PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. This means a rather short and irregular season on the Owyee which simply heightens its appeal. Number of Guests. Even the largest brown trout, can be very active surface feeders. An Oregon Treasure Carved by desert rivers winding toward the Pacific, Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands is the last great unprotected expanse of the American West. Mile 38: Nuisance Rapid (III/IV) is a class IV at lower flows, and is followed quickly by Morcum Dam Rapid. At lower flows it is a Class IV, with a rock at the bottom that can create problems for heavier boats. Level: 800 – 5,000 cfs Agency: BLM Permits: Self Registration Put-in: Rome Take-out: Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch. We run the lower part of the Owyhee River, 48 miles of Class III rapids from the town of Rome to Birch Creek. River Drifters offers three, four, five, seven and ten-day adventures on the Owyhee. At lower flows, you can easily scramble over rocks on the right to get a good view of the rapid. Mile 32.5: Montgomery Rapid (III/IV) is the longest and most technical rapid on the Lower Owyhee. Mile 26.5: Lambert Dome comes into view on the left. The Owyhee boasts a multitude of wildflowers and exotic birds living among the numerous hot springs and awe-inspiring cliffs rising more than 1,500 feet above the river. The lower Owyhee is nearly to the Idaho border. Just around the corner, camps are located on either side of the river. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. This trip takes you past geological wonders, hot springs, petroglyphs and more, all while providing a fun ride in the process. It is 280 miles (450 km) long. These are the last major obstacles boaters will encounter on the Lower Owyhee River. Lower Owyhee River flow boost comes early. The desert snowpack that the river relies on for most of its flow varies from year to year, and the run is considerably more technical as flows drop below 1000 cfs. Float slowly past the vast spires of Chalk Basin and Pruett’s Castle, dry lakebed sediment baked in layers like a prehistoric cake. The most popular section is the Lower Owyhee, which runs 48 miles from the put in at Rome to Birch Creek Historic Ranch. Its headwaters are in northern Nevada and the river is 280 miles long. Upper Owyhee (East Fork) The Upper trip begins on the East Fork of the Owyhee, accessed by way of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Idaho. The Owyhee is one of our favorite spring rivers and between the Lower and Middle Owyhee we run more trips than any other company. The river flows northwest, converges with the South Fork of the Owyhee, and eventually reaches Three Forks, Oregon. When the snowpack at Jack Creek Upper goest the zero, the river flow typically drops below 300 cfs. Owyhee River Rafting - Maps Book Now Click maps to enlarge Trip Highlights Spectacular desert scenery. LOWER OWYHEE RIVER: 4-DAY ITINERARY R O W S (800) 972-0430 . Wild and rarely seen, it is a bizarrely magnificent place with jaw-dropping scenery. Although the Owyhee holds plenty of big water opportunities, there are also plenty of calm stretches providing time for peace and solitude. Many have said they have entirely new view of Oregon and the treasures the state has to offer. It is a great stopping point for day one and has an easy hike to the canyon rim for a spectacular view. The river winds through a land of hot springs and hoodoos, of towering bluffs, and windswept plateaus, of jaw dropping beauty and awe-inspiring loneliness. - 10% off for youth 16 or under, and for groups of 10+ people | Any Specialty trip prices are noted below . Highway 95 lies 5 miles south of the WSA. It is a place as beautiful as it is inhospitable. Wild and rarely seen, it is bizarrely beautiful and sometimes haunting. Raft the Lower Section of the Owyhee Wild and Scenic River To anyone who knows rafting, the Owyhee River is definitely on their bucket list. The Owyhee River Wilderness is located on the high basalt plateaus of Owyhee County in southwestern Idaho in the western United States.The wilderness area is named after and protects the upper Owyhee River, its tributaries, and the surrounding desert canyon landscape. The Owyhee Canyonlands is a huge and remote area of eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada. Despite the dry surroundings, numerous springs along the way like this one give plenty of chances to stock up on water. Our Lower Owyhee river trips are