An official website of the United States government. It has become increasingly popular for recreation despite its rugged nature and limited access. The drop-and-pool river offers thrilling whitewater, and slow-moving, serene pools providing boaters with an excellent opportunity to view an ever-changing scene of water and land forms. The Owyhee River is a very special fishery and we look forward to sharing it with you. The river travels through steep canyon area, valley communities and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Owyhee River Rafting Canyonlands Wilderness. California bighorn sheep are present, as are mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, cougars, bobcats and a variety of smaller mammals such as coyotes, badgers, otters, muskrats, marmots, raccoons, porcupines, and jack and cotton-tail rabbits. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text Station operated in cooperation with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text Station operated in cooperation with Bonneville Power Administration. ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Originating in Northeastern Nevada near the town of Owyhee, the river steadily pushes northwest through Idaho’s southwest corner, where it is augmented by the floatable and challenging South Fork of the Owyhee River (also a Nevada native) before crossing into Our journey into this region introduces us to a bizarre landscape of lava flows, and cliffs of both sandstone and granite found side by side. The rugged country and streams in the Owyhee River watershed in eastern Oregon represent one of the best remaining opportunities for landscape-scale conservation in the West. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. With winter flows and temperatures taking hold expect the majority of the hatches to take place during the afternoon when it’s the warmest part of the day. The canyon rims are often eroded into a multitude of towering spires, while in other areas the canyon walls reach to the sky as fractured, blocky monoliths tinted with brilliant green, yellow and orange microflora. Nyssa, Ore.-based OID increased river flows from the typical winter level of about 30 cubic feet per second to 253 cfs, usually not seen until irrigation season ramps up each spring. Owyhee River. The Owyhee is a natural flowing river. Campsites with sandy beaches and easy kitchen access abound, and several good hotsprings are situated along the river. through this beautiful canyon. Despite its limited access and rough terrain, the canyon has become a popular destination for its scenic beauty and unspoiled character. The rapids are not difficult, particularly at moderately high flows. The canyons of the Owyhee River are dramatic, awe-inspiring landforms. Owyhee River Fishing Report Fishing has been getting more and more consistent as we … Runnable flows can be anywhere between 800 to 8000 cfs! The Owyhee is recognized nationally as a prime early-season whitewater destination, popular for commercial and non-commercial river runners. Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, Section 7 Flowchart & Sample Determinations, Owyhee, Bruneau & Jarbidge Rivers Boating Guide, Owyhee River Management Plan & Environmental Assessment. Explore this National Wild and Scenic River by floating some of its 120 miles through rugged, spectacular canyonlands and ash flows. 1/11/21. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The headwaters of the Owyhee River are found in Elko County in northeastern Nevada. Low lying roads, river access and recreation sites adjacent to the river will flood. In the afternoon look for a decent midge hatch to come off that may present some dry fly activity if you are lucky. The "Hole in the Ground" petroglyph site is one of the most outstanding sites of its kind in eastern Oregon. The entire segment is classified as ‘wild.’ The Owyhee flows through areas that are remote, arid and sparsely populated. Thousands of feet of sediment were deposited in the lakes which were subsequently drained as streams eroded through the basalt dams. About Owyhee River Rafting. Outstanding recreation abounds in the canyon, including rafting, drift boating, kayaking, hiking, photography, nature study, fishing, hunting and camping. When the snowpack at Jack Creek Upper goest the zero, the river flow typically drops below 300 cfs. Farm equipment near the river may need to be moved. Swainson's, ferruginous and red-tailed hawks, as well as American kestrels and northern harriers are common, and prairie falcon and sharp-shinned hawks have been observed frequently. Where overlying basalt is present, rhyolite (rock created by lava flow) formations are nestled in the rubble slopes below vertical walls of basalt. In just 346 miles, the Owyhee River ­flows through three states and some of the most remote country in the Northwest. The North Fork Owyhee River consists of steep vertical walled canyon ranging in depth from 200 to 500 feet. Much of the river cuts through deeply incised canyons that, along with canyon rims, are home to a rich assortment of wildlife. Winters see large numbers of Canada geese, mallards, redheads, teals, scaups, mergansers and grebes. The Owyhee and its tributaries gather watershed from the Owyhee Plateau. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. This wild river corridor flows through southeastern Oregon from the Idaho/Oregon state line to Owyhee Reservoir. The Owyhee is a year-round fishery with summer flows around 300 c.f.s., while winter flows average 30 c.f.s. Cliffs occasionally drop hundreds of feet directly into the river. The Owyhee watershed would have provided the major source of water, fuel, food and protected campsites in the harsh environment of southern Oregon. Golden eagles are abundant year-round, and bald eagles winter in the canyons. The most important community along the Owyhee river north of Jordan Creek was Watson, which ironically does not appear on BLM maps. Approximately 30 river miles upstream from the project area the Owyhee River is regulated by the Wild Horse Dam and Reservoir. River-running in rafts and kayaks through the steep-walled canyon is the most popular recreational activity from late March through early June. Additional Resources & River Maps. Benchlands were formed during a period of intensive volcanic activity. From Three Forks downstream to China Gulch. Owyhee Wild & Scenic River This wild river corridor flows through southeastern Oregon from the Idaho/Oregon state line to Owyhee Reservoir. Owyhee, Bruneau & Jarbidge Rivers Boating Guide The Owyhee River Fly Fishing Report as of March 29, 2020. It flows north