3. T.J. Menach Bridge in Spokane to Plese Flats (Lower)

Although it is in the city limits, the Spokane River has a feel of wilderness as the majority of the run goes through Riverside State Park, a 14,000 acre park along the shores of the river. The river cascades over the dramatic Upper and Lower Spokane Falls in the center of downtown Spokane. The first access downstream of the falls in Peaceful Valley is the start of a four mile float with a few riffles and swift current down to T.J. Menach Bridge. The area around the Sandifur pedestrian bridge, has been considered as the site for a whitewater park. Use caution as you approach the bridge abutments which have resulted in wrapped boats of inattentive paddlers. From the put-in for the T.J. Menach Bridge, which is the standard put-in for the whitewater run, it is a leisurely float for 1.5 miles. The first small set of waves occurs just around the first left turn. Depending on flows, paddlers will find occasional catch-on-the run playwaves. At the bottom of the rapids, a unique little playhole known to locals as the "poop-hole" serves up some fun. It draws its name from its proximity to the water treatment plant (no poop here!). This can be a fun little warm-up when the level is right (~11,000). More slow water flows past the treatment plant. A utility bridge overhead has a sign indicating "dangerous rapids ahead - take-out 300 yards." This marks the entry to the campground area of Riverside State park. The take out here is quite far from the first major rapid the "Bowl and Pitcher." An access trail on river right can be used either as a take out or to scout the Bowl and Pitcher. You are much better off scouting Bowl and Pitcher on the shuttle by entering the campground and going to the suspension walk bridge which puts you right in the middle of the Bowl and Pitcher. There are numerous viewpoints around the park to get a feel for this drop. Pay particular attention to river left below the bridge as a nasty "room of doom" can be lethal at certain flows. From the overhead utility bridge, paddlers encounter more slow-moving water entering the Bowl and Pitcher area. When the water picks up speed, you'll enter a 200 yard wavetrain that at around 6,000 - 9,500 cfs produces a great little surfwave locals call the Ledge Wave. It is on river left about half way through this rapid. A small eddy just above a large basalt outcropping can be used to enter the ledge. Beware that as you enter this eddy, the basalt wall is slightly undercut and the currents difficult to judge. After this you will flow around a slow right turn and be able to see the suspension bridge. Numerous waves and occasional holes mark the entry, so plan ahead at higher flows to work towards the center or river right to avoid the previously mentioned hazard on river left. At flows above 7500, the bridge wave begins to appear and gets to be quite a large and super fast surf at higher flows. A recovery eddy below the bridge on river right is available. Below the viewpoint lookout above you, a nice playhole comes in depending on flow. The river then makes a sharp right turn and enters slower moving water for 1/4 mile. The next left turn you'll come to features another wavetrain that is straight forward, yielding an occasional surf wave also caught on the run. Halfway through this rapid, another red warning sign indicates a significant rapid. The current slows on its approach to the next major rapid, the "Devil's Toenail." This can also be scouted on the shuttle by using the pullout 1 mile below the campground. The run is typically on the right, but can be run middle or left depending on skill and flows. Beware of the large hole that takes up the river left above 15000cfs! After a slight break, more waves and holes again provide great fun depending on flows and continue for the next 1/3 mile. At flows above 20,000 cfs, beware of what locals call "CYCLOPS"! This nasty hole is barely discernable from above if you are leisurely floating the middle of the river. A small deceptive pillow wave before it is the subtle indication of the point where the river drops into this horrendous reversal. At normal flows (