Upper West Branch Priest River

Priest River, Idaho

Blocked todayIdaho
Blocked today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Blocked

for canoeing, today

An agency closure order is in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 13 h ago · oldest 13 h

  • problem: Agency alerts

    6 active alerts in Idaho Panhandle National Forests; most severe: Idaho Panhandle Seasonal Food Storage Order

    USFSPosted Jul 15, 2024 · checked 13 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Rain, high 59°F / low 33°F, 20% precip — 96/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather13 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

23.6 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
88 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow
88 cfs
Average current
1.2 ft/s
Gradient
72.1 ft/mi
Drainage area
68 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Upper West Branch Priest River

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Upper West Branch Priest River is a 24-mile paddling stretch near Priest River, Idaho. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 88 cfs and a gradient of about 72.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Idaho Panhandle National Forests as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Le Clerc Creek

~21 min drive

Le Clerc Creek is a 1.1-mile paddling stretch near Cusick, Washington. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 95 cfs and a gradient of about 64.9 feet per mile.

Kalispell Bay Boat Launch

~12 min drive

Kalispell Bay Boat Launch is a boat launch in Idaho.

Lower West Branch Priest River

~22 min drive

Lower West Branch Priest River is a 23-mile paddling stretch near Priest River, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 98 cfs and a gradient of about 24.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Ruby Ferry

~22 min drive

Ruby Ferry is a boat launch in Washington.

East Branch Le Clerc Creek

~22 min drive

East Branch Le Clerc Creek is a 2.9-mile paddling stretch near Cusick, Washington. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 39 cfs and a gradient of about 159.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Bead Lake Boat Launch

~24 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Washington.

Granite Creek

~22 min drive

Granite Creek is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Nordman, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 157 cfs and a gradient of about 50.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Sandpoint Landing

~45 min drive

Sandpoint Landing is a boat launch in Idaho.

Small Creek

~34 min drive

Small Creek is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Cusick, Washington. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 35 cfs and a gradient of about 171.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Horseshoe Lake

~55 min drive

Horseshoe Lake is a boat launch in Washington.