Idaho | Southeast Idaho / Oneida Narrows

Bear RiverGrace Powerhouse to ID-36 / Oneida Narrows

A 4.5-mile Class I-II canyon float through Oneida Narrows, with small rapids, public access, and a direct Bear River gauge near the state line.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 4.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 2-4 hours
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Bear River below Alexander Reservoir in Idaho.
River contextBear River below Alexander Reservoir; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Steven J. Gerner / U.S. Geological Survey via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultymoderateDifficulty follows the cited manager guide where stated and otherwise is deliberately conservative. Current flow, debris, diversions, weather, and party skill can materially change the trip.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Caribou-Targhee access rules, Idaho AIS/PFD requirements, reservoir notices, and private-bank restrictions.
CampingOptions nearbyUse designated Oneida-area campgrounds or a nearby basecamp; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.
SeasonMay-SepLate spring through early fall is the normal planning window. Verify snowmelt, releases, fire or fish-protection closures, water temperature, weather, and access status immediately before travel.

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

A 4.5-mile Class I-II canyon float through Oneida Narrows, with small rapids, public access, and a direct Bear River gauge near the state line.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Oneida Powerhouse Public Access

Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.

Finish

Take-out

ID-36 Oneida Narrows Take-Out

Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.

Road shuttle

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
  • Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
  • Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.

Watch for

  • reservoir backwater and wind
  • small rapids and cold water
  • craft-specific take-out choice

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

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Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
Checking live inputs.

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Data reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

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Water levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteBear River at Idaho-Utah State Line
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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Preferred range350 cfs to 3,000 cfs
Low threshold350 cfs
High threshold3,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater published runnable window: 350-3,000 cfs
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What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route corridorGrace Powerhouse to ID-36 / Oneida Narrows; About 4.5 river miles

    Caribou-Targhee public boating access guide identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.

    Source

  • Public access controlOneida Powerhouse Public Access to ID-36 Oneida Narrows Take-Out

    Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 10092700 - Bear River at Idaho-Utah State Line

    Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.

    Source

  • Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring

    The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.

    Source

  • Safety and land managementCurrent manager notices override this record

    Class I-II water with occasional small rapids; wear PFDs and keep a conservative line near canyon walls, strainers, and changing reservoir backwater. Use only the named public access points and confirm the best take-out for your craft; American Whitewater identifies a lower take-out for most boats. The 350-3,000 cfs range is a planning reference from a recognized paddling source, not a guarantee of launch quality or reservoir conditions.

    Source

  • Camping classificationnearby_basecamp

    Use designated Oneida-area campgrounds or a nearby basecamp; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.

    Source

  • Photo contextSoutheast Idaho river context photograph

    The gallery photo is visual context. It may show another part of the same river or watershed and does not show current conditions at every access point.

    Source

  • Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary

    Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.

    Source

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Bear River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Grace Powerhouse to ID-36 / Oneida Narrows route on the Bear River?

Paddle Today watches Bear River at Idaho-Utah State Line and treats 350 cfs to 3,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Grace Powerhouse to ID-36 / Oneida Narrows route on the Bear River start and end?

This route starts at Oneida Powerhouse Public Access and ends at ID-36 Oneida Narrows Take-Out, about 4.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Grace Powerhouse to ID-36 / Oneida Narrows route on the Bear River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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