Running the river

The high-price of gas is no deterrent to rowers and paddlers who live near the Spokane River. Everything from placid flatwater to Class 4 rapids are minutes from downtown Spokane or Coeur d’Alene.

This is a remarkably underappreciated perk of living in River City.

The ultimate Spokane River experience would be traveling the entire length, nearly 112 miles, including portages around six dam projects and the thundering Spokane Falls in downtown.

Sit-on-top touring kayaks are the perfect vessels for the trip, because they are maneuverable enough for most of the whitewater, seaworthy for the reservoirs behind the river’s dams, and light enough to portage around several serious rapids. Wheels or shuttle vehicles would come in handy around the dams and other obstacles.

July and late September are good periods for optimum water flows throughout the river. Flows can be too high in spring. After dropping too low in August, the flows pick up again in fall.

Most paddlers, of course, will look for various river sections that fit their style and skills for day trips. The 16 miles downstream from Post Falls Dam is the longest free-flowing stretch. The river ranges from highly developed to surprisingly wild, from the buzz of Interstate 90 to isolated wildlife sanctuaries.

In and near Spokane, the shores contrast from river frontage lined with some of the region’s most expensive homes to stretches settled by hobo camps.

Following, from beginning to end, is a breakdown of entire Spokane River in segments from a paddler’s point of view (mileages rounded):

1. Coeur d’Alene to Post Falls Dam (10 miles) — From North Idaho College area, the original start of the Spokane River, the river is part of Lake Coeur d’Alene and has little current in water backed up behind Post Falls Dam. Homes, docks, powerboats, and jet skis are common. Put-in near Cedars Restaurant; take-out at Post Falls City Park.

2. Post Falls Dam to Corbin Park (3 miles) – A pretty stretch of river, but put-in access is difficult. The channels just downstream from Post Falls Dam are dangerous because of unpredictable surges from the dam.

3. Corbin Park to Harvard Road (7 miles) — Splashy Class 1 rapids, strong eddies; a popular stretch suitable to most paddling abilities. The first half of the annual Spokane River Canoe Classic.

4. Harvard Road to Plantes Ferry Park (8 miles) — Rapids up to Class 2-plus with play holes; the most popular stretch for canoeists and kayakers; the second half of the Spokane River Canoe Classic for the marathon division paddlers.

5. Plantes Ferry Park to Upriver Dam (5 miles) — Starts with riffles through boulders, then enters slack water behind Upriver Dam near Donkey Island. Flatwater continues past shoreline homes, under Argonne Street Bridge (possible access) and Boulder Beach (better public access). Crew teams row here, but powerboats are common in the last 2 miles before the dam (no developed access).

6. Upriver Dam to Division Street (5 miles) – From a boat launch below the dam, paddlers find interesting Class 1 paddling with huge willows and the Spokane Community College and Gonzaga University campuses adding a bucolic feel to an area that’s largely industrial. The trip is possible with scouting, but no formal take-out is available.

7. Division Street to Maple Street (1.5 miles) – Off limits to boating. Section includes Riverfront Park, two hydropower dams and the Spokane Falls.

8. Maple Street to Meenach Bridge (4 miles) — Class 1-plus water with dangerous bridge abutments in faster water and rock-gardens in low water. A whitewater park is proposed for this stretch.

9. Meenach Bridge to Plese Flats (7 miles) — Includes difficult rapids that range from Class 3 to Class 4 in some flow conditions. Recommended only for expert rafters and kayakers. Floaters pass sewage treatment plant and rifle club shooting range. Semi-developed access just downstream from Meenach Bridge, river right. Undeveloped access just downstream from sewage treatment plant. Developed access at Plese Flats on river-right downstream from Devil’s Toenail Rapid (upstream from Seven Mile Bridge).

10. Plese Flats to Nine Mile Dam (5 miles) – Excellent flatwater paddling stretch on Nine Mile Reservoir with forested shoreline and basalt cliffs in Riverside State Park. Has current in high flows. The take-out is river left before dam.

11. Nine Mile Dam to Nine Mile Resort (3 miles) – Good access with little development in this stretch largely through Riverside State Park, but not necessarily a favorite of paddlers. From Spokane House area picnic site put-in on river right just downstream from Charles Road Bridge at Nine Mile Dam, it’s a short float to the developed boat launch near mouth of Little Spokane River.

Form the launch , summer low water and weeds force paddlers into middle of river (Lake Spokane backed up behind Long Lake Dam) to contend with powerboat traffic. Nice facilities at resort, managed by Riverside State Park.

12. Nine Mile Resort to Long Lake Dam (22 miles) – Dominated by powerboaters from late May in September, this flatwater stretch on Lake Spokane (a.k.a. Long Lake) isn’t popular for paddling. One nifty spot worth exploring (late September is choice) is the granite coves along a piece of Riverside State Park property on the south shore.

State-managed Long Lake Campground and boat launch, 5 miles upstream from Long Lake Dam, is closest access (paddle across the reservoir and a ways upstream). Longer paddle downstream but year-round access from undeveloped access just west of Tumtum off Highway 291. This route also requires paddling across the reservoir. Beware of wind.

13. Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam (4 miles) – Perhaps the river’s best flatwater section for getting away from it all. Wildlife-rich and virtually undeveloped (so far), with Spokane Indian Reservation on north shore and forest-ranch land on south shore. Rock cliffs and placid bays with lily pads and a few small, sandy beaches for swimming.

A sweet full-moon paddle trip with no interference from lights. Put in at Avista picnic area on south shore between S.R. 231 (north of Reardan) and Long Lake Dam. Best to paddle down river from here and back. Room for only one vehicle at rough take-out site near Little Falls Dam.

14. Little Falls Dam to Columbia River (29 miles) – No provisions were made to launch a kayak below Little Falls Dam. However, a rough carry down to water below the dam leads to several miles of nice paddling into the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt with cozy beaches.

The first good public access point is Porcupine Bay launch and campground, 18 miles downstream. By that time, the river is wide and busy with boats coming up downstream sites in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Paddlers could continue to Fort Spokane historic site, launch and campground just before reaching the Columbia.