Mammoth River Adventures

River Glossary-

Rafting, Kayaking, Riverboarding, SUPing, Surfing

  • An area in the river where currents are forced upwards creating the water to look like it is boiling. Usually caused by deep river beds and irregular water flow.

  • The sound a boat makes when it goes over a steep obstacle, launches into the air, and then smacks the water on the other side of the obstacle.

  • Neoprene shoes or socks worn for warmth.

  • The act of drinking a beer or beverage out of your bootie after a day on the water. Usually implied if you fell into the water.

  • Often referred to as “River Booty”. Plunder found while floating on the river. Attempts to locate the owner are made then storage and use become the discretion of the finder.

  • Permanent markings attached to a physical bridge pylon that is submerged in the river. Markings are used to measure how high or low a river is flowing.

  • Cubic Feet per Second. The is the common way to measure river flows in the U.S.

  • The area where one river meets another river.

  • Any area of moving water.

  • Everyone in a raft has fallen out but the raft has stayed upright.

  • An area within a river where the main river current flows past a point and forces the current to move in the opposite direction of the main current filling in the space behind the point. An eddy is lower in elevation than the main river current flowing perpendicular to the same point. This becomes evident in eddy walls and is less noticable in eddy fences.

  • The area in a river between the main current flow and the eddy current flow. Because these currents are flowing in opposite directions it can be difficult to swim from the eddy current to the main current or vice vesa. The barrel swimming technique is most affective to swim through these areas. Your body will naturally spin as you move from the main current to the eddy current making the barrell swimming technique the most efficient use of your immediate energy.

  • The area in a river between the main current flow and the eddy current. An eddy wall is impossible or nearly impossible to swim from the eddy current to the main current or vice vesa. There is a signicant height difference between the main current and the eddy current. Eddy walls usually form when rivers are in flood stage.

  • The act of purposefully using upstream or downstream ferry angles to move across a river.

  • When any type of river craft tips upside down.

  • A measurement of the vertical drop in a river usually measured by feet per mile or F.P.M. The rafting sections on the Lochsa River average around 30 F.P.M.

  • An area of the river when water flows over an obstacle then flows deep into the area behind the obstacle before bouncing back to the surface creating aerated surface water that flows in the opposite direction of the main current. These areas can be difficult to exit. Use extreme caution.

  • Created by The American Whitewater Association. Used to generally rate the difficulty of navigating rapids and rivers.

    Class I - Easy

    Class II - Novice

    Class III - Intermediate

    Class IV - Advanced

    Class V - Expert

    Class VI - Extreme & Exploratory

  • The Nez-Perce word for “rough water”.

  • A specific bridge gage used to measure Lochsa river flow. This bridge gage is easily viewable by Lochsa users. Located in Lowell Idaho at the intersection of Highway 12 and Selway Road.

  • When a boat is violently thrashing and spinning about in a wave or hole.

  • A significant wave of water that forms all of a sudden without warning. Usually caused by river constriction and changing river flows.

  • Held with one hand, fixed to a boat using an oar lock, and used as a pair to propel a raft.

  • Held with two hands and used to propel a boat.

  • When your boat is stuck on an obstacle in the river because the force of the river current is pushing your boat against the obstacle holding it there.

  • The beginning point of a river trip. The area for vehicles, equipment, and people to access the river.

  • A type of watercraft made out of rubber or plastic used to navigate water using paddles and/or oars.

  • A type of watercraft designed with two handles for the user to hang on while laying on their belly and kicking with flippers to navigate and propel.

  • The operation of moving vehicles, people, and equipment from the meeting spot, to the put-in, to the take-out, and back to the meeting spot. Usually a nightmare.

  • Someone who has left their original river craft and is now swimming in the river. Usually someone who needs to be rescued.

  • When the guide of a raft dumps everyone out except themselves.

  • The finishing point of a river trip. The area for vehicles, equipment, and people to access the river.

  • Not to be confused with the Lowell Idaho Lochsa Bridge Gage. Information about this river flow measuring device can be found online. This measuring standard can not be easily viewed by Lochsa River users in real time so it is an unpreferred method of measurement by locals.

  • An area of the river when water flows over an obstacle, bounces off of the bottom of the river, and then smoothly forces its way up createing a visible wave which allows watercrafts to surf.