cattleman around 1887. The area
was homesteaded by Oley Skamfer beginning
in 1915. He built the structures, raised cattle
and horses, and grew hay here until 1952.
42° 17' 03"
-116° 50' 22"
4291 feet
42° 15' 56"
-116° 53' 20"
4235 feet
Possible Portage
Blind corner, scout river left
E
34
35
Owyhee River
36
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9E
Dukes Cr e ek
Oregon
Lake
OREGON
IDAHO
45 Ran
ch C
herrystem
Dukes V Cherrystem
Ow
yhee
River
Flow
MILE 50
MILE 55
Bald Mountain Canyon
EF 5
OR 2
OR 1
5000
5500
5000
45
00
50
00
50
00
BaldMou nta
inCa ny on
Owyhee River
Wilderness
Owyhee River
Canyon Wilderness
StudyArea
42° 19' 18"
-117° 01' 11"
4,191 feet
42° 17' 13"
-116° 55' 45"
4232 feet
E
37
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!=
!9
!9
!9
B ullCreek
Sharon
Cre ek
Dry Lakes
OREGON
IDAHO
Ow
yhe
e
Riv
er
Flow
MILE 60
Cabin
Cable
OR 3
OR 1
OR 2
5000
5000
50
00
45
00
5000
45
00
5000
4500
Owyhee River Canyon
Wilderness Study Area
The name for Cable Rapid
comes from the steel cable
that parallels the rapid along
the right bank. The cable
was installed in 1951 by
Prince Helfrich and Bobby
Pruitt, fishing guides, who
pioneered drift boating in
areas of Oregon and Idaho.
The cable facilitated portaging
heavy McKenzie River drift boats
around this dangerous rapid.
42° 21' 34"
-117° 03' 11"
4165 feet
Wooden cabin on river right upsteam of
Cabin Rapid was built by Beaver Charlie,
at the foot of Beaver Charlie Breaks. The
cabin is also known as the Stateline Cabin.
42° 23' 34"
-117° 06' 42"
4071 feet
E
38
!?
!?
E
EE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9!9!=
!9
!9
!9!9
!9
E
Big AntelopeCreek
JuniperC
re
ek
West
Litt
le
Owyh
ee
Owyhee
R
iver
Flow
River
MILE 65
MILE 70
MILE 75
OR 2
OR 4
OR 3
Five Bar
(private)
4500
4500
4500
5000
4500
45004000
45
00
4500
Lou
se
C
an
yon
Sout h
Canyon
Drummond Breaks
W
a rm
Sp
ri n gs
Canyon
Whiskey
Gu
lc h
Cross
Owyhee River
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Five Bar Ranch was homesteaded by Alma and
Irvin Loveland. Alma is said to have constructed
the ranch access road from the rim by hand.
42° 26' 58"
-117° 12' 36"
4016 feet
42° 30' 27"
-117° 12' 08"
3970 feet
E
39
!?
!?
EE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!¡
!9
!9!9
!9
!9
!9
E
!9
!_
Whitehorse
Cree k
Lone Tree
Reservoir
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 0
MILE 5
The Ledge
OR 3
OR 5
OR 4
Three Forks
Launch Site
4500
40
00
40
00
4500
4500
5000
4500
0
Po
rcupin
e
Ca
ny
on
Love land
Canyon
Long
Canyo
n
Pa
stu
re
Owyhee River
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
De
ary
Camp Three Forks was
established along Soldier
Creek in 1866 and was
named after the confluence
of three forks of the
Owyhee River. The zig-zag
grade visible on the south
side of the river canyon was
constructed in 1866 by
Colonel D.H. Fogus as a
shortcut between the Idaho
mines and Nevada. The
route was abandoned after
one attempt, which involved
lowering a stagecoach 150
feet down by rope.
