Cascade White Water Park & Riggins, Idaho

By Devon Barker

Cascade, Idaho New White Water Park

I flew into Boise from Santa Cruz on Monday and drove right to Cascade, Idaho. Cascade sits on the North Fork of the Payette River. They have a 2.5-mile section in town from bridge to bridge. This is the purposed location for a white water park. I put on at 7pm and was in for a beautiful paddle with a sunset over the snowy mountains with a blue heron perched on a mid stream log who took to flight effortlessly right in front of me. There are two rapids on the run and there is a proposed walking trail for the 2.5 miles as well. Cascade has the makings for one of the best parks in the USA. The other best part, 22 miles from my home.

Stream flows are here at under Payette River at Horseshoe Bend. The flow was 3,500 cfs on Monday.

More to come from the White Water State,
devon

Rodeo Hole on Salmon River and Salmon Rapids Lodge

After a day on the Payette I went over the hill to the Salmon River drainage to one of my favorite play spots, Rodeo Hole. I had my first window shade in this hole in a Godzilla kayak. I have been going here for a while. The sun was out, the loops were huge as there was a Star, All Star, and a Super Star on the water for the last three days. You do have to sprint back up along a rock wall to the top of the eddy. This makes for a perfect training spot. Titus and Longley got their first loops. There was tons of hollering going. It was cold here last night. I think I am headed to run the Little Salmon River, which is just outside my door here at the Salmon Rapids Lodge. With the cold night the river dropped below 9,500 making for a river run a little more fun today. I am headed out the door so I can make it back in time to soak in the riverside hot tub at the Lodge before heading back to McCall.
Stream flows are here under Salmon River at Whitebird. I like this spot the best between 10,000 cfs to 18,000 cfs.