The 2024 rafting season has commenced, and with it outfitter OARS has released its annual Western Rafting Outlook, highlighting current snowpack totals in the Western U.S. This year’s report follows on the heels of an historic high-water season of 2023 in places like California, so read on to see how the season is shaping up.
“Generally, snowpacks across the areas where we operate are averaging out. Not too high, not too low, but just right—’Goldilocks conditions’ for 2024,”” says OARS director of operations Seth Davis.
Where to Find the Best Whitewater in the West
“For those in search of thrilling high-water trips, there’s good news,” says Seth Davis, OARS Director of Operations. “While this year might not be marked by consistently high water, there will be periods when certain trips encounter higher flows. It’s all about timing and choosing the right dates to book those trips.”
- Many of the West’s most popular whitewater rivers, like Oregon’s Rogue River, Utah’s Green River through the Gates of Lodore and Desolation Canyon, as well as Idaho’s Snake River will have optimal rafting conditions this season thanks to robust snowpack numbers across the majority of the West for the second year in a row, with the exception of the Northwest and northern Rockies.
- Those looking to experience the excitement of a high-water trip should set their sites on an early season trip between mid-May to early-June during peak snowmelt on free-flowing rivers like the Yampa on the Colorado-Utah border and Utah’s Colorado River through Cataract Canyon, which is forecasted to peak at an exciting 45,000 cubic feet per second (CFS).
- In California, it’s been a story of too much water or not enough in recent years, but this year’s near average to slightly above average snowpack numbers and healthy reservoir levels across the board means outfitters will have a consistent and long season on California’s dam-controlled rivers like the South Fork and Middle Fork of the American River, as well as the Tuolumne River near Yosemite. Meanwhile, the free-flowing North Fork of the American is expected to have raftable flows into early June, while the Merced River should be a good option for rafters into late June or early July, depending on how quickly the snow melts.
- A near normal snowpack in the Salmon River Basin means business as usual for the popular Lower, Main and Middle Fork of the Salmon River with elevated flows on early season trips, then tapering for the rest of the season, providing reliable flows into September.
- For the second year in a row, the Owyhee River on the Idaho-Oregon border is enjoying a snowpack that’s over 200% of normal, which means outfitters are well-poised to run this beloved spring trip that relies on “just right” water levels and weather patterns each season. Catch it if you can.
- And it’s business as usual in Grand Canyon. Lars Haarr, OARS Grand Canyon Operations Manager says, “The great thing about boating in Grand Canyon is that no matter what the water level, there are going to be fun rapids—some are better at higher flows, and others better at lower or more moderate flows. Of course, there’s always the fan-favorites of Hance, Hermit, Crystal, and Lava Falls, which offer excitement no matter the water level.”
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Read the full report here.