42° 33' 50"
-117° 10' 58"
3929 feet
42° 36' 50"
-117° 13' 49"
3875 feet
E
40
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
E
E
Skull
Creek
Upper Dry
Lake No. 1
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 10
MILE 15
Halfmile
Raft Flip
Subtle Hole
Bombshelter Drop
Sharks Tooth
OR 4
OR 6
OR 5
4000
4500
4000
45
00
40
00
4500
4500
40
00
Indian Cany on
Owyhee River
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Halfmile
Butte
42° 38' 52"
-117° 14' 44"
3841 feet
42° 43' 11"
-117° 19' 28"
3647 feet
E
41
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
E
E
E
Sol
di er
Creek
Ow
yhee
Riv
er
Flow
MILE 20
MILE 25
Widowmaker
OR 7
OR 5
OR 6
4500
3500
40
00
4500
45
00
4500
4000
40
00
Owyhee River
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Extreme Caution
- Unrunable at some flows
- Portage is difficult
- Lining is dangerous
42° 44' 15"
-117° 21' 27"
3624 feet
E
42
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Owyhee
Riv
er
Flow
MILE 30
MILE 35
Scotts Dam
(ruins)
OR 8
OR 6
OR 7
4000
4000
3500
4000
Sand
Ho
llow
ChinaGulch
Rome Valley
(private land)
Owyhee River
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
The name China Gulch is derived from
an incident between Chinese immigrants
en route from Winnemucca to the mines
of Silver City, and local tribes, in which
many of the immigrants were killed.
Diversion dam and canal
were constructed in the
1930s by the Civilian
Conservation Corps to
provide irrigation to the
Rome Valley. The dam
was washed out by spring
floods in the early 1960s.
42° 47' 05"
-117° 32' 34"
3542 feet
42° 48' 32"
-117° 36' 47"
3380 feet
ROUND
MOUNTAIN
42650
E
43
Lower Owyhee River
Lower Owyhee River
44
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!¡
+U !=
!9
!9
!9
!9
!y
!_
!
Crook ed Creek
Jo
rdan Creek
To Burns£¤95
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 0
MILE 5
MILE 10
OR 7
OR 9
OR 8
Rome
Launch
Site
3500
3500
3500
3500
Rome
Cliffs
Lower Owyhee Canyon
Wilderness Study Area
Old Stage Stop
(private)
Owyhee
Crossing
First Camp
Upper Fletcher
Lower Fletcher
Owyhee Crossing was a major ford of the Owyhee
for hundreds of years. In 1865, Major G. Kimball
recorded the crossing and surrounding country in
his diary "I was brought up and educated to believe
there is a Hell where all had to suffer their sins. I
now think there was one once, and the country
over which I have just passed, must have been the
placed where it was located."
A ferry was operated here between 1865 and 1866,
along the route known as the Skinner Toll Road. The
steel bridge was constructed in 1906.
Rome - Early travelers gave the
town its name because the white
chalk cliff bluffs reminded them
of the ancient Roman Coliseum.
Low Water = 1000 cfs
Most rapids get more
difficult as water drops.
High Water = 8000 cfs
Larger holes, standing waves,
and hydraulics develop.
42° 51' 44"
-117° 38' 30"
3358 feet
42° 52' 57"
-117° 41' 51"
3340 feet
Owyhee River
Gaging Station
ROME
E
45
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
Ro ck
CreekWhite
Gran ite
Cr
eek
Sa nd SpringsCreek
Weeping Wall
Springs
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 10
MILE 15
MILE 20
Long Sweetwater (at lower water)
Read-it-and-Weep (at lower water)
UpsetBulls Eye (at lower water)
OR 8
OR 10
OR 9
3500
3500
O
wyhee
Canyon
Swe
etw
ate
r
C
an
yon
Lower Owyhee
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Hike-out
Hackberry
Little Hackberry
Weeping Wall
Honeymoon
Virgin Bar
Lower Fletcher
42° 56' 50"
-117° 42' 10"
3271 feet
43° 00' 39"
-117° 43' 11"
3159 feet
E
46
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E E
!9
!9
!9
!=
!9!9
!9
!9
!9!9
!9 !9
!9
E
Ry egra
ss
Cree
k
Bo g us
Creek
Dry Creek
Bull CreekOwyhee
River
Flow
MILE 25
MILE 30
Read-it-and-Weep (at lower water)
Artillery
Dog Leg (at lower water)
Squeeze (at higher water)
Rock Trap
(at lower water)
Whistling Bird
OR 9
OR 11
OR 10
Rustler's Cabin
3500
4000
3500
35
00
3500
3500
Potters Cave
Bogus Falls
Ch
alk
Ba
sin
Lower Owyhee
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Lambert
Rocks
Pruitt's
Castle
Corral Camp
Rustlers
Ryegrass
(camping limited
to 1 night)
Pruitt's Castle
Lambert Dome
Chalk Basin
Driftwood
Upper Whistling Bird
Lower Whistling Bird Sloping Beach
Iron Point
Montgomery
Potters Cave - people have lived in
this canyon for 7,000 years. This
rock shelter has been looted many
times, losing its stories of life in this
canyon before European settlement.
