The Global Paddling Community

Playspot: USA, Idaho, Washington State Line, Spokane River, Dead-Dog

What's it like

When the Spokane River is above 18000 cfs, the hole at "Dead-Dog" is starting to see its fans show up in their boats. Located under the highway bridge at Stateline, Idaho, it is formed by a large, angular, slab of rock that at low flows is high and dry. Depending on the flow, the back feeder eddy can be strong enough to take you like an escalator right to the hole.

The hole can be sticky at lower flows and numerous swims have occurred. Most moves are possible: cartwheels, screw-ups, spins, etc.

(In case you wonder what this picture is all about: it shows a yellowish rock at the left upper, a dead dog in the center with a white boat and a paddler in it, bow in the air, red helmet, stern squirting in the pile :-)

It is at its best at high volume (> 26000 cfs), which is typically during spring runoff when both water and air are cold. The width is 15-20 feet.

Some years it's not there at all due to low snowpack.

Safety aspects: easy access, class II above and below, but a swim can be long due to high volume, and hypothermia is a concern.

How to get there

When traveling East or West on I-90, take the Stateline exit and go north, crossing the Spokane river. The parking is on the east side. The hole can be viewed by the bridge abutment or directly above the hole on the east side of the bridge.

More info

For water levels, you can call Jason at Otter Sports in C'ouer D'Alene, Id.: +1 208 7697275
Playboating Northwest

Locals

Apart from some locals in playboats, jet-skiers on rare occasions. The underpass is a drinkin', smokin' hangout for local teens. The namesake dead dogs are gone, but the name remains!

Info sources

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