Boise River

Geobox | River
name = Boise River
category = River


image_size = 300
image_caption = Tubers floating the Boise River
etymology =
country = United States
country_

state = Idaho
region_type = County
region =
district =
parent =
tributary_left =
tributary_right =
source = Sawtooth Range
source_location =
source_region =
source_state = Idaho
source_elevation_imperial =
source_elevation_note =
source_length_imperial =
source_lat_d = 43
source_lat_m = 42
source_lat_s = 48
source_lat_NS = N
source_long_d = 115
source_long_m = 38
source_long_s = 9
source_long_EW = W
source_coordinates_note = GNIS|378007|Boise River]
mouth = Snake River
mouth_location =
mouth_district =
mouth_region =
mouth_state = Idaho
mouth_country =
mouth_note =
mouth_lat_d = 43
mouth_lat_m = 49
mouth_lat_s = 15
mouth_lat_NS = N
mouth_long_d = 117
mouth_long_m = 1
mouth_long_s = 34
mouth_long_EW = W
mouth_coordinates_note =
mouth_elevation_imperial =
mouth_elevation_note =
length_imperial = 75
length_note =
watershed_imperial = 4100
watershed_note =
discharge_location =
discharge_round =
discharge_imperial =
discharge_note =
discharge_min_imperial =
discharge_max_imperial =
discharge1_location =
discharge1_imperial =
discharge1_note =


map_size =
map_caption =
map1 = Idaho Locator Map.png map1_size = 300
map1_caption = Location of the mouth of the Boise River in Idaho
map1_locator = Idaho
commons = The Boise River is a tributary of the Snake River, approximately convert|75|mi|km long, in southwestern Idaho in the United States. It drains a rugged portion of the Sawtooth Range northeast of Boise, as well as part of the western Snake River Plain. The watershed encompasses approximately convert|4100|sqmi|km2 of highly diverse habitats, including alpine canyons, forest, rangeland, agricultural lands, and urban areas.

Description

The Boise River rises in three separate forks in the Sawtooth Range above an elevation of 10,000 ft (3000 m) and is formed by the confluence of its North and Middle forks. The North Fork, 50 mi (80 km) long, rises in the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, along the Boise-Elmore county line, 60 mi (100 km) northeast of Boise. It flows generally southeast through the remote mountains in the Boise National Forest. The Middle Fork (approximately 70 mi or 110 km long) rises within 20 mi (32 km) of the North Fork in the southern Sawtooth Wilderness Area in northeastern Elmore County. It flows WSW near the town of Atlanta, joining the North Fork to form the Boise approximately 15 mi (25 km) southeast of Idaho City. The main stream flows southwest into Arrow Rock Reservoir joining the South Fork coming from the Anderson Ranch Dam area.

The South Fork (100 mi or 160 km) rises in northern Camas County in the Sawtooth National Forest, 60 mi (100 km) east of Boise. It flows generally southwest, descending through a basalt canyon and passing through the Anderson Ranch Reservoir, then turns northwest in central Elmore County. It joins the main stream from the south as an arm of Arrow Rock Reservoir 20 mi (32 km) east of Boise to form the main stream.

Downstream from its confluence with the South Fork the river flows generally WNW, passing through Lucky Peak Reservoir and emerging from the foothills at Boise. It passes through downtown Boise, lined by an extensive recreational greenbelt, then flows northwest across the western end of the Snake River Plain, becoming a braided stream with a wide floodplain as it approaches the Snake. It enters the Snake from the east on the Idaho-Oregon border 3 mi (5 km) south of Nyssa, Oregon.

History

The river was called "Reed's River" in the early 19th century. It was explored during 1811 Astorian Expedition. The river is used for irrigation on the plain east of Boise. The dams that form the mountain reservoirs were constructed as part of the Boise Project to provide hydroelectricity, drinking water, and flood control to Boise and the surrounding area.

Recreation

The river is a popular destination for floating and whitewater rafting. On the lower (warmwater) course of the river, low summer flows and poorer water quality from agricultural runoff limit fishery production. This section of river supports a fair fishery for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Upstream from Star, the river is a coldwater stream and supports a greater variety of fish. The most prevalent species on this section is mountain whitefish, as well as hatchery-reared rainbow trout, wild rainbow trout, and fingerling brown trout. Upstream from Lucky Peak and Arrowrock reservoirs, the river and its tributaries contain excellent populations of wild rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, and bull trout. This is especially true immediately downstream from the outflow of Anderson Ranch reservoir, where the South Fork takes on the characteristics of a classic "tailwater" for over five miles from the put-in below the dam to Cow Creek Bridge.

Fishing

The Boise river is also used for fishing, mostly for rainbow trout and, in the winter, steelhead. Spinfishermen use roostertail spinners and bait such as worms and powerbait while fly fishermen use a variety of nymphs, streamers, and dry flies.

References

External links

* [http://www.idwr.state.id.us/tvalley/Boise_River.htm State of Idaho: Boise River]
* [http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/geog/fishery/drainage/drain20.htm Idaho State University: Boise River]
* [http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13206000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060 U.S. Geological Survey Stream Gage, Boise River at Glenwood Bridge near Boise]
* [http://id.water.usgs.gov/projects/lwr_boise/ U.S. Geological Survey: Water-Quality and Biological Trends on the Lower Boise River]