Lambert Rock Flows
Recent (4,000 to 100,000 years ago)
reddish basalt lavas flowing from the
east entered the canyon, blocked the
river, and forced it to detour and cut
westward around the lava.
Chalk Basin is composed of pale, ashy
sediments from a shallow ancient lake
that existed about 10 million years ago.
Dark or chocolate horizontal bands are
lava flows that poured over the lake beds,
baking the clay mud into red brick layers
that are resistant to erosion.
43° 03' 53"
-117° 41' 24"
3105 feet
43° 06' 41"
-117° 43' 20"
3029 feet
E
47
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9
!9
!9!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
!9
E
E
E
Jackso nC
reek
Riley Horn
Reservoir
Owyhee
River
Flow
MILE 35
MILE 40
Rock Trap (at lower water)
Squeeze (at higher water)
Tanager (at lower water)
Nuisance (at lower water)
Morcum Dam (at lower water)
Montgomery
OR 1
0
OR 12
OR 11
3500
4500
3000
4000
3500
4000
Rinehart
Falls
Hole-in-the-Ground
Jackso
n
Hole
Sand Basin
Lower Owyhee
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Owyhee Breaks
Wilderness
Study Area
Montgomery
Lower Whistling Bird
Sloping Beach
Iron Point
Canyon
Cliff Side
Exit Camp
Tanager
Jackson Hole
Balancing Rock
Morcum
Bobcat
Devils Tower
Morcum Dam was constructed in 1963 to
provide irrigation and household water to
Hole-In-The-Ground Ranch.
Iron Point Canyon is made of
rhyolite, an erosion-resistant red-
gray rock formed from viscous,
sticky lava that erupted in thick
flows. Upstream of Iron Point,
the river follows an east-west fault.
43° 11' 38"
-117° 38' 41"
2882 feetE
48
!?
E
EE
E
E
E E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
!9
!9!9
!9
!9 !=
!¡
!9
!9
!=
Birch Cree kShuttle Route
Owyh
ee
R
iver
Flow
MILE 45
MILE 50
MILE 55
OR 11
OR 13
OR 12
Birch Creek Takeout
Birch Creek
Historic Ranch
3000
4500
3500
4000
3500
3500
3000
4000
Devils Tower
Water
Wheel
Island Ranch
Water Wheel
Pinnacle
Rock
Griffith
Homestead
Bureau of Reclamation - administered land
Ow
yhee
Breaks
Lower Owyhee
Canyon Wilderness
Study Area
Blue Canyon
Wilderness Study Area
Owyhee Breaks
Wilderness
Study Area
Devils Tower
Upper Greeley
Middle Greeley
Lower Greeley
Pothole
Basque
Slack water begins at Mile 55 when
the reservoir is full. Motorized
use authorized below this point.
Birch Creek is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. It and nearby Morrison ranches
were originally homesteaded by Basque sheep-
herders in the early 1900s. They consist of 288
acres of land, structures, and buildings acquired
by BLM in 1988. Caretakers reside on site.
Camping at Upper Greeley Bar is limited to one night.
