See all 2 routes on Bear River
Idaho | Southeast Idaho / Oneida Narrows
Bear River
Grace Powerhouse to ID-36 / Oneida Narrows
Check current paddling conditions for this Bear River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
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.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Oneida Powerhouse Public AccessUse only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
Take-out
ID-36 Oneida Narrows Take-OutConfirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
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
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Bear River at Idaho-Utah State Line |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 350 cfs to 3,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 350 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater published runnable window: 350-3,000 cfs |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat 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.
- 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.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 10092700 - Bear River at Idaho-Utah State Line
Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.
- 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.
- 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.
- Camping classificationnearby_basecamp
Use designated Oneida-area campgrounds or a nearby basecamp; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.
- Image decisionSoutheast Idaho river context photograph
Approved route-area or same-river context; it does not depict every endpoint or current conditions.
- 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.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Caribou-Targhee public boating access guide
- Official access/map control
- USGS 10092700 monitoring location
- USGS 10092700 current conditions
- American Whitewater published runnable window: 350-3,000 cfs
- Additional threshold support
- Southeast Idaho river context photograph
- Idaho boating and invasive-species requirements
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Bear River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling 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 this Bear River route start and end?
This route starts at Oneida Powerhouse Public Access and ends at ID-36 Oneida Narrows Take-Out, about About 4.5 river miles on the water.
Is this Bear River route good 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.