Since seventh grade physical science class, the movement of water through the earth's atmosphere has been obvious and easily understood. The sun warms water particles, transforming them into gas, or clouds, which later pour back down upon the earth as precipitation.

Despite these trusted facts, water in and around the White Salmon River continues to mystify whitewater enthusiasts. When other rivers have long turned to a mere trickle, the White Salmon continues to flow strong. And when snowpack is low, whitewater rafting on the White Salmon River delivers more thrills and excitement than any other Oregon and Washington rafting trip.

But, how can less snow equal more whitewater?

Unfortunately, that's not a simple answer.

Typically, massive amounts of snow make river runners giddy with anticipation. Even if not riding powder through the winter, a whitewater kayaker or rafter delights in reports of snow accumulation. As winter turns to spring, the sun warms those jam-packed snowflakes, gifting them the ability to flow. Gravity takes over and the snow, now reduced to its liquid form, travels the path of least resistance. Every slope feeds a valley, where each droplet unites with others to form streams, creeks and rivers.

More snowpack, therefore, means more water in the rivers: True. Less snowpack means less water in the rivers and less adventure: False.

The White Salmon River is an anomaly. Rivers throughout the Columbia River Gorge primarily flow from the melting of the region's epic volcanoes: Mt Adams, Mt Hood and Mt St. Helens. By July or August, the river levels drop low enough that rafts and kayaks would no longer float.

Yet, the White Salmon River just keeps on flowing.

Even other rivers draining from Mt Adams, the volcanic peak that feeds the White Salmon River, lose their class III, IV and V sections of whitewater as the snow disappears mid-summer. Continuous wave trains of the upper Klickitat disappear and the world-renowned rapids and waterfalls of the Little White Salmon all but dry up.

Yet, the White Salmon River just keeps on flowing.

The Hood River transforms from a fun section of boulder gardens, boofs and waves to a low-water fishing paradise. Locals to Hood River, Oregon who normally call themselves whitewater enthusiasts often opt for an afternoon of stand-up paddle boarding or kite surfing due to lack of flow in the rivers.

Yet, the White Salmon River just keeps on flowing.

The secret to the White Salmon's prolific hydrology seems to be the existence of massive underground aquifers, or sub-surface lakes. These aquifers are like your time-release medication, providing water throughout the dry summer months in smaller increments.  Snowmelt, on the other hand, typically comes in quick floods causing river levels to quickly peak and drop.  

During low snowpack years, the river begins to flow from the aquifers earlier and the river level does begin to drop sooner. However, lower river levels on this river open doors to steeper, more exciting whitewater than at higher levels.

For instance, when snowpack is low, we begin to run the infamous Husum Falls earlier in the season. Additionally, we start our rafting trips two miles upstream from the public access point, adding in a narrow and spectacular section of canyon and some of the best whitewater on the whole trip.

In fact, we can ONLY run this class IV whitewater on the upper stretch of the White Salmon River when water is low.  

While we love riding big, fast waves during higher river flows, a low-water year or a poor ski season does not dampen the spirits of the local Oregon and Washington river runners and whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The White Salmon River always has some whitewater adventure up her sleeve.

Author Susan Hollingsworth writes for Wet Planet Whitewater, Canoe & Kayak Magazine, American Whitewater, and any other river-related publication she can find.

Tweet