The hot spring wetland here is crucial breeding habitat
for both Woodhouse and Western toads. Eggs are laid
during spring boating season between the river and
the hot springs pool. Please moor boats at campsite
when using the hot springs.
43° 12' 55"
-117° 30' 03"
2716 feet
E
49
!?
!?
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
EE
!9
!y!¡!_
Cree k
W
illow
Spri
ng
Creek
Junipe r
Creek
Owyhee
R
iver
Owyhee
Lake
Flow
MILE 60
MILE 65
OR 12
OR 13
3000
3500
4000
3500
3500
3000
3000
3500
3000
Bureau of Reclamation
administered land
Owyhee
Breaks
Diamond Butte
B l u e
Canyon
Blue Canyon
Wilderness Study Area
Dry Creek Buttes
Wilderness Study Area
Black Rocks
Owyhee Reservoir - At the time
of its construction in 1932, the
417 foot high Owyhee Dam was
the highest dam in the world. It
was built, in part, as a prototype
for Hoover Dam. Completion of
the dam ended anadromous fish
migrations to upsteam tributaries
in the Owyhee River Basin.
43° 18' 20"
-117° 24' 39"
2675 feet
43° 19' 20"
-117° 19' 29"
2659 feet
Leslie Gulch Boat Ramp
E
50
51
River Right Portage, Castle Greyskull, Jarbidge River, PJ Moran
52
BRUNEAU & JARBIDGE RIVERS BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BRUNEAU RIVER
The Bruneau River flows north from the Jarbidge mountains of northern
Nevada through the Owyhee Uplands on its way to the Snake River in
southern Idaho. The river has cut two principal canyons in the plateau: the
Jarbidge River and the West Fork Bruneau River canyons. The Jarbidge
River carries the majority of the system’s flow and becomes the Bruneau
River where the West Fork empties into the Jarbidge about 24 miles north
of the Nevada border. Only very experienced boaters should float the 69
miles of the Bruneau and Jarbidge rivers due to challenging rapids, log
jams and other hazards. Some hazards can’t be seen until boaters are on
top of them.
The Bruneau and Jarbidge rivers can be run by kayak or raft. The most
difficult segment of the Bruneau River is a five-mile section in the lower
portion of the canyon. Your ability to run the Bruneau should be judged
by your skill in running the sustained Class IV whitewater found in Five
Mile Rapids, beginning at river mile 58.5.
BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WEST FORK
The West Fork should be run only by kayak and only by expert kayakers.
It is extremely challenging due to its small size, numerous Class IV and V
rapids and potential for strenuous portages.
BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHEEP CREEK
Sheep Creek is the mystery run in the Bruneau Drainage. It flows into the
Bruneau River 13 miles downstream from Indian Hot Springs. Runable
river flows are dependent on heavy rain fall and it is rarely boatable in any
craft. When it does have water, Sheep Creek is a challenging run with a
handful of Class IV and V rapids such as Gun-shy, Blind Date and Grants
Slam. This is a 19 mile run for expert kayakers, in addition to the 27 miles
of the Bruneau. The launch site is upstream of Marys Creek at a bridge off
of Highway 51.
BOATER SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JARBIDGE RIVER
The Jarbidge River is a narrow technical river. Navigating around the many
obstacles in a raft requires constant maneuvering in tight spaces. Boats over
14’ are not recommended on the Jarbidge.
If you boat the Jarbidge River, you should be aware that there are two or
more long, rocky and arduous portages, depending on your skill and the
water level. Additional hazards on the Jarbidge are the ever-changing log
jams. Be cautious of blind corners and constricted areas where logs can
53
stick on rocks and trees lean in off the banks. Due to rising and falling
flows, the locations and severity of logjams can be different from one day
to the next.
SPRING BOATING SEASON
The normal float season is during spring runoff from about April 1 to
June 15. The flow of the Bruneau River generally peaks in mid to late May.
However, cold or warm weather or heavy rain can cause dramatic fluctua-
tions in water levels at any time. You should be prepared for severe weather
conditions, including strong winds, accompanying rain, and snow storms.
