Bruneau/Jarbidge River System
The Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers – Carved in Stone
Water worked its magic for tens of thousands of years to chisel the canyons through the basalt and rhyolite of southwestern Idaho. The Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers rise from snowmelt and springs, their courses literally carved in stone. They flow through deep, wild and remote desert canyons, where spectacular beauty – and potential danger – may both lie around the next bend of the river.
The 69-mile Bruneau/Jarbidge River System flows north from the mountains of northern Nevada through the Owyhee Uplands to the Snake River in southern Idaho. The Jarbidge River joins with the West Fork Bruneau River to form the Bruneau River about 24 miles north of the Nevada border, just upstream of Indian Hot Springs. These rivers provide challenging whitewater, but also significant danger due to dramatic variations in flows, severe weather, log jams and portages.
The primary float season generally runs from April through mid June, and the Bruneau River flows usually peak in mid to late May. Optimal flows for rafting the Bruneau are between 800 and 2,000 cfs on the Bruneau River gauge. Due to its narrow, rocky channel, and one or more portages, the Jarbidge is primarily boated by kayakers. At some flows, the Jarbidge is passable for small rafts and catarafts. Depending on flows, both the Jarbidge and Bruneau Rivers may also be kayaked in late June and early July. The rivers are not recommended for boating in any craft when the Bruneau gauge reading exceeds 2,500 cfs.
The Five Mile Rapids of the Bruneau River, located in the lower reach of the canyon, presents an incredibly challenging experience for floaters. The combination of this section’s steep gradient and constant Class III-IV rapids forms the most difficult section of the Bruneau River. It is possible to take out above Five Mile Rapids by hiking up the Roberson Trail to a road at the canyon’s eastern rimrock. However, this is an arduous climb of 700 vertical feet.
The West Fork Bruneau River should be run only by kayak and only by expert kayakers. The West Fork is extremely dangerous due to its small size, strenuous portages and numerous difficult rapids.
This river system is located in a remote environment that is far from emergency help. Your cell phone won’t work here. Each boater should have proper equipment for quickly changing weather conditions and be self-sufficient to handle any medical, rescue, repair or other emergencies that may arise. Boaters should choose river stretches that are appropriate for their experience level.
River Regulations:
- Maximum party size-15
- Fire pans are mandatory. Fire pan contents must be removed from river corridor
- All boaters must carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD) and be prepared to wear it for the duration of the trip.
- Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in.
- Leakproof portable toilet units are required.
- All human and dog waste must be carried out and disposed of properly.
- Boaters may encounter Native American artifacts such as petroglyphs on the rock faces along the river. Help preserve the cultural items around this area. Don’t disturb these reminders of the past and leave them for future boaters to enjoy. Vandalism of these historical objects is punishable under federal law.
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