We are asked quite often if the Rogue River will have enough water in August. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Due to its large watershed and the winter rain and snow stored in Lost Creek Reservoir the Rogue River has consistent and fun river levels all summer, every summer.
Most rivers peak in May and June after the spring rains stop and the snow stops melting and river flows steadily drop after that. The Rogue River, however, maintains consistent flows all spring and summer due to the William L. Jess Dam and Lost Creek Reservoir.
William L. Jess Dam and Lost Creek Reservoir
When the U.S. Congress approved the William L. Jess Dam in the Flood Control Act of 1962, the designated purposes were for flood control, irrigation, water supply, and fisheries enhancement. Since fisheries enhancement is one of the dam’s primary purposes, it stores winter runoff and releases it throughout the summer to support a healthy salmon and steelhead population.
In short, the water releases into the Rogue River are steadily managed through the summer to support and enhance its fish populations.
Based on the mandate by Congress to support fisheries, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers developed a management plan to:
- Maintain suitable downstream flows for salmon and steelhead
- Reduce high summer water temperatures by releasing colder water
- Improve juvenile salmon migration in the spring
- Support adult salmon and steelhead migration later in the season
- Improve downstream water quality.
All of these objectives result in healthy river flows in the Rogue River for rafting all summer long.
Why August is a Great Time on the Rogue River
Generally the river levels are a little higher in August in order to keep water temperatures low for fish. In the spring and early summer there are many small creeks adding this cold water crucial for a healthy fish population. In August those creeks are warmer and lower, requiring more cold water to be released from the bottom of Lost Creek Reservoir.
In addition to reliable river flows, the weather in August is generally quite pleasant. Rain is incredibly rare in August and temperatures are usually in the 80s and 90s. If you want a slightly cooler trip, consider going in late August or early September.
Common Questions
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Rogue River during a low snowpack year.
Does the Rogue ever get too low to raft?
No.
Most years the river is around 3,000 cfs in June and slowly drops down to 2,000 CFS over the course of the summer (on the river flow gauge in Grants Pass). The lowest river flows I’ve seen in August is 1,400 CFS and we have comfortably run trips as low as 900 CFS in September.
The abundant summer river flows are part of the reason the Rogue River is so popular and known as the most reliable multi-day river trip in the West.
Will the rapids still be exciting?
Yes!
Some rapids get easier and others get harder. Most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a trip at 1,000 cfs and 2,000 cfs.
What is the weather like in August?
Hot and dry.
We rarely see weather or cold temperatures in August. August is a great time to come if you like warm weather, great swimming holes, and everything else the Rogue River has to offer.
What about fires and smoke?
Wildfires can happen on the Rogue, but they are relatively uncommon. When they do occur, they’re often smaller fires burning through the underbrush and river trips are frequently able to continue under the direction of the Forest Service and BLM.
One thing that surprises many guests is how often the Rogue has cleaner air than the surrounding area. While nearby valleys like Grants Pass can trap smoke, the Rogue River canyon frequently benefits from cool marine air moving inland from the Oregon coast.
While many multi-day rivers start dropping to low flows by August, the iconic Rogue River keeps running strong. Thanks to flow releases from Lost Creek Reservoir, the Rogue maintains fun, reliable rafting conditions all summer long, even in low snowpack years.