The ideal time to float the Bruneau River is when water flows are between
500 and 2,500 cfs at the Bruneau USGS gauge. Go to http://waterdata.usgs.
gov/nmis/ to find water levels at the Bruneau USGS gauge. The river is best
for rafts when flows are over 1,000 cfs. It is recommended that the Bruneau
and Jarbidge rivers not be boated in any craft when the USGS gauge read-
ing is above 2,500 cfs.
The Jarbidge River is normally floatable in rafts beginning the first part of
May when the Bruneau gauge reading exceeds 1,000 cfs, and/ or the Jarbidge
USGS gauge reads 100 cfs or more. The Jarbidge USGS gauge is in Nevada
and represents one third to one half of the flow at the Jarbidge put in.
The West Fork Bruneau River is a lower-elevation watershed that has an
earlier snow melt than that of the Jarbidge River. It is runnable in a kayak
with around 300 cfs and above on the Rowland USGS gauge, located on
the Idaho Nevada border. Go to http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nmis/ to find
water levels at the Rowland USGS gauge.
SUMMER BOATING SEASON
The Bruneau River is usually floatable with inflatable kayaks from about
June 15 to as late as July 31, when water levels are between 200 and 500 cfs.
Due to a number of large, exposed boulder fields in the river channel, you
should expect to make several portages and numerous linings. Low water
conditions also demand that you be prepared to deal with punctures and
other equipment damage.
Even with an inflatable kayak, you should avoid the Jarbidge River at flows
under 350 cfs on the Bruneau guage because of nearly continuous, shallow
rapids. To avoid running Five Mile Rapids on the lower Bruneau, you can
make an arduous portage up the Roberson Trail to the canyon’s eastern
rimrock at river mile 57.8. Refer to the river access map to find this
location. Otherwise, a full day of scouting and lining is required to get
through the first three miles of Five Mile Rapids.
54
BRUNEAU-JARBIDGE RIVER FLOW INFORMATION
Idaho Department of Water Resources (208)327-7865
The USGS gauges for river flows are at:
Jarbidge
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13162225&PARAmeter_
cd=00065,00060,00010
55
Wally’s Wallow, Jarbidge River, PJ Moran
West Fork Bruneau
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nv/nwis/uv?site_no=13161500
Bruneau (Hot Springs)
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13168500&PARAmeter_
cd=00065,00060,00010
56
"
!!
!¡
JARBIDGE RIVER LAUNCH SITE
!¡ BRUNEAU RIVERLAUNCH SITE
!́ !2
Jarbidge, NV
!_
BRUNEAU-JARBIDGERIVERS
WILDERNESS
BRUNEAU-JARBIDGERIVERS
WILDERNESS
BEARPAW
MOUNTAIN
7460'
HOT SPRINGS
BUTTE
6746'
JUNIPER
BUTTE
5472'
POISON
BUTTE
5653'
TRIPLET BUTTE
6014'
SCOTT
TABLE
6073'
MOSQUITO
LAKE BUTTE
5568'
PENCE
BUTTE
5696'
BURNT
BUTTE
5351'
CLOVER BUTTE
5164'
CATHOLIC
BUTTE
4783'
DORSEY
TABLE
5633'
ARCH TABLE
5371'
BLACK
ROCK
6004'
B uc k
Creek
C
lo
v er
Creek
DeerCre
ek
DaveC
reek
J ackCreek
Co
lum b
etCreek
Sanovia
Cr eek
Rob
in sonCreek
Murphy HotSprings
U.S. AIR FORCE
JUNIPER BUTTE
ANNEX RANGE
N E V A D A
I D A H O
JARBIDGE ACCESS MAP
57
"
"
!!
