Runoff

[JohnScott]

On June 2, the Selway was running about 14,000 CFS and the Lochsa was running about 8,000 CFS.
On June 3, the Selway was running about 29,000 CFS and the Lochsa was running about 20,000 CFS.

But they both did start to drop late yesterday.

John

Both of these rivers in Northern Idaho drain the west slope of the Bitterroot Mountains between Lolo Pass on the North and south of Nez Perce Pass to the south. The Selway drains a network of canyons and tributaries close to 100 miles long and Lochsa drains a similar network about 75 miles long.

[Joel D. Popham]

John,

I don't know what the numbers are, but out my back door, the Clark Fork is the highest and muddiest it has been in 6-7 weeks..... Best Regards...

[JohnScott]

.... the Clark Fork above Missoula is running about 8400 CFS and rising and the Bitterroot above Missoula is running about 10600 CFS. The Blackfoot is running about 4360 CFS, but I don't know if that is included in the Clark Fork number.

The Clark Fork and the Blackfoot are well under averages for this date, and the Bitterroot is just over average but looks like it may be dropping.

With a forecast for a week of clear weather, we could be fishing again by the middle of next week. Rock Creek could be rocking with Salmonflies and Drift Boats.

John

P.S. As a followup to the original comments on the Selway and Lochsa for those not familiar with this area, they converge at Lowell ID to form the Clearwater River. Normal late summer and fall flows are around 600-800 CFS on the Selway and something less on the Lochsa.

Also, one of the scary thoughts I had after posting the numbers is that there is one permitted boat per day on the Selway at Paradise Campground ( about 70 miles upstream of Lowell and 50 miles upstream of Selway Falls ) for what is typically a five day float. That means there were probably four or five groups of white ( brown ) water river rafters on the river for this runoff surge. Let's hope they are faring well under these extraordinary conditions.

[JohnScott]

.... some of the most remote and wild country in the Intermountain West.

The flow on the river dipped to about 21,000 CFS by midday yesterday.

Then it rebounded by adding 12,000 CFS and is running at 33,700 CFS this morning.

Anyone out there rafting between Paradise Camp Ground and Selway Falls is getting the ride of a lifetime. Let's hope they make it through in one piece.

John