Is the Middle Fork of the Salmon Still Blocked?

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River, located in central Idaho, is one of the most iconic and coveted multi-day whitewater rafting trips in the world. Flowing through the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, this wild and scenic river offers incredible scenery, excellent fishing, and thrilling rapids along its 100+ mile course.

In August 2022, there was a big debris flow on the Middle Fork that blocked the whole river and made things very hard for rafters and outfitters. Huge amounts of rocks, logs, and sediment came into the river from Ramshorn Creek after it rained a lot in the area that had been burned in the 2021 Boundary Fire.

The debris flow formed substantial logjams that made the upper section of the river above the tributary Indian Creek completely impassable to rafts and drift boats This forced outfitters to abandon put-ins at Boundary Creek and instead fly customers into alternate launch points farther downstream using backcountry air services.

Nearly a year later as the 2023 rafting season approaches many are wondering – is the Middle Fork Salmon still blocked by the debris flow? Will the logjams prevent running the full stretch of river this summer?

Current Status of the Middle Fork Salmon Blockage

According to recent reports from the U. S. As of February 2023, the Forest Service said that the big log jams that happened between Ramshorn Creek and Velvet Falls rapid were still not cleared. The debris flow is still there, so rafts can’t get through the upper part of the river above Indian Creek.

However, the Middle Fork Outfitters Association remains optimistic that high spring runoff levels this year could potentially clear the worst of the debris before the summer season starts. The outfitters recognize that the blockage is a natural event that occurs periodically on wilderness rivers like the Middle Fork.

Outfitters plan to closely monitor conditions on the river during spring runoff. If flows are high enough to clear the worst of the debris, Boundary Creek may again be usable as a launch point this summer. However, there is also the possibility that outfitters could again be forced to bypass Boundary and fly customers into alternate launches farther downstream if the blockage persists.

Impacts on 2023 Middle Fork Rafting Season

While the debris flow creates uncertainty about exactly how much of the upper river will be accessible this summer, outfitters don’t expect it will lead to major disruptions for scheduled Middle Fork Salmon rafting trips in 2023.

If necessary, outfitters can adjust launch points and shorten trip lengths slightly to avoid any areas still blocked by the debris flow. For example, flying customers into Indian Creek instead of Boundary Creek would result in missing just the first 20 miles of the river’s total 104 mile length. The majority of the Middle Fork’s rapids and prized wilderness scenery would still be accessible.

There are also several infrastructure construction projects planned in the area that could cause delays or closures to Middle Fork access roads and trails in 2023. Outfitters are working closely with the U.S. Forest Service to stay updated on any temporary closures that could impact launches or takeouts this season.

However, outfitters emphasize that brief road delays are normal when operating in remote wilderness areas. With advance notice and some schedule adjustments, they anticipate still being able to successfully operate full Middle Fork Salmon rafting trips this summer using alternate launch points if needed.

Long-Term Outlook for the Middle Fork Salmon

Even though this big flow of debris was very destructive, it happens all the time on wild rivers that flow freely and have big tributaries that flow down steep, fire-prone slopes. Guides think that the Middle Fork will continue to be a great place to go rafting for many years to come.

Periodic natural blockages have occurred multiple times on the Middle Fork, with previous logjams clearing once sufficient high water arrives. Outfitters are confident the river will once again return to its normal flow in time. Future spring floods will gradually redistrbute sediments and logs, allowing the ecosystem to re-stabilize.

However, climate change will likely make large fires and subsequent debris flows more common in the coming decades on the Middle Fork Salmon and other Western rivers. Outfitters operating in wilderness will need to remain flexible and adapt to changing conditions as similar events occur in the future.

The Forest Service currently has no plans to actively remove the Middle Fork debris flow, as that would go against wilderness management principles. The river will be left to naturally redistribute and re-shape the debris over time. Future rafting seasons may see temporary changes to trip lengths or launch points as the river slowly resets itself after the debris flow.

Key Takeaways:

• As of early 2023, major logjams still block the upper section of Idaho’s Middle Fork Salmon above Indian Creek.

• Outfitters are hopeful spring runoff could clear the worst debris before summer rafting season.

• Some adjustments to launch points may be needed, but full Middle Fork trips are still anticipated this summer.

• Periodic natural debris flows are normal events for wilderness rivers that will correct over time.

• Climate change may increase frequency of fires and debris flows on Western rivers in the future.

• Outfitters will adapt launch points and trip logistics as needed in response to changing conditions.

The Middle Fork Salmon remains a legendary whitewater rafting experience. With flexible planning and some minor adjustments, outfitters expect to offer world-class trips down this wild river for many years to come. The debris flow causes short-term disruptions, but the Middle Fork’s incredible wilderness qualities will continue attracting rafters from across the globe each summer.