Winter Floods Left Mark On Little Spokane River

Winter floods have left a few obstacles for paddlers on the Little Spokane River.

The river access near St. George’s School has been closed for clearing the parking area and reconstructing the trail to the put-in. Riverside State Park officials say the ban is eroding up to 5 feet a year, forcing the reconstruction.

The work could be done by this weekend.

Also, a log has fallen completely across the river just downstream from the Indian Painted Rocks put-in.

So far, high water has allowed canoes to float over the log on the right side of the river as they go downstream. But as the river level drops, the log will become hazardous. Park officials say they plan to try to remove the huge log, but are unsure when that will be possible.

Volunteers are being sought for the annual Little Spokane River cleanup July 13.

Paddlers will meet in the morning at the St. George’s put-in and float to the take-out near the Spokane River collecting garbage as they go. Riverside State Park workers will haul the garbage away. Info: 456-3964.

, DataTimes