Fish Creek to Split Creek
Idaho – US
- Class
- III to IV
- Length
- 11 Mile(s)
- Put-in elevation
- 2,011 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 1,736 Feet
- Typical season
- April to July
Current Flow
1,810 CFS
Gauge height: 3.28 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:00 PM
▼ -3.33/hr (12h) ▼ -1.67/hr (24h)
Hit some laps
- Primary gauge
- LOCHSA RIVER NR LOWELL ID Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 500 |
| Average | 8,000 |
| Maximum | 20,000 |
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 is the most commonly run section of the Lochsa. This is a classic Idaho run that can be enjoyed by lots of boaters at different water levels. Low levels are tame enough rafters and kayakers wanting to step up their game can comfortably with time to recover in between rapids. High flows, things get really pushy and wild. Kayakers can find lots of surf opportunities on this stretch at all flows.
Highway 12 follows the run for the entire stretch so you can scout and shorten or lengthen your float time by however you wish. Because this run is the perfect day trip length, find some good camping near the Lochsa and make an weekend out of visiting this area. Hike, Kayak/Raft and Camp until you can't take anymore of this awesome place.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fish Creek Rapid | III to III+ | 500–20,000 | A long wide and rocky rapid with a big wave hit where the river makes a left turn. |
|
| 2 | Sandy Beach Rapid | III | 500–20,000 | A fun surf spot at lower flows. Located just below the big sandy beach on river right. |
|
| 3 | Mile 119 Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Read and run |
|
| 4 | Killer Fang Falls Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | 2 large rocks at the head of this rapid gives it its name. |
Scout from the right bank. |
| 5 | Eel Creek Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Read and run |
|
| 6 | Otter Slide Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Holes at low water and big waves at high water. |
Scout from the road or the right bank. |
| 7 | Morning Glory Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | River makes a hard left and water is pushy towards the right bank. |
|
| 8 | House Wave - House Rock Rapid | III+ to IV | 500–20,000 | One of the largest holes and waves at high water levels. |
|
| 9 | Bloody Mary Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Run towards river left. |
|
| 10 | Grim Reaper Rapid | III+ to IV+ | 500–20,000 | This rapid is harder at lower levels. |
Scout from the right bank |
| 11 | Cliff Side Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Decent kayak surfing here. Better waves at lower flows. |
|
| 12 | Shoe String Falls | III to IV | 500–20,000 | A big pushy rapid at high water. |
|
| 13 | Jone's Wave Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Another big water rapid. |
Scout from road or right bank |
| 14 | Horsetail Falls | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Technical at low flows and big water, waves and laterals at higher water. |
Scout from right bank if you want |
| 15 | Prelude Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | At high flows this is where the water starts to get turbulent leading into Lochsa Falls. |
Read and run |
| 16 | Lochsa Falls | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Several big drops, waves and holes here. This is the home to the Lochsa River Madness festival every Memorial Day. Line up for good viewing and watch to see who makes it through without flipping. Or better, watch those flips for the best entertainment. |
Scout from the road. |
| 17 | Picking Up The Pieces Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Mainly a series of waves. Many boaters have swam this rapid from mishaps at Lochsa Falls. |
Read and run |
| 18 | Pipeline Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | One of the best surfing waves on the Lochsa. |
Read and run |
| 19 | Old Man Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Read and run |
|
| 20 | Termination Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Rapid ends in waves against a cliff. Move appropriately to avoid it. |
Read and run |
| 21 | Split Creek Rapid | III to IV | 500–20,000 | Run down the center, careful to avoid holes on either side. |
Read and run |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Fish Creek Access | 2,011 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Take-Out | Split Creek Access | 1,736 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | Just below the Split Creek Pack Bridge. |
Camps
No river camps added yet.
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
External Links & Resources
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Community Run Notes
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