ACCESS - JARBIDGE RIVER, IDAHO(Use BLM Sheep Creek 1:100,000 scale map)
Two-wheel drive vehicles are sufficient toreach the Jarbidge River put-in, located at
the confluence of the West Fork and EastFork of the Jarbidge River about two milesnorth of Murphy Hot Springs. Murphy Hot
Springs can be reached via the Clover-ThreeCreek Road and/or Jarbidge Road. TheJarbidge Road, also called the Three Creek
Highway, has an asphalt surface and originates from U.S. 93 at Rogerson, Idaho.
To Hwy 93
BEAR MOUNTAIN
7023'
ELK
MOUNTAIN
8827'
OWENS
MOUNTAIN
8322'
QUARTZITE
BUTTE
7928'
RED
ELEPHANT BUTTE
8422'
BOBCAT
BUTTE
6106'
CALHOUN
BUTTE
6490'
COONSKIN
BUTTE
5331'
SUGARLOAF
5509'
TUANNA
BUTTE
4606'
HORSE
BUTTE
5030'
MUD FLAT
HILL
6007'
BLACK
BUTTE
5384'
HORSE HILL
5889'
LITTLE
GRASSY HILL
5856'
MARSHALL
BUTTE
5512'
SIGNAL
BUTTE
5906'
PIGTAIL
BUTTE
5266'
Devi l
Cr eek
Lim e Cr eek
Nor thForkSal
mon
Falls
Creek
House
Creek
Wi lson
Cr eek
Fl atCr eek
Shel l
C
r eek
BearC
reek
Deer
C reek
Cl ove r
Creek
WillowC re
ek
Pole
Cre
ek
B
ig
Fl at
Creek
D eadwood
Cre ek
Cedar
Cre ek
Thr ee
Creek
Roseworth
Three Creek
N E V A D A
I D A H O
F0 1 2 3 4 5
Miles
58
"
!!
!¡ BRUNEAU RIVERLAUNCH SITE
!¡
BRUNEAU TAKEOUT(PRIVATE)
!́ !̧
Bruneau, ID
59
!!
ACCESS - BRUNEAU RIVER, IDAHO
Bruneau River (Use BLM Sheep Creek 1:100,000 scale map)Four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles are required to
access the Bruneau River launches, located on both privateand public land at Indian Hot Springs, located downstreamfrom the confluence of the Jarbidge and West Fork Bruneau
rivers. Access from the west is via a very rough dirt road offthe gravel-surfaced Grasmere-Rowland Road. Access fromthe east is the preferred route, and requires traveling over a
rough dirt road off the Clover-Three Creek Road. Both accessroutes originate from Highway 51.
Bruneau River Takout (Use BLM Glenns Ferry 1:100,000 scale map)The primary takeout point for the river system is located on privateland about a mile downstream from Hot Creek on the east side of the
Bruneau River. Access to this site is via a good quality gravel roadfrom the Clover-Three Creek Road. The takeout is accessible with a
two-wheel drive vehicle. Trips beginning on the Jarbidge and West ForkBruneau rivers can also take out at Indian Hot Springs.
BLACK
BUTTE
4206'
COONSKIN
BUTTE
5331'
NOTCH
BUTTE
3586'
TWIN BUTTES
3497'
WINTER
CAMP BUTTE
4406'
HORSE
BUTTE
5030'
NOTCH
BUTTE
3904'
CROWS NEST
BUTTE
4265'
CLOVER BUTTE
5164'
SAILOR
CAP BUTTE
3566'
THE BIG
HILL
3976'
Clove rCr e ek
U.S. AIR FORCE
SAYLOR CREEK
TRAINING RANGE
U.S. AIR FORCE
JUNIPER BUTTE
ANNEX RANGE
F0 1 2 3 4 5
Miles
60
USGS Quadrangle:
BRUNEAU-JARBIDGE LOCATION MAP
61
BRUNEAU-JARBIDGE MAP LEGEND
Land Status
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Indian Reservation
Private Land
State Land
BLM Wilderness (ID)
Non-Wilderness Access Route (cherrystem)
BLM Wilderness Study Area (NV, OR)
Coordinate System: Projection -
UTM Zone 11, Datum NAD 1983,
units in meters
Source Information: Land status,
hydrology, and transportation data
compiled from Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) resource base
data at a scale of 1:24,000. Contour
derived from U.S. Geological Survey
10 meter national elevation dataset
The official land records should be
checked for up-to-date status on
any specific tract of land. Recreation
information: BLM Boise, Twin Falls,
Vale and Elko District Offices.
