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Boise River
Tubers Float the Boise River.JPG
Floating on the river through Boise in 2004
Boise river basin map.png
The Boise River watershed
Country United States
State Idaho
Physical characteristics
Main source Sawtooth Range
Idaho
3,497 ft (1,066 m)
43°42′48″N 115°38′9″W / 43.71333°N 115.63583°W / 43.71333; -115.63583
River mouth Snake River
Idaho
2,100 ft (640 m)
43°49′15″N 117°1′34″W / 43.82083°N 117.02611°W / 43.82083; -117.02611
Length 102 mi (164 km)
Basin features
Basin size 4,100 sq mi (11,000 km2)

The Boise River is a river about 102 miles (164 km) long in the Northwestern United States. It flows into the Snake River. The river starts in the rugged Sawtooth Mountains in southwestern Idaho, northeast of the city of Boise. It also drains part of the western Snake River Plain.

The area the river drains, called its watershed, is about 4,100 square miles (10,600 km²). This area has many different kinds of places, like high mountain canyons, forests, grasslands, farms, and cities.

Where Does the Boise River Start?

The Boise River begins with three separate parts, called forks, high up in the Sawtooth Mountains. These forks are the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork.

The North and Middle Forks

The North Fork is about 50 miles (80 km) long. It starts in the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, about 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Boise. It flows southwest through the Boise National Forest.

The Middle Fork is about 52 miles (84 km) long. It starts close to the North Fork in the southern Sawtooth Wilderness Area. It flows west-southwest near the town of Atlanta. The North Fork and Middle Fork then join together to form the main Boise River. This meeting point is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Idaho City.

The main river then flows southwest into the Arrowrock Reservoir. Here, it is joined by the South Fork.

The South Fork

The South Fork is about 101 miles (163 km) long. It starts in northern Camas County in the Smoky Mountains and Soldier Mountains. These mountains are part of the Sawtooth National Forest, north of Fairfield. This is about 65 miles (105 km) east of Boise.

The South Fork flows southwest through a rocky canyon. It then fills the Anderson Ranch Reservoir. After that, it turns northwest and joins the main river as part of the Arrowrock Reservoir. This is about 20 miles (32 km) east of Boise.

USACE Lucky Peak Dam Idaho
Lucky Peak Dam, northeast of Boise

How the River Flows Through Boise

After the South Fork joins the main river, the Boise River flows west. It picks up another important stream called Mores Creek. The river then passes through Lucky Peak Dam and comes out of the hills southeast of Boise.

Before it reaches the city, the river flows over several dams that help divert water for irrigation. The first and largest of these is the Boise River Diversion Dam. This dam helps send water into the New York Canal, which goes to Lake Lowell. Another dam, the Eckert Diversion Dam, sends water into the Ridenbaugh Canal.

Boise River
Boise River

As the river flows through Boise, it is surrounded by a beautiful, wooded area called the Boise greenbelt. This is a popular place for walking and biking. The river then flows west across the flat land of the Treasure Valley. It becomes a braided stream, meaning it splits into many smaller channels, as it crosses northern Canyon County.

Finally, the Boise River flows into the Snake River. This happens west of Parma, near the border between Idaho and Oregon. The river's elevation here is about 2,100 feet (640 meters) above sea level.

History of the Boise River

In the early 1800s, the river was sometimes called "Reed's River." It was named after John Reed, who explored parts of the river in 1813 and 1814.

The river's water is used to irrigate (water) farms on the flat land west of Boise. Large dams were built on the river to create reservoirs (big lakes). These dams were part of the "Boise Project" by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. They were built to provide:

  • Water for farming
  • Electricity (hydroelectricity)
  • Drinking water for people
  • Control floods
Boise irrigation project
Boise Irrigation Project, 1910
Photo by Walter Lubken.

Major Dam Projects and Dates

Here are the years when the main parts of the Boise Project were finished:

Fun Activities on the Boise River

The Boise River is a very popular place for recreation, especially for floating. Many people enjoy floating or tubing down the river. They usually start at Barber Park and finish at Ann Morrison Park. This trip is about 6 miles (10 km) long and passes several small dams and bridges.

Above the Lucky Peak Dam at the Lucky Peak Reservoir, Water skiing is a popular sport.

Fishing on the Boise River

The river is also a great spot for fishing.

Fish in the Lower River

In the lower parts of the river, where the water is warmer, there isn't as much fish. This is because the water flows slowly in summer and can have runoff from farms. Here, you might catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish.

Fish in the Upper River

Upstream from Star, the river is colder and has more types of fish. The most common fish here is the mountain whitefish. You can also find rainbow trout (some raised in hatcheries and some wild) and young brown trout.

Even further upstream, above Lucky Peak and Arrowrock reservoirs, the river and its smaller streams have excellent numbers of wild rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, and bull trout. This is especially true just below the Anderson Ranch Reservoir, where the South Fork becomes a great fishing spot for about 5 miles (8 km).

Fishing Methods

Fishermen often use different methods to catch fish.

  • Spin-fishermen use lures like roostertail spinners and bait such as worms and Powerbait.
  • Fly fishermen use various flies that look like the insects found in the river area, as well as streamers.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Río Boise para niños

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