Gauge Information (Professor Paddle updated levels from SELWAY RIVER NR LOWELL ID at 7/4/2015 1:15:41 AM)
| Gauge |
Forecast |
Height |
Current Flow |
Authority |
Physical Update |
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SELWAY RIVER NR LOWELL ID
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n/a |
3.71 |
1270 cfs
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USGS - NWIS |
7/4/2015 1:00:00 AM |
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Minimum Recomended Level: 2000 cfs Maximum Recomended Level: 200000 cfs
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Other IssuesA fantastic run... and very difficult to get on. You need to get a permit to run this river and there is only one, very sought after launch per day during the permit control season of May 15-July 31. Plus, 16 of those dates are allotted to commercial rafting companies. Preseason trips are possible in years with low snowpack when the road to the put-in opens up before the season starts. In big snowpack years post-season trips are possible at the beginning of August.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/recreation/4rivers/ |
Fun FactsOne of the best overnight trips anywhere! |
Run DescriptionOne of the best overnight whitewater trips in Idaho or anywhere else for that matter. 46 miles of beautiful wilderness, clear water, and some damn fine whitewater. The Selway starts as a smaller mountain stream, and becomes progressively bigger as it heads downstream and picks up tributaries.
Don't underestimate this river. It's rated class IV, and that's bigwater Idaho class IV at all but the lower levels. First-timers especially are well advised to hike down from the Moose Creek confluence and scout out the "Moose Juice" section. Moose Creek adds considerably to the Selway's flow, and at this point the river really takes on a bigwater feel. There is a good trail on river right and you can hike down a few miles and scout all the big drops in this section: Double Drop IV, Wa-Poots III, Ladle IV, Little Niagra IV, Puzzle Creek III, No Slouch IV, Miranda Jane III.
FLOW INFO:
The USGS gage listed for this run is downstream of this run. Most people refer to the stick gage at the put-in (Paradise).
On the paradise gague 1 foot is about minimum, although kayaks and IKs can go lower.
Here's an approximate breakdown of flows:
1-2 Feet - Low
2-3 Feet - Med low to Medium
3-4 Feet - Medium
4-5 Feet - Medium High
5-6 Feet - High
6+ Feet - Really crankin'
By way of comparison, I've seen the Selway at about 3.5 feet at Paradise which equalled about 7500 on the Lowell gage. 3.7 equalling about 9,000. 4 feet at Paradise equalling about 12,000 at Lowell and 4.5 equalling about 15,000 at Lowell.
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