Warning: Inclement weather
can make road surfaces impass-
able. Travel on unpaved routes
with properly equipped vehicles
and in good weather. This is an
extremely remote region. Plan
ahead. Take precautions. Patrols
are infrequent. Some roads cross
private land and may require
permission for access.
Even though every effort is made
to depict the road network, features
and descriptions accurately, BLM
cannot guarantee road classification
and/or positional accuracy of roads
and other features in all cases. No
warranty is made by the BLM for
use of this data for purposes not
intended by BLM.
0 21
Kilometers
0 10.5
Miles
Scale 1 : 48,000
Contour Interval = 100 feet
River
!
!
!
!
!! Stream
Wild and Scenic River Designation
E River Mile Marker
Portage or Lining Recommended
!¡ Launch Site
!9 Camping
!y Boat Launch
!_ Restroom
!= Historical Site
!? Latitude/Longitude Coordinate
Dam
Rapids Class II
Rapids Class III
Rapids Class IV
Rapids Class V
^̂]̂ Rapids Class VI
Road or 4WD Trail
Hiking Trail (non-mechanized)
Pipeline
Contour Line
Lake
Playa
Map Overlap
State Boundary
62
!9E
E
!9E
!9
!?!9E
E
E
E
E
!9
!?
E
E!9
!9
!¡!_
Riv
er
Cree
k
Colum
bet
Dorsey Cr
Jarb
idg
e
Flow
MILE 0
MILE 5
5500
5000
5500
5500
5000
Jarbidge River
Launch Site
J1
Jarbidge originated from a
Shoshone word meaning
"devil" or "monster"
Caution!
Not all hazards are marked
42° 04' 37"
-115° 25' 14"
4826 Feet
42° 07' 07"
-115° 29' 06"
4590 Feet
J2
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
63
!9
E!9
!9
!9
!9
!9 E
E
!9
E!9
!?E
E
!9
E
E
E
!?
!9 !9
E
E
Riv
er
Coug
ar
Creek
Poison
Creek
Jarb
idg
e
Flow
MILE 10
MILE 15
5500
5000
5000
4500
Tonsmeire Torrent
Castle Grayskull
(Possible Portage)
Ar
ch
Ta
bl e
Di a
mo
nd
A
D
es
er
t
I ns
i de
De
se
rt
Arc
h
Ca
ny
on
J2
A massive rockslide on river right
formed this rapid in the spring of
2009 creating a large pool upstream
that consumed what used to be Sevy
Falls. Castle Grayskull is also known
as Tonsmeire Falls or Barker Falls.
42° 11' 56"
-115° 30' 35"
4383 Feet
42° 14' 08"
-115° 32' 06"
4216 Feet
J3
J1
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
64
E
!9
!9 !9
!9
E
!?
!9
E
!9!9
!9
E
!?
