Jarbidge River

Jarbidge River
View down the Jarbidge River near its confluence with the East Fork Jarbidge River
Location of the mouth of the Jarbidge River in Idaho Show map of Idaho Jarbidge River (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location
Country	United States
State	Idaho, Nevada
Counties	Owyhee County, Idaho, Elko County, Nevada
Physical characteristics

Source	Jarbidge Lake
• location	Jarbidge Mountains, Elko County, Nevada
• coordinates	41°46′27″N 115°22′21″W / 41.77417°N 115.37250°W / 41.77417; -115.37250^[2]
• elevation	9,357 ft (2,852 m)^[2]

Mouth	Bruneau River
• location	Bruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness, Owyhee County, Idaho
• coordinates	42°19′45″N 115°39′09″W / 42.32917°N 115.65250°W / 42.32917; -115.65250^[1]
• elevation	3,707 ft (1,130 m)^[1]
Length	52 mi (84 km)^[3]
Basin size	660 sq mi (1,700 km²)^[4]

National Wild and Scenic River
Type	Wild
Designated	March 30, 2009

The Jarbidge River is a 51.8-mile-long (83.4 km),^[3] high elevation river in Elko County, Nevada and Owyhee County, Idaho in the United States. The Jarbidge originates as two main forks in the Jarbidge Mountains of northeastern Nevada and then flows through basalt and rhyolite canyons on the high plateau of the Owyhee Desert before joining the Bruneau River.

"Jarbidge" is a name derived from the Shoshone language meaning "devil".^[5] Indians believed the nearby hills were haunted.^[6]

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Transcription

NARRATOR-1: Everyone launching on the Owyhee-Bruneau-Jarbidge river systems must fill out a registration form at the launch site. The top copy goes in the registration box. The bottom copy is carried by the trip leader on the river. Make sure you fill out the entire permit and that you have the correct date, trip leader signature, and your ZIP code. Make sure your boat and equipment are in good condition. Carry proper safety equipment, such as a first aid kit, throw rope and boat repair kit. The rivers are remote. Be prepared to handle all problems and emergencies on your own; once you enter these canyons, you will be a long way from help. So, be prepared for the unexpected. NARRATOR-2: You can minimize the impacts and preserve the wild nature of the rivers by using established campsites. Take the time to secure the boat and loose gear before setting up camp. If possible, camp on gravel or sand bars to avoid trampling vegetation. BLM river rangers patrol all sections of the Owyhee, Jarbidge and Bruneau river systems. River rangers commonly make campsite visits; you will need to show them a copy of your river permit. They will also request to see your required portable toilet and fire pan. All campfires must be contained in a metal fire pan. Proper use of a fire pan includes keeping the pan off the ground. This can be as simple as placing three rocks underneath your fire pan. Improper use of a fire pan can leave an unsightly scar. Failure to use a fire pan can leave an even more unsightly scar and can potentially cause a wildfire. An adequately sized, approved portable toilet system must be used on all float trips. They must be designed to hold human waste without leaking. During your visit with the ranger, take the opportunity to ask questions about upcoming rapids, potential campsites and weather conditions. River rangers are a great resource and are there to ensure the quality of your river floating experience is uninhibited by the actions of others. NARRATOR-1: When collecting firewood, do not cut or destroy standing live or dead vegetation. You're required to carry your own firewood when floating downstream of the Rome launch site on the Owyhee river. Use dead and down wood only; cutting firewood can destroy wildlife habitat and leave unsightly scars for the next camper. In and around the kitchen camp, avoid dropping or spilling any food, waste, or products. This will draw unwanted insects and wildlife into your camp. Consider putting a kitchen tarp down to collect food and other bits that may fall while cooking and eating. Urine deposited on land especially around well-used campsites, can create unpleasant odors and attract insects. Urinate directly into the river. Use a biodegradable soap for washing dishes. Strain all dish and rinse water before scattering it broadly 200 feet away from the river and camp. When packing up, make sure to swamp and stir your ashes. Pack them out with you. Scatter rocks and unused firewood before leaving camp. Thank you for using Leave No Tract ethics in camp. Have a great trip and we'll see you downstream.

Geography

The small town of Jarbidge, Nevada is located on the main stream, the source of which is Jarbidge Lake (41°46′27″N 115°22′21″W / 41.7742°N 115.3724°W / 41.7742; -115.3724 (Jarbridge Lake)).^[2] The town of Murphy Hot Springs, Idaho is located on the river's main tributary, the East Fork Jarbidge River, about two miles above the confluence of the streams (42°03′N 115°23′W / 42.05°N 115.39°W / 42.05; -115.39); this is the last road access to the river canyon until the Bruneau River. For approximately 28 miles (45 km) this narrow river twists and turns northwest through a remarkable canyon, deep and rugged, but often dotted with groves of juniper trees along the banks. The Jarbidge Canyon is about 650 feet (200 m) deep at the confluence of the forks, and about 1,000 feet (300 m) deep at the confluence with the Bruneau. Once joining the Bruneau, the waters flow on to the Snake River and ultimately the Columbia River; therefore, it is one of very few rivers in northern Nevada that eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean. Tributaries include Buck Creek, Dave Creek, Columbet Creek, Dorsey Creek, Cougar Creek, and Poison Creek.

Whitewater boating

The river is quite cold; though swimming is possible, there is a danger of hypothermia. Flow rates vary wildly. Kayaking is possible in certain sections in early summer; class IV. The river can also be run by experienced rafters. For rafters, the run can be arduous, with log jams inevitably requiring portages, lining rafts down rapids, or simply heaving rafts up and over the blockage. For the well-seasoned and adventurous, however, this river provides a spectacular journey filled with class III and IV rapids before the Jarbidge runs into the Bruneau River.^[7] Rafters and kayakers should be aware that towards the end of this run (approximately 25 miles (40 km) below Murphy Hot Springs), looms Jarbidge Falls. Jarbidge Falls is a class V+ run and should only be run by expert kayakers. A huge, row home-sized boulder blocking half the river signals the beginning of this rapid.

Access

Access to the river is preferably via 4 wheel drive or ATV. The Big Bend (National Forest Service) campground is located nearby (8 miles (13 km)) and is suitable for day-tripping to the river. Access is near impossible from other locations in Nevada until about June/July due to snowdrifts across the mountainous access roads; otherwise access is from Idaho.

Conservation

The headwaters of the Jarbidge River are protected as the Jarbidge Wilderness, managed by the Jarbidge Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The Jarbidge River below the confluence with the East Fork is protected in the new Bruneau - Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness, which was created by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 and signed into law on March 30, 2009.

The Jarbidge River is home to a small population of threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus).^[8] Bull trout inhabit both forks of the Jarbidge River, as well as several tributaries. This small population is on the southern edge of the species' range, and is isolated from other populations of bull trout in southern Idaho, increasing their sensitivity to changes in habitat. Population densities were estimated at 10–20 fish per km (0.62 mi) in 1996. Columbia River redband trout also inhabit the river.^[4] Up until the early 1900s the river had large runs of spawning salmon, with reports of fish up 30 lbs common. Over fishing and dams along the lower Snake River led to salmon's decline in the area.^[9]