Murphy to Bruneau
Idaho – US
- Class
- III- to V
- Length
- 31 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 41.8 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 4,987 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 3,689 Feet
- Typical season
- April to July
Current Flow
43 CFS
Gauge height: 4.53 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:00 PM
▲ 0.15/hr (12h) ▲ 0.08/hr (24h)
Don't bother
- Primary gauge
- BRUNEAU RIVER NR HOT SPRING ID Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 700 |
| Average | 1,100 |
| Maximum | 2,600 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
No photos added for this run yet.
Description
This river drains a seldom seen or used section (other than farming) of southern Idaho. The word Jarbidge is thought to mean demon, devil or monster in the Shoshone Indian language.
Lots of class III and IV on this river with several mandatory portages. This canyon is remote and would be hard for helicopter rescue to reach you. Before you attempt this canyon make sure you've read the BLM requirements, are comfortable boating up to class IV and know the river and where you will be portaging. Jarbidge falls would not be fun running if you miss the pull out above it. Also carry a sat. phone and/or spot tracker as well as first aid equipment.
On all sections of this river and especially near the put-in be aware of logjams and sweepers. The upper part of the river is narrow with quick running water so always be prepared to pull over or act evasively. Also Poison Ivy is plentiful in this canyon so be careful when scouting, camping and portaging.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid 1 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 2 | Rapid 2 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 3 | Rapid 3 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 4 | Rapid 4 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 5 | Rapid 5 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 6 | Rapid 6 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 7 | Rapid 7 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 8 | Rapid 8 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 9 | Rapid 9 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 10 | Rapid 10 | III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 11 | Rapid 11 | III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 12 | Rapid 12 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 13 | Rapid 13 | III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 14 | Rapid 14 | III+ to IV | 700–2,500 | ||
| 15 | Rapid 15 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 16 | Rapid 16 | III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 17 | Rapid 17 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 18 | Rapid 18 | III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 19 | Sevy Falls Rapid | IV | 700–2,500 | This is the first of the possible portages on the Jarbidge. Running in a raft will be more difficult than a smaller craft like a Kayak. Scout and decide whether you line your boats or run it. Below Sevy is a continuous class II to III section that runs for roughly a mile. |
At lower water there is a sandbar directly above the falls you can scout from. Otherwise scout from the right bank. |
| 20 | Tonsmeire Torrent Rapids | III to III+ | 700–2,500 | Starting at this point for the next mile the river is continuous class II to III swift water. The Tonsmeire Torrent ends where Arch Canyon enters on river left a little over a mile below Sevy Falls. |
Read and run but watch for logjams. |
| 21 | Rapid 19 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 22 | Rapid 20 | III | 700–2,500 | This is a longer stretch of class III rapids |
|
| 23 | Rapid 21 | III | 700–2,500 | Another longer stretch of class III |
|
| 24 | Rapid 22 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 25 | Rapid 23 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 26 | Rapid 24 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 27 | Wally's Wallow Rapid | IV | 700–2,500 | Another possible portage here. This is a solid class IV rapid. This rapid has large boulders choked with trees in it. If you decide to kayak this, scout thoroughly and consider setting up safeties. |
Scout on the right |
| 28 | Rapid 25 | IV- to IV | 800–2,500 | The river narrows a little here and many boulders must be navigated through. |
|
| 29 | Rapid 26 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 30 | Rapid 26 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 31 | Rapid 27 | III | 700–2,500 | A long stretch of class III |
|
| 32 | Rapid 28 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 33 | Rapid 29 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 34 | The Maze Rapid | IV | 700–2,500 | As the name suggests you must work your way through the boulder strewn riverbed. |
Scout on the left |
| 35 | Rapid 30 | III- to IV | 700–2,500 | ||
| 36 | Rapid 31 | III | 700–2,500 | A series of class III action for the next 1/2 mile |
|
| 37 | Jarbidge Falls | V to V+ | 700–2,500 | This is a highly recommended portage. Trail is on river left. Jarbidge Falls is formed by a large rock slide coming down the right bank. Keep an eye out for the rock Talus and a large (house or bus) sized rock signaling the beginning of the falls. Be sure to pull out above the large rock. You don't want to miss the eddy and accidentally run this. |
Admire it as you portage around it. |
| 38 | Rapid 32 | III- to III | 700–2,500 | ||
| 39 | Rapid 33 | III | 700–2,500 |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Jarbidge Confluence | 4,987 Feet | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | From Rogerson Idaho on Highway 93 turn west on 1520 N road. Follow this road to Murphy Hot Springs. The road eventually turns into Jarbidge or 3 Creek Road so don't get confused by the names. You will follow the road around 30-35 miles. Just past the hot springs and the airport strip you will drop down into the East Jardbidge fork drainage. Head northwest down this drainage to the confluence of the west and east forks of the Jarbidge. |
| Take-Out | Bruneau Launch Site | 3,689 Feet | Yes | No | No | 4WD Only | This boat access area can be used for the Jarbidge Take-Out or the Main Bruneau Put-in. Getting here by car is on a brutal 4 wheel drive road so have an appropriate vehicle to make the trip |
Camps
| Camp | Fee | Beach | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp 1 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 2 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 3 | No | Yes | A large sandbar on river left |
| Camp 4 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 5 | No | Yes | on river right |
| Camp 6 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 7 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 8 | No | No | on river left |
| Camp 9 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 10 | No | No | on river left |
| Camp 11 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 12 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 13 | No | Yes | on river left |
| Camp 14 | No | No | on river left |
| Camp 15 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 16 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 17 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 18 | No | No | on river right |
| Camp 19 | No | No | on river left |
| Camp 20 | No | Yes | on river right, just above the maze rapid |
| Camp 21 | No | No | Nice camp on river right |
| Camp 22 | No | Yes | on river right |
| Camp 23 | No | Yes | Another beach on river left |
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
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