River runners in Idaho enjoy access to some of the nation's best free-flowing waterways protected by Wild and Scenic Rivers System status.
The 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act designated eight rivers across the nation for immediate protection. Other river segments were later added.
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River was one of the first rivers protected by the act. Segments of the Main Salmon, Selway, Middle Fork of the Clearwater, Snake and Lochsa rivers are included. Specific portions of each river are classified as valuable for their wild, scenic or recreational assets.
A wild designation means the river is roadless and mostly undeveloped. Recreational waterways have roads or railbeds beside them. Each river is managed to preserve its uniqueness and allow for public use.
Idaho rivers include hundreds of miles of protected water. As such, floating a wild river during peak season requires a permit obtained through a lottery system. Once on the river, users must adhere to rules designed to protect the environment.
In mid-July, I joined a group of friends on a trip through the River of No Return Wilderness section of the Main Salmon River. It was designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 1980, the same year Congress established the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The Salmon River is the longest untamed river in the lower 48 states at 406 miles.
Twenty-one boaters, ranging in age from 8 to their early 60s, set off for a six-day voyage. Our adventure took us from the Corn Creek launch in Central Idaho east to Carey Creek outside Riggins. We were among the 7,000 to 10,000 folks every year who float this 80-mile stretch.
Protection of the waterways in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System is a top priority for resource managers and river users. It was evident from the start of the trip that each of us were responsible for maintaining the quality of the beaches and river.
At the put-in, the Salmon-Challis National Forest float-boat checker gathered our group for a pre-trip lecture and a review of the mandatory equipment floaters carry. She described river-use rules for safety and decreased environmental impact.
Key points included the proper handling of waste and other camp activities.
In addition to enjoying the sandy beaches, mountain scenery and big whitewater rapids, we nurtured the river corridor by adhering to Leave No Trace standards for river corridors.
After washing dishes, we used a food particle strainer that we were required to show the float-boat checker before we launched. Dishwater straining involved two people moving buckets above the high-water line to distribute waste water in the weeds and rocks. One person held the strainer and the other person poured the dishwater into the strainer. Food scraps went into our garbage bags.
Each day when we broke camp, the seven kids and an adult completed a micro-trash sweep of the campsite. The patrol searched for trash as small as a thumbnail. A garlic clove, candy wrapper or potato chip were worthy of removal.
Going to the bathroom required vigilance. We were told to urinate in the river, not in the sand or camp area. The lack of rain during the summer contributes to stinky beaches and camping sites if people urinate on the land. The river water dilutes urine and the beaches remain odor free. Every group on the river also carries some form of a portable toilet. After the trip, waste was disposed of at afacility in Riggins.
Increasingly, children and dogs are accompanying their families on river trips. There are guidelines for the unique considerations these travelers bring to the wilderness. Dog owners pack out the dogs' solid waste and refill any holes their pets dig.
Children enjoy creating sand castles in the soft, white beaches, so any holes are filled to decrease the visual impact for the next group and remove a potential ankle injury hazard. In our case, jet boat waves wiped out sand projects at the water's edge.
Along with the joy of a multiday river trip comes the responsibility to the environment. Be sure to do your share on your next trip. Come prepared with the recommended supplies and honor our national treasures with Leave No Trace techniques.
Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoors writer. Her column runs Thursdays in the Idaho Outdoors. Natalie can be contacted by e-mail: natbartley@earthlink.net
