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Detour starting for White Salmon River rafters

In the spring, when flows are up on Washington's White Salmon River and water is spilled at Condit Dam, there's enough to attract rafters to a stretch that's otherwise dewatered. (Troy Wayrynen / The Columbian)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

RIVER RUNNING — Boater passage under the Northwestern Lake bridge on the Washington’s White Salmon River will be closed beginning Tuesday.

The White Salmon River, a popular whitewater rafting attraction, flows south from glaciers on Mount Adams, entering the Columbia River by the town of Hood River, Ore. See map .

Condit Dam is 3.3 miles from the mouth and just inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

PacifiCorp is rebuilding the bridge as part of the removal of Condit Dam. During the work, a temporary take-out will be located at cabin 12 just upstream of the bridge on the Skamania County side. A boat barrier will direct boaters to the location.

The temporary site is not as easy as using the Northwestern Lake boat ramp. It will take multiple rafters to move the boat and the grade is uphill.

Info: PacifiCorp at (503) 331-4361.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog