Twin Falls Waterfalls and Whitewater Are About to Turn On

You’ve probably seen the headlines about low snowpack.

That’s only part of the story.

Across the region, total precipitation maps are showing many basins in the green, and the high elevation SNOTEL sites in the Salmon River drainage are sitting right around or above 100% of normal.

At the same time, the Upper Snake reservoirs are currently about 74% full, with more high-elevation snow still waiting to come down.

That’s what actually drives flows this time of year. Even with warm temps accelerating melt, a lot of that early runoff has already been captured in the reservoirs.

And we just got an update:

Flows at Milner Dam are expected to ramp to ~2,500 CFS starting May 4th and hold for about four weeks. Subject to change, but this is the current outlook. For context, Milner Dam is what controls flows through the middle Snake River in the Magic Valley. That means everything through Twin Falls, including Shoshone Falls and Auger Falls, is directly tied to releases from this dam.

When those flows increase, the entire canyon downstream comes to life.

Twin Falls Is About to Flip a Switch

It's about to go from quiet to flowing powerfully.

When water starts pouring through the canyon and the Snake River actually feels like a river again.

Murtaugh: Rare, Powerful, and Not for Everyone

When flows hit this range, the Murtaugh section of the Snake River comes into play.

Most of the year, it’s not even runnable.

At the right levels, it turns into:

• A true Class IV whitewater run

• Big, powerful rapids

• One of the wildest sections in Idaho

This is advanced-only. It’s fast, pushy, and not forgiving.

But for the right crew, it’s a serious highlight.

Hagerman: The Consistent Play

Not everything needs peak runoff.

The Hagerman stretch of the Snake River delivers:

• Fun Class III wave trains

• Warm weather

• Long, splashy sections that stay good all summer

• Perfect for families and first timers

It’s the go-to for groups that want action without the intensity of high-water runs.

And Don’t Overlook the Salmon River

While the Snake River spikes early, the Salmon River is backed by strong high-elevation snowpack.

That means:

• Sustained flows all summer

• Big early-season whitewater, with fun thrilling rapids all summer long.

• Long, multi-day windows that stay reliable

It’s one of the most dependable river systems in the West when the snow sits high like this.

Short Window. Big Opportunity.

This early May ramp-up is where everything lines up:

• Waterfalls at full force

• Rare sections like Murtaugh turning on

• Prime early-season whitewater

It doesn’t last long.

If you’re planning to get on the water this year:

• Check out Snake River rafting trips
  

• Or step up to a Salmon River expedition