Whitewater fans expect banner year

Idaho’s Outfitters and Guides Association is expecting a big whitewater season this summer.

Snowpack ranging from 105 percent of normal in the Salmon River and Middle Fork basins to 120-145 percent of normal in the Clearwater and Panhandle basins foretells season-long flows, according to outfitters.

“Some areas in the Upper Snake River are still accumulating snow, so that will make for good flows later in the floating season,” said Ron Abramovich, water supply specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Snow Survey office in Boise. “Overall, things look really good.”

Many of the state’s wilderness river outfitters are near or fully booked for the season.

“Things are looking perfect for a great season on the Middle Fork,” said Zach Collier, owner of Northwest Rafting Company. “One-hundred percent of average is perfect for a sweet runoff season. We should have good water through July and August.”

Idaho is widely known as the “whitewater state” with more than 3,000 miles of navigable rivers.