done with Momentums signature style, attention to detail, and handcrafted quality. Fish average 17-21 inches, with larger fish not uncommon. You can take out at Birch Creek to avoid the flat water on the reservoir before getting to Leslie Gulch. The Owyhee River’s brown trout fishing is so good this stream made our list of Best Fly Fishing Rivers in Oregon. The river is a classic Momentum style adventure that highlights our guiding experience, expedition roots, and attention to detail and guest comfort. Owyhee Irrigation District Manager Jay Chamberlin. The extremely remote Lower Owyhee defies direct comaprisons. Mile 14: Hike-out Camp is located on the left, just as the canyon begins to open up. Natural riverside hot Springs. Scouting Whistling Bird Rapid on the Owyhee River. CLOTHING • One pair of quick-drying shorts and two t-shirts (wool or synthetic are best, but cotton is OK for camp). Individuals, families and outfitters alike have come here to run the 67-mile stretch of river from Rome to Leslie Gulch. The season is short on this section like the other Owyhee sections since this is a snow and spring fed river. please call for this amazing trip option. Follow a well worn trail up a slot canyon, passing through vivid layers of ancient lake sediment along your way. While inflatable kayaks can make the run down to base flows of only a couple hundred cfs, rafts will want to think twice, before putting on below 500 cfs. Rafting the lower Owyhee River is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that introduces you to some of the most spectacular and untouched high desert landscapes found in eastern Oregon. The Owyhee River lies in the southeastern corner of Oregon. Unless the road is washed out or closed, it is best to end your trip here. USGS 13181000 OWYHEE RIVER NR ROME OR. The river's drainage basin is 11,049 square miles (28,620 km 2) in area, one of the largest subbasins of the Columbia Basin. • Swimsuit. Both customers and guides who float through the deep “Grand Canyon-esque” gorges of this river come away changed from the awe-inspiring landscape. Lower Owyhee River Trip Details Rome to Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch Length: 48 or 65 miles The WSA contains 72,250 acres of BLM land and 3,385 acres of split-estate land in nine parcels. Date. Eventually, you will gain a ridge and take that back to the left to reach the top of the dome. In Owyhee country, the wilderness is a sagebrush sea. 50 miles. The river winds through a land of stark contrasts, with hot springs and hoodoos, towering bluffs and windswept plateaus. Anyone wishing to visit these hot springs will want to take special care to avoid disturbing the sensitive wetlands that provide crucial breeding habitat for both Woodhouse and Western Toads. The headwaters of the Owyhee River are found in Elko County in northeastern Nevada. The … The Owyhee River in South Eastern Oregon is easily the most remote and arguably the most scenic, river trip in the state. Boat scouting Montgomery Rapid on the Owyhee River, Length: 48 or 65 miles Gradient: 15 fpm Difficulty: Class III Season: Spring Rec. USGS 13183000 OWYHEE RIVER BELOW OWYHEE DAM, OR. Flow from 1600-1400 cfs. It is Oregon’s hidden gem. Mile 65: Alternate take out at Leslie Gulch on river right. Although the Owyhee holds plenty of big water opportunities, there are also plenty of calm stretches providing … The high desert of Owyhee River Canyon offers an attractive set of outdoor adventures including hiking, kayaking, rafting, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. The Lower Owyhee River Rafting Trips 5 days. Mile 55: When the Owyhee Reservoir is full it begins here at mile 55. Just be sure to gather some information ahead of time and […] The weather is … The Owyhee River is a 346-mile-long tributary of the Snake River that begins in northern Nevada and flows through southwestern Idaho, before finishing its route in Oregon. The moderate climb to its summit is one of the best hikes on the Lower Owyhee. The lower Owyhee River below the Owyhee Reservoir is a beautiful trout stream located in the golden hills of Eastern Oregon. It’s filled with class II, III and IV rapids including Montgomery and Whistling Bird. There are several opportunities to camp within the towering walls of this scenic stretch of river. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text Station operated in cooperation with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Mile 32.5: Montgomery Rapid (III/IV) is the longest and most technical rapid on the Lower Owyhee. Great hiking. • Long-sleeved synthetic shirt and hat for sun protection. The extremely remote Lower Owyhee defies direct comparisons. Gleaming basalt bluffs cascade down to desolate, soft beaches speckled with the lure of undiscovered gemstones. Mile 43.5: Hot springs … Peak rafting season is in the spring and early summer months, when the water levels are highest. Our Lower Owyhee river trip offers spectacular scenery, good whitewater, and the chance to visit a rarely seen part of the United States. Mile 17.75: Weeping Wall Springs are easily identifiable on the left and provide a welcome opportunity to refill water supplies. It’s filled with class II, III and IV rapids including Montgomery and Whistling Bird. It’s a warm morning as we prepare the rafts and drift boats for our four-day journey through the Lower Owyhee Canyonlands. The Owyhee River is a rarely visited but mesmerizing river in its bizarre beauty, an unplucked jewel in itself. Running the Owyhee River from Rome to Birch Creek Oregon. Whitewater rafting is a popular recreational activity in this wilderness area. Irrigation managers have raised flows from the Owyhee Reservoir to … The Owyhee River is a tributary of the Snake River located in northern Nevada, southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon in the United States. Mile 31: Whistling Bird Rapid (III/IV) contains an undercut hazard that becomes more pronounced at lower flows. Snowpack information for the Owyhee River Basin in Idaho can be found on the USDA NRCS web site. Mile 13: Bulls Eye (III/IV) is the first major rapid encountered on the Lower Owyhee. ... We also can run a Middle Owyhee / Lower owyhee combo: (9 days). This section is known for its big rainbows and browns. Northwest Rafting Company (541) 450-9855 is an award-winning group of professional, well-trained guides that lead people down the most beautiful rivers in the world. Mile 49.5: Birch Creek Take Out is on the right. The Owyhee flows north along the east side of the Independence Mountains before it proceeds through southwestern Idaho where it is joined by the South Fork of the Owyhee River before reaching the Oregon border. Deep canyon walls, riverside camps, and hikes climbing to sweeping vistas are all highlights of this trip. Mile 0: Put-in at the Rome Launch Site. For a more difficult and scenic section of the Owyhee River consider the Middle Owyhee above Rome. For up to six days, you will dip into hot springs at Ryegrass or Greely Bar, admire raptors soaring overhead and hear the red-tail hawks cry. There is a reason this tributary of the Bruneau has so often been likened to the Grand Canyon. The Owyhee River offers hundreds of miles of river trips on the East Fork, South Fork, Deep Creek, and other tributaries that could be combined for a trip over two weeks, but most people opt for a 3-5 day trip on the Owyhee River below Rome. The Lower Owyhee Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (OR-3-110) is located in Malheur County approximately 4 miles northwest of Rome, Oregon. At its heart, the river forms a sinuous 346 mile long oasis stretching north from the edge of the Great Basin to the Snake River. When the snowpack at South Mountain goes to zero, the river flow typically drops below 900 cfs. Fishing the Owyhee offers remarkable chances to catch large trout on 4-6 weight fly rods on dry flies. The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA. Rowing wood dory. Though it is typically not much trouble for experienced rafters, provided there are no swimmers, inflatable kayaks and hardshells may want to scout the best route. Also, due to the extreme remoteness of the region, do not count on any outside help in emergency situations. LOWER OWYHEE RIVER The wild Owyhee River whittles a dramatic, narrow canyon through the highlands of southern Idaho and Oregon, cutting through the rhyolite and basalt plateau as it has for millennia. The Lower Owyhee River. The ten miles below the Owyhee Reservoir between the dam and Snively Hot Springs is a well known tailwater trout fishery. On an Owyhee trip one may encounter a band of California bighorn sheep, a dozen kinds of wildflowers, an unexpected waterfall or one of … Mile 21: Read-it-and-Weep (III) and Artillery Rapid (III) occur in quick succession here. • All river equipment. These are the last major obstacles boaters will encounter on the Lower Owyhee River. 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