Tips for New River Users

 Floatboats have the right of way, but powerboats require a deeper channel to navigate safely. Whenever 

possible, floatboats should move to the side and yield the deeper channel to powerboats.

 Powerboats going upriver must yield the right of way to any boat coming downstream unless the boat 

encountered is already in a rapids.

 Floatboats should maintain tight groups to avoid creating an obstacle course for powerboats especially 

when other boats are present.

 Retrieval of overturned or wrecked boats and gear is your responsibility. Check with the local 

administrative agency for missing items.

 Never dispose of garbage in toilets. Dumping of garbage or household trash is not allowed on public 

lands.

	Pack it in, pack it out.

Invasive Species

Zebra and quagga mussels are invasive species that enter the water by attaching to boats, trailers, and 

vehicles. They get into bait buckets, waders and other gear, then spread into waters where they can destroy 

fish habitat and clog water and boat systems. Help stop the spread of invasive aquatic species by following 

these steps:

 Purchase an Idaho Invasive Species Fund (IISF) sticker before launching any watercraft.

	Drain the boat's ballast tanks, bilge, livewells and motor before entering new waters.

	To kill mussel spores, allow all parts of a watercraft to dry (7 days summer; 18 days spring/fall; and 30 

days winter) or freeze (3 days).

	Take time to thoroughly check your boat, watercraft, trailer and vehicle prior to entering any Idaho waters.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds can rapidly displace native plant species that provide food for wildlife and livestock. 

Here’s how you can prevent the spread of noxious weeds:

	Wash your vehicle, including the undercarriage to remove any weed seeds before driving onto public 

lands and after leaving known noxious weed infested areas.

	Do not dump bilge, aquarium, or bucket water from other sources into local waters.

Camping

	Camping on public lands is prohibited within 100 yards of public boat ramps, parking areas and public docks.

	Camping on public lands is not allowed for more than 14 days in a 30-day period or on state lands for more 

than 10 days in a 30-day period.

Campfires

	Campfires within 100 yards of public waters must be in firepans, barbecue grills, or established concrete 

or metal fire pits.

	Disposal of fire residue or refuse in public waters is prohibited.

Mandatory Safety Rules

All vessels must have Coast Guard approved:

 One wearable life jacket, Type I, II or III in good condition and readily accessible for all persons aboard.

 Children 14 years of age and younger, on board vessels 19 feet or less, must wear a properly fitted life 

jacket when the vessel is under way (not tied up or aground). All boats 16 feet in length and longer 

must have a Type IV throwable on board.

	A whistle or horn audible for at least one-half nautical mile.

	An all-round white light on all non-motorized vessels between sunset and sunrise and other times of 

low visibility.

Powerboats must have:

	Proper navigation lights on between sunset and sunrise and other times of low visibility.

	Properly sized fire extinguishers on vessels with an enclosed motor compartment or fuel system.

	A backfire flame control device for all powerboats (except outboards) in proper working order.

	An effective and permanent muffler on all vessel engines.

Important Contacts

	Clearwater Management Council

BLM Cottonwood Field Office

	 1 Butte Drive • Cottonwood, ID 83522

	 208-962-3245

Search: clearwater+management+idaho+blm

	Dworshak Reservoir

	 PO Box 48 • Ahsahka, ID 83520

1842 Viewpoint Rd • Orofino, ID 83544

	 208-476-1255

https://www.facebook.com/dworshakdam

	Fire and Police Emergencies

Dial 911 

	Idaho Department of Transportation

	 Dial 511

http://hb.511.idaho.gov

Reminders for Old Hands

Watercraft Operators:

	You are responsible for the boat, all persons 

on board, and those being pulled behind 

the boat.

	Know the handling characteristics of the 

boat you are using.

	Keep your boat clutter-free and perform 

regular safety checks and maintenance.

	Avoid operating on the water after sundown.

	Avoid overloading or exceeding the 

capacity of your vessel.

	Keep in mind that river levels rise and fall 

regularly. 

	Tie your boat securely to shore.

Powerboat Operators:

	Do not operate powerboats at excessive 

speeds in the vicinity of other boats or in 

dangerous waters.

	Powerboats with inboard motors should 

turn on the mechanical blower for at least 

4 minutes prior to starting the engine 

to vent dangerous gas vapors that have 

accumulated in the bilge.

	Start the motor before untying the boat. 

Turn off the motor after the boat is 

securely tied up.

River Common Sense

	Stop and scout questionable rapids or shallows. 

A safe route today may not be safe tomorrow.

	Carry a first-aid kit and current first-aid manual.

	Bring tools and spare parts. Be prepared to make 

minor repairs.

	Know your personal limitations when exposed to 

sun, wind, and cold water.

	Sun, wind and fatigue increase the debilitating 

effects of alcohol and drugs. Mixing alcohol and 

drugs with boating can be fatal.

Many people using various modes of transportation use the river 

corridor, both afloat and on foot. If everyone’s rights are respected, 

a wonderful experience will be enjoyed by all users.

