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Idaho | Southern Idaho / Magic Valley

Snake RiverMilner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile)

A 1.6-mile Class V Snake River gorge run below Milner Dam, available only during Idaho Power recreational releases and requiring expert-level big-water skills.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 1.6 river miles
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 1-2 hours on release day
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Snake River runs through a steep Idaho canyon corridor.
River contextSnake River in southern Idaho; same-river context, not the Milner Mile reach or current release conditions river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 1.6 river milesMilner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile)
DifficultyhardDifficulty 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.
ShuttleCar shuttleNo conventional shuttle is needed for the 1.6-mile reach, but stage vehicles at the Idaho Power take-out and walk the south-side trail for scouting and emergency planning.
PermitsCheck posted rulesSubmit the Idaho Power whitewater release request by the published deadline, confirm the release by Friday, check in with at least two boaters, and follow Idaho Power, USGS, BLM, Idaho AIS/PFD, and dam-safety rules.
CampingDay tripNo camping at the day-use Milner whitewater access. Use a lawful Magic Valley campground or lodging and arrive with the release-day plan already staged.
SeasonApr-JunLate 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.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 1.6-mile Class V Snake River gorge run below Milner Dam, available only during Idaho Power recreational releases and requiring expert-level big-water skills.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Milner Dam Whitewater Put-In
Open mapDirections to put-in

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

Milner Power Plant Whitewater Take-Out
Open mapDirections to take-out

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

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
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

  • Class V continuous rapids
  • river-wide keeper hole near lower flow
  • dam/powerhouse exclusion zones
  • release timing and rapidly changing water

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Snake River runs through a steep Idaho canyon corridor.
Snake River in southern Idaho; same-river context, not the Milner Mile reach or current release conditions river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

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 corridorMilner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile); About 1.6 river miles

    Idaho Power Milner Whitewater Information identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.

    Source

  • Public access controlMilner Dam Whitewater Put-In to Milner Power Plant Whitewater Take-Out

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

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 13087995 - Snake River Gaging Station at Milner, ID

    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

    Idaho Power rates the 1.6-mile dam-to-powerhouse reach Class V and recommends experts only. Scout from the south-side trail, wear a properly fitted PFD and helmet, and carry rescue/repair gear appropriate for high-volume canyon water. The reach is normally dry or very low. Launch only after Idaho Power confirms a recreational release, check in as required, and never enter the dam or powerhouse exclusion areas. American Whitewater describes a lower-flow option around 8,000 cfs with a river-wide keeper hole and a full runnable range around 11,000-15,000 cfs. The USGS Milner station is direct context, but release confirmation and on-site scouting override the score.

    Source

  • Camping classificationnone

    No camping at the day-use Milner whitewater access. Use a lawful Magic Valley campground or lodging and arrive with the release-day plan already staged.

    Source

  • Photo contextSnake River same-watershed 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

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Idaho

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Quick answers

Snake River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Milner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile) route on the Snake River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Milner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile) route on the Snake River start and end?

This route starts at Milner Dam Whitewater Put-In and ends at Milner Power Plant Whitewater Take-Out, about 1.6 river miles on the water.

Is the Milner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile) route on the Snake River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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