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Idaho Rivers
Live Conditions

Salmon River (Idaho)

Idaho317 miles6 Segments · 20 Rapids
Primary Flow
—
cfs
Gauge Height
—
ft
Water Temp
—
°F
Air Temp
—
°F
Basin SWE
—
in avg
Daylight
—
sunrise
5-Day Trend
—
 

River Profile

317 mi
Headwater
Mouth
South Butte → Bayhorse Recreation SiteSouth Butte → Bayhorse Recreation Site · 19.2 mi
Bayhorse Recreation Site → Challis Bridge Recreation SiteBayhorse Recreation Site → Challis Bridge Recreation Site · 8.6 mi
Challis Bridge Recreation Site → Pennal GulchChallis Bridge Recreation Site → Pennal Gulch · 6.4 mi
Pennal Gulch → TappanPennal Gulch → Tappan · 4 mi
Tappan → Watts BridgeTappan → Watts Bridge · 4.3 mi
Watts Bridge → Cottonwood Recreation SiteWatts Bridge → Cottonwood Recreation Site · 5.3 mi
Cottonwood Recreation Site → Deer GulchCottonwood Recreation Site → Deer Gulch · 3.7 mi
Deer Gulch → Cronks CanyonDeer Gulch → Cronks Canyon · 3.1 mi
Cronks Canyon → Colston CreekCronks Canyon → Colston Creek · 2.3 mi
Colston Creek → Upper McKim CreekColston Creek → Upper McKim Creek · 4.2 mi
Upper McKim Creek → Elk BendUpper McKim Creek → Elk Bend · 10 mi
Elk Bend → Waddington CreekElk Bend → Waddington Creek · 3.2 mi
Waddington Creek → Island ParkWaddington Creek → Island Park · 21.6 mi
Island Park → Carmen BridgeIsland Park → Carmen Bridge · 4.3 mi
Carmen Bridge → Tower Rock Recreation SiteCarmen Bridge → Tower Rock Recreation Site · 6.6 mi
Tower Rock Recreation Site → Red RockTower Rock Recreation Site → Red Rock · 3.3 mi
Red Rock → Fourth Of JulyRed Rock → Fourth Of July · 2.5 mi
Fourth Of July → Bobcat GulchFourth Of July → Bobcat Gulch · 1.9 mi
Bobcat Gulch → North ForkBobcat Gulch → North Fork · 3.6 mi
Lightning Creek → Maynard HoleLightning Creek → Maynard Hole · 11.3 mi
Maynard Hole → Long GulchMaynard Hole → Long Gulch · 1.1 mi
Long Gulch → Twin BridgesLong Gulch → Twin Bridges · 5.1 mi
Twin Bridges → Campbell FlatTwin Bridges → Campbell Flat · 4.8 mi
0
50
100
150
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Gauge(5)
Boat Ramp(31)
Rapid(12)
Whitewater
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Your History · Salmon River (Idaho)

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Segments
23 segments
SegmentMilesRiver MileCFSStatusFloat Est.Rapids
South Butte → Bayhorse Recreation Site
19.2RM 17.9 – 37.1——5:29hrs—
Bayhorse Recreation Site → Challis Bridge Recreation Site
8.6RM 37.1 – 45.7——2:27hrs—
Challis Bridge Recreation Site → Pennal Gulch
6.4RM 45.7 – 52.1——1:50hrs—
Pennal Gulch → Tappan
4.0RM 52.1 – 56.1——1:09hrs—
Tappan → Watts Bridge
4.3RM 56.1 – 60.4——1:14hrs—
Watts Bridge → Cottonwood Recreation Site
5.3RM 60.4 – 65.7——1:31hrs—
Cottonwood Recreation Site → Deer Gulch
3.7RM 65.7 – 69.4——1:03hrs—
Deer Gulch → Cronks Canyon
3.1RM 69.4 – 72.5——0:53hrs—
Cronks Canyon → Colston Creek
2.3RM 72.5 – 74.8——0:39hrs—
Colston Creek → Upper McKim Creek
4.2RM 74.8 – 79.0——1:12hrs—
Upper McKim Creek → Elk Bend
10.0RM 79.0 – 89.0——2:51hrs—
Elk Bend → Waddington Creek
3.2RM 89.0 – 92.2——0:55hrs—
Waddington Creek → Island Park
21.6RM 92.2 – 113.8——6:10hrs—
Island Park → Carmen Bridge
4.3RM 113.8 – 118.1——1:14hrs—
Carmen Bridge → Tower Rock Recreation Site
6.6RM 118.1 – 124.7——1:53hrs—
Tower Rock Recreation Site → Red Rock
3.3RM 124.7 – 128.0——0:57hrs—
Red Rock → Fourth Of July
2.5RM 128.0 – 130.5——0:43hrs—
Fourth Of July → Bobcat Gulch
1.9RM 130.5 – 132.4——0:33hrs—
Bobcat Gulch → North Fork
3.6RM 132.4 – 136.0——1:02hrs—
Lightning Creek → Maynard Hole
11.3RM 289.2 – 300.5——3:14hrs4max III
Maynard Hole → Long Gulch
1.1RM 300.5 – 301.6——0:19hrs—
Long Gulch → Twin Bridges
5.1RM 301.6 – 306.7——1:27hrs1max III
Twin Bridges → Campbell Flat
4.8RM 306.7 – 311.5——1:22hrs—

Basin Snowpack

SNOTEL 20
  • Darkhorse Lake
    8,930 ft
    --
    --%
  • Slagamelt Lakes
    8,600 ft
    --
    --%
  • Mill Creek Summit
    8,780 ft
    --
    --%
  • Bloody Dick
    7,570 ft
    --
    --%
  • Schwartz Lake
    8,620 ft
    --
    --%
  • Banner Summit
    7,040 ft
    --
    --%

Quick Facts

Total Length
317 miles
Gauge Stations
5
Segments
6
Rapids
20
Boat Ramps
25
Access Sites
32

Elevation Profile

Elevation data not yet available for this river.

Boat Ramps & Access

31 sites · 25 boat ramps
  • RM 18

    South Butte

    Boat ramp✓ RestroomIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 37

    Bayhorse Recreation Site

    Boat ramp✓ RestroomIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 46

    Challis Bridge Recreation Site

    Boat ramp✓ RestroomIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 52

    Pennal Gulch

    Boat rampIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 56

    Tappan

    Boat rampIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 60

    Watts Bridge

    Boat ramp✓ RestroomIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 66

    Cottonwood Recreation Site

    Boat ramp✓ RestroomIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 68

    Ellis South

    Fishing accessIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 68

    Ellis North

    Fishing accessIdaho Department of Fish and Game
  • RM 69

    Ellis Walking Easement

    Fishing accessIdaho Department of Fish and Game
Fishing Intel

Current Hatches

No hatch calendar on file for this river yet.

Recommended Flies — Early November

No recommended flies on file for this river yet.

Float time estimates
  • South Butte → Bayhorse Recreation Site
    19.2 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Bayhorse Recreation Site → Challis Bridge Recreation Site
    8.6 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Challis Bridge Recreation Site → Pennal Gulch
    6.4 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Pennal Gulch → Tappan
    4 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Tappan → Watts Bridge
    4.3 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Watts Bridge → Cottonwood Recreation Site
    5.3 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Cottonwood Recreation Site → Deer Gulch
    3.7 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Deer Gulch → Cronks Canyon
    3.1 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Cronks Canyon → Colston Creek
    2.3 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Colston Creek → Upper McKim Creek
    4.2 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Upper McKim Creek → Elk Bend
    10 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Elk Bend → Waddington Creek
    3.2 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Waddington Creek → Island Park
    21.6 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Island Park → Carmen Bridge
    4.3 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Carmen Bridge → Tower Rock Recreation Site
    6.6 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Tower Rock Recreation Site → Red Rock
    3.3 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Red Rock → Fourth Of July
    2.5 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Fourth Of July → Bobcat Gulch
    1.9 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Bobcat Gulch → North Fork
    3.6 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Lightning Creek → Maynard Hole
    11.3 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Maynard Hole → Long Gulch
    1.1 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Long Gulch → Twin Bridges
    5.1 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Twin Bridges → Campbell Flat
    4.8 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min

Notable Rapids

IV

Black Creek Falls

River mile 203.1

IV

Elkhorn Rapid

River mile 222.6

III

Piece of Cake

River mile 0.8

III

Warm Springs Gorge (The Narrows)

River mile 3.2

III

Lantz Rapid

River mile 193.6

III

Vinegar Creek Rapid

River mile 260.3

III

Time Zone Rapid

River mile 287.4

III

Chair Creek Rapid

River mile 290.0

III

Traps Creek Rapid

River mile 290.5

III

Fiddle Creek Rapid

River mile 291.0

III

Black Rock Rapid

River mile 293.1

III

Blackhawk Rapid

River mile 303.5

Season Timing
Fishing
Floating
Runoff
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Regulations & Alerts

Spring Runoff Advisory

Water levels rising due to snowmelt. Exercise caution on all sections.

Browns Canyon National Monument

Special management area. No motorized boats permitted.

Catch & Release

Browns Canyon section: catch & release only for all trout species.

Bag & Possession Limits

Standard CO regulations: 4 trout per day, only 1 over 16".

Shuttle Distances

South Butte→Bayhorse Recreation Site

19.2 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Bayhorse Recreation Site→Challis Bridge Recreation Site

8.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Challis Bridge Recreation Site→Pennal Gulch

6.4 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Pennal Gulch→Tappan

4 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Tappan→Watts Bridge

4.3 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Watts Bridge→Cottonwood Recreation Site

5.3 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Cottonwood Recreation Site→Ellis South

2.1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Ellis South→Ellis North

0.4 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Ellis North→Ellis Walking Easement

0.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Ellis Walking Easement→Deer Gulch

0.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Deer Gulch→Cronks Canyon

3.1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Cronks Canyon→Colston Creek

2.3 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Colston Creek→Upper McKim Creek

4.2 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Upper McKim Creek→Lower McKim Creek

1.3 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Lower McKim Creek→Elk Bend

8.7 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Elk Bend→Lime Creek

2.2 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Lime Creek→Waddington Creek

1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Waddington Creek→Island Park

21.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Island Park→Lemhi Hole

0.7 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Lemhi Hole→Carmen Bridge

3.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Carmen Bridge→Tower Rock Recreation Site

6.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Tower Rock Recreation Site→Red Rock

3.3 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Red Rock→Fourth Of July

2.5 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Fourth Of July→Bobcat Gulch

1.9 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Bobcat Gulch→North Fork

3.6 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Lightning Creek→Maynard Hole

11.3 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Maynard Hole→Long Gulch

1.1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Long Gulch→Twin Bridges

5.1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Twin Bridges→Campbell Flat

4.8 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

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