Pistol Creek logjam on the Middle Fork Salmon River

On July 24th of 2006, a powerful rainstorm blew out a tiny creek, dislodging debris and trees, hurtling them down the once crystal clear Middle Fork of the Salmon River, where they completely bottled up popular Pistol Creek rapid.
In July of 2006, a downpour brought dead timber and debris into Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River, completely blocking the famous river at Pistol Creek rapid. Bruce Reichert was with a private party that happened upon the logjam early that morning. He contacted Jeff Tucker, who also worked for Idaho Public Television, and Jeff landed with a video camera at Pistol Creek ranch. John and Janette Crancer also helped shoot and produce this account of how the Forest Service dealt with the logjam.
Outdoor Idaho: A Middle Fork Journey features this incident in the half hour show.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

If you don't want the logjam blasted because it is wilderness, Kirk, then don't call for rescue if you ever get in trouble in wilderness. Yeah it is wilderness but there are also a lot of unprepared humans out there that don't belong. The forest service has to manage a few larger hazards in order to deal with all those people. It helps to see these issues through the eyes of experience.

[@dgrfsthrgsergwrtghasefq]

I have been boating wilderness rivers for 30 plus years and this was the biggest joke I have ever seen on a river, they were not managing the river for the people involved they were trying to get TV coverage nothing more, turn it into a zoo and act like they were saving people. There was no need to get congressional approval or call in every National News station in the counrty to blast out a log jam that would wash away during the next winter as all upper put permits were done the weekend we put on due to low water. It helps to see issues through the eyes of someone who was there, but I guess you have more experience than me. 30+ years rafting/kayaking class V rivers 10+ years professional guide 10+ years professional kayak instructor 8 years swift-water rescue instructor wilderness first responder swift-water rescue tec with 5 years working for major production companies (Werner Brothers, MGM & various T.V and commercials productions....excetra).

[@dgrfsthrgsergwrtghasefq]

So please explain why we were being guarded by Forest Service employees not allowed to move, segregated and restricted from any News stations.

[@justinvandal9696]

Chainsaw? Or a pole saw ? Loggers could do it easy

[@keithsparling5537]

Looked perfect, just enough to break it up... Nice job, some may have used too much explosives, your judgement was accurate. Thank you

[@hucktang]

Why didn't they just portage? Its a wilderness river, thats what you do.

[@todddaugherty110]

You obviously have never seen Pistol Creek Rapid.

[@hucktang]

@@todddaugherty110 oh I have.. luckily just last week and was rewatching this video. The pack trail goes above the rocks, I believe one person did portage at this time.

[@thasokun7658]

=-6490♥️

[@fishfoolishness4222]

Its amazing how some people are able to get permits every year. Guess you just have to know height officials. Automatic permits for the favored, lottery for everyone else.

[@WildWestTrail]

Such a remote place.

[@skeets6060]

Ya needed more powder,, lots more powder!

[@ryanhiniker]

they told you that you'd be arrested? why?

[@dgrfsthrgsergwrtghasefq]

USFS turned this into the biggest circus I have ever been in. There was no need to blast, no need in trampling down vegetation to make a viewing platform to watch the blast. We portaged our gear raft and a few kayaks and were told we would be arrested at the take out if we left the scene, Just because John Haugh wanted to play with some explosives does not make this the correct action to take. One or one hundred logs across the river you portage and go on your way. USFS specialists what a joke.

[@whitewaterfun317]

good thing they were rafters that were (TRAPPED), if it were powerboaters they would have been told , sorry we cant help you.

[@ericrichins6499]

Great work FS! Keep it up.

[@dgrfsthrgsergwrtghasefq]

What they do not show you is the log that flew up and over a small hill and landed on a hiking trail, outside there "blast zone". Nothing about this operation was safe. All they did was turn a natural event into "Look at me.... I`m a Forest Service specialists, I`ll save you, but lets get some TV crews here first." What a joke!!!