along the east side of the Independence Mountains of Nevada, passing through Wild Horse Reservoir and then cutting northeast past the north end of the range. The Bruneau River offers runs of varying difficulty. Approximately 100 prehistoric campsites have been recorded on the lower segment of the Owyhee River between the Rome Launch Site and Burnt Creek Ranch. It then enters southwestern Idaho, flowing northw… Vale, OR 97918. Another big advantage of the lower Owyhee is ease of boating. Exploring the canyon on foot provides opportunities for photography and nature study. The Owyhee River and its tributaries are located in the "Owyhee Volcanic Field," an area of volcanic activity from the Miocene Era (25 to 3 million years ago). Beginning in northern Nevada, the Owyhee River flows northward toward southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho before it joins, as a major tributary, the Snake River. Snowpack information for the Owyhee River Basin in Idaho can be found on the USDA NRCS web site. Birds are especially abundant, both in number of species and number of individuals. The Owyhee and its tributaries gather watershed from the Owyhee Plateau. Give it a couple of days! Experts describe two seasons on the river: high water and low water. Vale District Office The geologic features are influenced by faulting and warping. At flows around 3000 cfs, … It’s a place to be fished year-round with some care. In 1984, Congress designated 120 miles (193 km) of the Owyhee, beginning at the Idaho-Oregon border downstream to the Owyhee R… Owyhee River, Oregon Tucked away in eastern Oregon, not far from Boise, Idaho, Oregon’s finest trophy brown trout river flows discreetly through desert rim rock and sage. Riparian vegetation attracts unique populations of songbirds, and upland game birds include large populations of chukar partridge, California quail and Hungarian partridge. LockA locked padlock The Owyhee has a […] The Owyhee River flows through one of the most remote regions in North America. Proceed another 0.3 miles to the Rome Launch Site. The Owyhee River greets one with impressive canyons that rise … The South Fork Owyhee River flows north through the Owyhee desert, joining the river's East Fork in southwestern Idaho. The name of the river… BLM Owyhee River Map (PDF) Owyhee River Management Plan & Environmental Assessment. Station Number Station name Long-term mean flow 1/17 Gage height, feet Dis-charge, ft3/s Date/Time Undefined: 362605114163001 South Fork Owyhee (Pipeline Crossing) to Mainstem Owyhee (Three Forks), approximately 69 River Miles. The Owyhee River is a rarely visited but mesmerizing river in its bizarre beauty, an unplucked jewel in itself. Reddish-brown canyon walls, sharply contrasted by the colorful, eroded chalky cliffs, reach up to 1,000 feet above the pristine sagebrush and grass-covered and talus slopes that form the river's edge. I had been talking to my friend Mark about doing a river trip the week of April 16 in the upper Owyhee area (South Fork or East Fork). The volume depends on the interplay between the spring rains and how the higher elevation snowpack melts off. The North Fork Owyhee River, characterized by steep, vertical walled canyons, emerges from the North Fork Owyhee Wilderness and flows west toward Oregon. The Owyhee River, in the southeastern corner of Oregon, is a 280-mile-long tributary of the Snake River.It flows northward from its Nevada headwaters through Idaho, cuts through the arid uplands of southeastern Oregon, and flows into the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho state line near Adrian.Much of the river flows through a remote and almost unpopulated area. Gleaming basalt bluffs cascade down to desolate, soft beaches speckled with the lure of undiscovered gemstones. (It excludes the Rome Valley, which is a ranching and agricultural area.) The headwaters of the Owyhee River are found in Elko County in northeastern Nevada. Flies that Caught Fish: #10 Olive Slow Stone *SF Boise River closed now until Memorial Weekend. The source of the Owyhee River is in northeastern Nevada, in northern Elko County, approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of the city of Elko. Sport fishery includes remnant populations of rainbow trout and excellent populations of catfish and smallmouth bass. A lock ( Guided fishing is all walk-and-wade on the Owyhee River. Seen as barren by the first explorers to today's first-time visitors, the rivers of the high desert simply hide their treasures well. 100 Oregon Street In 1984, Congress designated 120 miles (193 km) of the Owyhee, beginning at the Idaho-Oregon border downstream to the Owyhee Reservoir (excluding two short segments). The Owyhee River Canyon provides diverse habitat for over 200 species of wildlife. The river was included in the National Wild and Scenic River System in 1984 because of its outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, wildlife, and cultural values. From Rome, Oregon: Head east 0.3 miles on US Highway 95 over the Owyhee River, and turn right (south) on the first graveled road. (It excludes the Rome Valley, which is a ranching and agricultural area.) There are numerous pool-drop Class II and III rapids. The river travels through steep canyon area, valley communities and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The colors within the canyon vary from mainly buff or reddish-colored rhyolite and darker basalt to the area called Chalk Basin typified by alternate very dark and chalk-colored deposits. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge Wild & Scenic Rivers Boating Guide. 4 Day Owyhee "Canyonlands" Wilderness Trip. Fly-anglers rule this picturesque stretch in Lake Owyhee State Park, before the Owyhee River becomes a slow, agricultural river outside the canyon. A portion of the river valley is structurally controlled by a fault which has down-dropped the east side of the canyon relative to the west side. The Owyhee River flows to the northwest through the south west corner of Idaho and south eastern Oregon before joining the Snake River at the Oregon-Idaho border, west of Boise, Idaho. Boise River - South Fork - Thursday, Mar 31st, 2016 Conditions: 60+º/Light breeze upriver/Bright sunshine. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A new report concludes that officials lacked a coordinated plan to alert the public to unprecedented wildfires in Northern California last year. The Owyhee flows north along the east side of the Independence Mountains before it proceeds through southwestern Idaho where it is joined by the South Fork of the Owyhee River before reaching the Oregon border.