Recreational releases were cancelled on many rivers this spring due to Covid-related travel restrictions and concerns, including several releases on the Black Canyon of the Bear River in Idaho. American Whitewater has worked with the dam owner to reschedule the Black Canyon releases for late summer, specifically August 29 & 30, and September 12 & 13. These releases offer paddlers a rare opportunity to enjoy the Bear River late in the recreation season.

In addition, irrigation flows of 200-500 cfs are being delivered through the Black Canyon all summer, creating additional and rare lower-water paddling opportunities 24-hours a day for the rest of the summer through the second week of September. You can check realtime and predicted flows in the Black Canyon here.

American Whitewater has spent roughly two decades negotiating releases on the Black Canyon and partnering on their implementation, and we hope paddlers get out and enjoy the Black Canyon! We'd love some more photos of the run added to the AW page, including at lower flows.