Selway, Idaho, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | IV (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 47 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 28 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELWAY RIVER NR LOWELL ID | ||||
| usgs-13336500 | 700 - 35000 cfs | IV | 00h37m | 1000 cfs (rc= 0.1 ) |
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SEASON: Most dependable flows typically occur during late June. Snow often prevents access through May, peak snow melt in early June may make the river dangerously high, and flows are often too low by mid-July. Those looking to access the river before the control season may be able to do so by hiring transport by snowmobile. Flying in to Shearer airstrip, 15 miles downstream from the put-in, is also a possibility.
DESCRIPTION:
The Selway River is a designated Wild and Scenic River flowing through the Selway-Bitterroot
Wilderness Area. It is considered by many to be one of North America's premiere wilderness
whitewater trips and groups typically spend 3-5 days on this 47 mile run.
The classic drops include Ham, Double Drop, Ladel, and Little Niagra.
All boaters must have a permit. There is one launch per day during the controlled season - May 15 through July 31 - and these are assigned through the 4 Rivers Lottery System. Application due January 31.
Paddlers typically refer to the staff gauge at Paradise (the put-in). At 1' to 3' the run is III/IV, 3' to 6' the run is IV , and above 6' the run begins to take on a class V character. Call the river office for current information 406-821-3269. The USGS realtime gauge is near Lowell (the take-out)
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELWAY RIVER NR LOWELL ID | ||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-13336500 | 700 - 35000 cfs | IV | 00h37m | 1000 cfs (rc= 0.1 ) | ||||||||||||||||
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Many paddlers use the foot gage at the Paradise Boat Launch, though this gage is not on-line. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selway River [ID] |
Unloading gear at Shearer airstrip |
420cfs - too low | n/a | |
| 187d10h36m | @Selway 1 - Paradise to Selway Falls [ID] |
Selway River Trip |
1800 cfs | Thomas O'Keefe |
| 1y152d13h00m | @Selway 1 - Paradise to Selway Falls [ID] |
little niagra, about 7.5' |
n/a | team 85 |
| 1y152d13h05m | @Selway 1 - Paradise to Selway Falls [ID] |
Somewhere in ladel, about 7.5' |
n/a | team 85 |
| 3y186d00h36m | Selway [ID] |
Camping on the Selway |
n/a | Dave Steindorf |
| 3y187d00h36m | Selway [ID] |
Put-in on the Selway |
1100 cfs | Dave Steindorf |
| 4y153d00h36m | Selway [ID] |
Shearer Airstrip Selway |
420 cfs | jerry spence |
| 4y266d00h36m | Selway [ID] |
Selway |
4.9 ft | Dustin Prinzing |
| 4y282d08h36m | Selway [ID] |
Rock Island Rapid |
8700 cfs | Thomas O'Keefe |
| 5y127d08h36m | Selway [ID] |
Double Drop Rapid at Base Flow |
550 | Kevin Colburn |
| 5y127d08h36m | Selway [ID] |
The Low Water Diet |
550 | Kevin Colburn |
| 5y244d08h36m | Selway [ID] |
Morning on the Selway |
8 ft at Lowell | Kevin Colburn |
| 5y245d08h36m | Selway [ID] |
Ladle |
8ft at Lowell | Kevin Colburn |
| 5y246d08h36m | Selway [ID] |
The Gorge |
8 ft at lowell | Kevin Colburn |
User Comments
over the snow shuttle sevice for $550 per vehicle (2-4 boaters or 4-6 kayakers) Call Jason
Clinkenbeard (406) 239-3529 he has taken our party over for the last 7 years without fail and has
been providing the shuttle since 1997. He is permitted with the USFS and insured. Early floats are
a blast with not so high of water as seen in peak run off although it can be bit colder, have good
dry gear. Garrett Hobbs Edit