For More Information

	 River Flows and Reservoir Levels

Clearwater River Basin http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/rt

Walla Walla District (USACE) http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nww

	 Useful Websites

Dworshak Reservoir (USACE) https://www.facebook.com/dworshakdam

Granite Lake and Dam (USACE) https://www.facebook.com/LowerGraniteDam

	 Idaho Department of Fish & Game (Region 2)	 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

Idaho Outfitters & Guides Licensing Board http://oglb.idaho.gov

Local Weather http://www.weather.gov

	 Community Information

Kamiah Chamber of Commerce http://www.kamiahchamber.com

Kooskia Chamber of Commerce http://kooskia.com

Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce http://www.lcvalleychamber.org

Orofino Chamber of Commerce http://www.orofino.com

Clearwater River

Cities • Sites • Services 

Cities of Lewiston-Clarkston All H All

1 Confluence, Tseminicum

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center 0     T,W  H All

2 Confluence Island (ID-WA Boundary)  H All

3 Confluence at Railroad   H All

4 Clearwater Landing 0.5     T,W  H All

5 Steelhead Park 311.5     P 

6 Mill Hole 310.5  

7 Lower Goose Pasture 309 

8 Upper Goose Pasture 307.5   N

9 Lower Hog Island 306.5  

10 Upper Hog Island* 305  P C 

11 Beardy Gulch* 305   C

12 Ant and Yellow Jacket 11 

13 Pulloff-Spalding 14 

14 Railroad Bridge (old highway) 14.5 

15 Arrow Bridge 15 

16 Gibbs Eddy 16  P 

17 Pullout 

18-19 McKays Bend and Myrtle Beach 18.5    N CG,T,W,S  RV

20 Upper Myrtle Beach 18.7   N

21 Cherry Lane Access Site 21.1 P 

22 Pullout 23.5 

23 Ankney Beach 24  N

24 Big Eddy 27.5   N

25 Lenore Rest Area 27.8     P W,S,T 

26 Lenore Access Site 28.5     P C 

27-28 Tree Farm Pullouts 30-30.8 

29 Clearwater View Pullout 31.5 

30 Harpers Bend 34    P T 

31 Peck Sports Access 35  F,RV

32 McGill Hole 38.5 

33 Pink House Recreation Area 39.6    P CG,T,W,S  RV

34 Canoe Camp 40   T,W,S 

35 Grand Pullout 

City of Orofino  All H All

36 Orofino City Park 44.7    T,W,S  H All

37-38 Ahsahka East & West Ramps   P C 

39 Ahsahka Bridge  

40 Ahsahka Fishing Pier    N 

41 North Fork Ramp 0.07  P 

42 Pullout  

43 Fishing Wall 1.56   

44 Clearwater Fish Hatchery  

Dworshak Visitor Center Inset Map   All  RV,V

45 Lewis Clark Historical Highway 48.25  

46 Pine Tree 49  

47 Zan’s (2) 49.5   P 

48 Greer City Park 51.5 

49 Greer Sportsman Access 0.3 

50 Van Allen/Gold Beach 52.3  T 

51-52 Gold Rush Ferry/Gold Rush Beach 52.4/53 

53 Milepost 54 54  

54 Mossy Rock Beach 

55 Five Mile Creek 54.3   P 

56 Tunnel Hole 55.7 

57 Milepost 56 56 

58 Six Mile Creek 58.7 

59 Tramway Beach 60 

60 Long Camp 61  P 

61 Channel Pullout 

62 Breaktime 62 

City of Kamiah All C All

63 Kamiah Ramp & Riverfront Park 67    P All  C All

64-66 Kamiah Pullouts 

67 Heart of the Monster (3) 68.4 

68 The Rock 69.1   N

69 Dales Pullouts (2) 70.9 

70 Button Beach 71.8   P 

71 Miller Hole 73.5  

72 Kooskia Bridge 74   P 

City of Kooskia C G, GR, 

L, F, V

*No camping July 1-August 28.

River Etiquette 

	Respect the rights of all ramp users.

	Avoid interfering with boats approaching or 

departing the dock.

	Keep ramps clear. Use only one-half of a double 

ramp. Do not set-up, load, take down or unload 

equipment on the ramp.

	Do not tie off your boat to the dock in the ramp 

area while you park or retrieve your vehicle.

	Practice backing your trailer before getting to the 

boat ramp.

	Pull into the parking area to prepare your boat 

before getting in the boat ramp line.

General River Guidelines

	Floatboats and people “body floating” 

are easily hidden on the river. Use 

flagging to increase visibility.

	Be aware that noise disturbs the natural 

atmosphere of the river. Use headsets 

with radios and sound equipment.

	Powerboaters: Pass moored boats 

and fishermen with as little wake as 

possible.

	River Users: Be aware that large 

powerboats throw sizable wakes and 

often use their engines to hold the 

boat and avoid being crushed against 

the rocks.

	All Boaters: Remember, whether 

floating or under power, the river is 

powerful. Fluctuating water levels 

cause frequent changes. Keep alert!

The Clearwater

Management Council

invites you to enjoy the many activities 

and outdoor experiences along 

the Clearwater River and its tributaries.

CMC's Litter Patrol brings volunteers and staff together to 

clean up and restore Clearwater River beaches and boat ramps.

Milepost NumberAccessibleDay UseFoot AccessCanoes (Car Top)P=Paved RampN=Natural RampDock (No Ramp)C=Camping, CG=Campground, T=Trash, 

W=Water, 

S=Picnic Shelters, D=RV DumpToiletsEmergency Services: H=Hospital, 

C=Clinic

G=Gasoline, GR=Grocery, L=Lodging, RV=RV Park, F=Food, 

V=Visitor Services

Transom Well Live Well

Anchor 

Rollers

Axle and Wheels

Lower Unit Propeller

Photo Joseph ZahnlePhoto Mary Lorish Jahn

Photo Joseph Zahnle

Photo Joseph Zahnle

Photo Judy Culver

Photo Le Ann Wilson

Photo Will Burks

Photo Steve Stajkowski

Photo Steve Stajkowski

Photo Steve Stajkowski

Photo Steve Stajkowski

THINGS YOU SHOULD 

KNOW

seasonal

ClearwaterGuide_FINAL2015.indd 2 4/14/2015 9:22:59 AM