Jarbidge River
Idaho
The Jarbidge River originates as two main forks in the Jarbidge Mountains of northeastern Nevada. It flows through basalt and rhyolite canyons on the high plateau of the Owyhee Desert before joining the West Fork of the Bruneau River to form the Bruneau River about 24 miles north of the Nevada border, just upstream of Indian Hot Springs. Nearly 29 miles are designated wild. Challenging whitewater flows through a canyon with steep walls and statuesque rock formations. Golden eagles are often seen, and chukar are abundant.
Designated Reach
March 30, 2009. The Jarbidge River from its confluence with the West Fork of the Bruneau River to the upstream boundary of the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness.
Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Botany
The Bruneau River phlox, a white-flowered and matted plant that clings to ledges, rock crevices, and cliffs, occurs in vertical or overhanging rhyolitic canyon walls along the inner Jarbidge River Canyons. The entire known extent of Bruneau River phlox in Idaho occurs within approximately 35 mile...Show More
Fish
The Jarbidge River supports both redband trout and the southernmost population of bull trout in North America and contains one of six bull trout populations identified for recovery. The threatened bull trout is the only fish in the Owyhee Canyonlands that is federally listed under the Endangered ...Show More
Geology
The Jarbidge, Bruneau and Owyhee river systems provide the largest concentration of sheer-walled rhyolite/basalt canyons in the western United States. Though not unique to southwest Idaho, the presence of these geologic formations in such great abundance and aerial extent makes the designated riv...Show More
Prehistory
Native Americans have utilized the canyonlands for shelter, weaponry, fish and game, and water for thousands of years. Petroglyphs, pictographs, rock alignments, shrines, and vision quest sites of the Shoshone and Paiute peoples are located throughout the Owyhee Canyonlands. Tribal members still ...Show More
Recreation
The Jarbidge River is a narrow, technical river known nationally for its challenging whitewater through a remote desert canyon. Boats over 14' are not recommended for there are two or more long, rocky, and challenging portages. Additional hazards on the Jarbidge are ever-changing logjams and blin...Show More
Scenery
Narrow canyons along the Jarbidge River can be as deep as 800 feet. They are dominated by a mixture of high, vertical lines, and forms of coarse-textured, red, brown, or blackish eroded cliffs, often glazed with yellow to light green micro-flora. Steep diagonal lines of talus slopes, with their y...Show More
Wildlife
The Owyhee Canyonlands provide riparian habitat for a number of wildlife species common to southwest Idaho. Big game commonly found in the area includes California bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn.
Common large and mid-sized predators in the area include cougars, bobcats, coyo...Show More