With temperatures headed toward the triple digits this week, Boise’s favorite way to cool off – floating the Boise River – has been off limits thus far due to high water and dangerous conditions, but Ada County has announced that the river will open for floating on Wednesday at noon.  River flows that had been as high as 6,420 cfs this spring dropped to 1,420 cfs this week, allowing the Boise Fire Department to clear hazardous debris and obstructions from the river.

If this seems a bit late for the annual opening of the river, it is, but not by a lot. The average opening is June 22, around the first day of summer; this year’s is a week later than that. Last year, the river opened for floating on June 12. But four times over the past 15 years, the opening has been delayed until July 1 or later: 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2006. In the past 10 years, the latest opening for the river was July 15 in 2007; the earliest was June 11 in 2008. 

According to the USGS, the Boise River at Glenwood Bridge, which is well below the floating area, is running at 1,450 cfs today, having dropped sharply from 2,200 cfs a week ago.

County officials warn that the water remains cold and fast, and the river is never free of all hazards. The launching area at Barber Park will open at noon Wednesday with all services, including raft and tube rentals, air hoses, and shuttle service back from the takeout at Ann Morrison Park. There’s more info online here.