E
E!9!¡
E
E
E
E
E
Jarb
idge
Riv
er
River
Bruneau
Inside Lakes
Inside Lakes
Flow
MILE 20
MILE 25
4500
4000
The Maze
Wally's Wallow
(Possible Portage)
John's Jollies
The Labyrinth
Jarbidge Falls
(Possible Portage)
pid
Ind
ian
Ho
tS
prin
gR
oa
d Shuttle Route
Dia
mo
nd
A D
es
er t
I ns
i de
De
se
rt
J3
42° 16' 27"
-115° 35' 09"
4000 Feet
42° 19' 45"
-115° 39' 08"
3691 Feet
J2
B1
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
65
E!9
!¡
!9!9
!?E
E
E
!9
!9
E
E
E
!?!9
E
!9
E
E
Bru
neau
Riv
er
FlowMILE 30
MILE 35
4500
4000
4500
Cave Rapid
Rodger Dodger
Helfrich Hole
To Clover-Three
Creek Road
IndianH
ot Spring
Roa d Shuttle
RouteS t i f f Tr ee D ra w
Dra
w
J -
P
Po
i nt
Ca
ve
Bruneau Launch Site
(Private)
Indian Hot Springs
B1
42° 20' 47"
-115° 38' 17"
3671 Feet
42° 25' 44"
-115° 37' 33"
3556 Feet
Please use private
property with respect
J3
B2
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
66
E
!9
E
!?!9
E
!9
E
!9
E
E
!?E
E
E
E
E
Riv
er
Shee
p
Bru
nea
u
Cre
ek
White Lake
Twin Lakes
Flow
MILE 40
MILE 45
MILE 50
4000
4000
4000
Po i nt
J - P
Bl a
ck
sto
ne
De
se
rt
Sh
ee
psh
ea
dD
raw
Jun
ipe
rTre e
Dra w
B2
42° 29' 53"
-115° 35' 48"
3386 Feet
42° 32' 44"
-115° 35' 06"
3363 Feet
B1
B3
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
67
!?E
E!9
!9
E
!9
E
E
!9
E
!9
E
!?
E
!9E
E
E
Water
River
Creek
Bru
neau
Clover
Miller
Salvador
Lake
Flow
MILE 55
MILE 60
4000
3500
Boneyard
EF B r u ne au C a nyo n
A u s t i n B u t t e
Roberson Trail
B3
42° 34' 33"
-115° 38' 08"
3123 Feet
42° 38' 02"
-115° 41' 22"
3022 Feet
B2
B4
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
68
E
E
E
E
E
!9
E
!?!9E
!9
E
E
E
!¡
!_
Bruneau
River
Flow
MILE 65
MILE 70
3500
3500
3000
3000
Hughes Horn
Devil's Garden
Nemesis
Wild Burro
To Bruneau
Cro
wb
ar
Gu
l ch
Bruneau
Canyon
Overlook
Bruneau River
Take-out (Private)
B4
42° 44' 29"
-115° 42' 11"
2697 Feet
Please use private
property with respect
CAUTION
Low head dam below
Bruneau take out
B3
Bruneau-Jarbidge
Rivers Wilderness
F
69
EMERGENCY CONTACTSEmergency Phone Number 911
Owyhee County Sheriff in Murphy, ID (208)495-1154
Malheur County Sheriff in Vale, OR (541)473-5126
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Owyhee (208)759-3246
Boise Interagency Logistics Center Dispatch (208)384-3400
BLM Vale District Dispatch (541)473-6296
South-Central Idaho Interagency Dispatch (800)974-2373
Idaho EMS Communication Center, Boise (877)554-3367
OUTFITTERS & AGENCIESFor outfitter/guide service information or to report illegal outfitting or hunting:
Oregon State Marine Board
435 Commercial St. NE
Salem, OR 97310
(503)378-8587
Oregon Fish and Wildlife
3814 Clark Blvd.
Ontario, OR 97914
(541)889-6975
Nevada Division of Wildlife
60 Youth Center Road
Elko, NV 89801
(775)777-2300
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTBoise District Office
3948 S. Development Avenue
Boise, Idaho 83705
208-384-3300
Twin Falls District Office
2536 Kimberly Road
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
208-735-2060
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association (IOGA)
P.O. Box 95
Boise, ID 83701
(208)342-1438
IOGA Licensing Board
1365 N. Orchard #172
Boise, ID 83706
(208)327-7380 general
(208)327-7167 enforcement
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
3101 S. Powerline Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208)465-8465
Report wildlife crimes: 1(800)632-5999
Vale District Office
100 Oregon Street
Vale, Oregon 97918
541-473-3144
Elko District Office
3900 E. Idaho Street
Elko, Nevada 89801
775-753-0200
BLM/ID/GI-95/006+8350/Rev. 2017
Sheep Creek, Evan Worthington
Jarbidge River, Tipton Power
