Lava Hot Springs to PVC diversion

The river bed is- predictably- lava rock and the drops tend to be river wide ledges. The ledges are quite regular and thus tend to get stickier and stickier as flows grow. The stretch has long been a summer tubing run from the thai restaraunt down at flow of 300cfs and less. But buyer beware at higher flows. At flows of 400-700 it is great kayak fun. A surf wave comes in at the bridge near the hot pools and tourists stop to watch. at flows of 700-900 it is a surprisingly tough stretch. At flows above 1000 the holes are extremely sticky and nasty nasty swims are possible. At this level full creeking gear, throw bags and scouting is highly reccommended. A good boof stroke is mandatory as is a bomber roll and a good crew.The first drop (about an 8 footer) about took a guy last year. he had an extended hole swim (appx 2 minutes totally submerged). His boat didn't reappear for over 20 minutes. Take this little stretch seriously at higher flows. I am reluctant to grade it but am comfoirtable in class IV and this stretch scares me above 1000cfs. Possible put-in a few miles above the highway 30 bridge at the sportsmen campground on blaser road. There's a scoutable dam 50 yards above the highway 30 bridge and two small class 3 drops before entering the KOA campground area. Above 550 cfs these two drops above the KOA campground have holes/hydraulics you should boof over. ------------------------------------------------------ Recommended put in: KOA Campground at furthest upriver launch in campground. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rapids are scoutable from koa campground.------------------------------------- 1st Rapid (II-III): Small 10' wide ledge that creates small hydraulic above 550cfs. avoid bushes on river right directly after dropping ledge. boof center.----------------------------------------------------------- 2nd Rapid (Class III Drop): drop center left to catch large eddy. From here the river splits. You can ferry across far river right to rapid #3 (AOK Falls) or drop left to rapid #4 and bypass AOK Falls. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd Rapid (AOK Falls IV): The entrance to AOK falls is immediately after rapid #2 to the far river right with a 3' wide entrance drop through the trees/bushes followed by a 13' sheer drop into a pool. This rapid is scoutable from the campground. It is recommended to catch the river left eddy after rapid #2 , then ferry into the AOK entrance. Attempt to drop left of AOK falls as river right of the falls has a tree growing out of the falls/wall-------------------------------------------------- 4th Rapid ( IV Left option bypassing AOK Falls): This is a 30-50 yard continuous rapid that is class 4 above 550CFS. Avoid the strainer bushes/trees by entering the rapid to the left at the entrance. ----------------------------------- 5th Rapid (II left, III right) (Mary's Campground Metal Bridge): Avoid Pylons. The right line has a small hydraulic that should be boofed above 550cfs. The left line is a safer bet, avoiding the pylons, with two smaller drops. -------------------------------------- 6th Rapid III (End of KOA Campground): Above 550cfs hydraulic. Run far river left to skirt around hydraulic or boof over the center.---------------------------------------------- 7th Rapid (The Hydrant) III-IV depending on level (Behind Thai Restaurant): Large Drop with a tongue right down the middle. hole on left. ----------------------------------------- 8th Rapid III-IV (Tuber Falls): At low levels this could be run nearly anywhere. At higher levels >500 run far river left. There is a serious potential for pinning against a partially submerged rock on river right at higher flows. ------------------------------------------ The remainder of the river is wave train/laterals II-III. There is an unnamed public park takeout at 42.623215, -112.020968 (.5 miles, just after town on river right) Data from Pacific NW Rivers Study, Stan Allen, Idaho Coordinator