Greg McReynolds from Idaho Rivers United | The Lower Snake We Lost

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach sits down with Greg McReynolds, the Executive Director of Idaho Rivers United (IRU), to discuss the future of the Lower Snake River and the hidden rapids currently buried under its reservoirs.

Episode Summary

The conversation begins with the "permit apocalypse," as Greg and Zach share the common disappointment of being denied for major river lotteries like the Gates of Lodore. This frustration leads naturally into a discussion about unpermitted river opportunities and the massive potential of the Lower Snake River. Greg explains that IRU is heavily invested in the removal of the lower four Snake River dams to recover salmon populations in Idaho, which remains the "last best place" for salmon in the lower 48 states.

A fascinating part of the episode explores what lies beneath the current reservoirs between Lewiston and Pasco. Underneath 140 miles of stagnant water are 66 named rapids that have been submerged for half a century. Greg describes a future where those dams come down, transforming the river into a premier multi-day destination where boaters could potentially paddle from the Middle Fork of the Salmon all the way home to the Columbia River.

The episode also touches on the technical and political realities of dam removal. Greg clarifies that these dams were built with a 50-year lifespan that is now expiring, and their economic value—particularly in electricity generation—is diminishing. Unlike many other dams, these four were authorized by Congress, meaning their removal requires congressional action and a plan to replace services like barge shipping for grain with expanded rail and road infrastructure.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Conservation: Idaho Rivers United and their mission to protect Idaho's waterways.
• Geography: The Lower Snake River watershed and the impact of the four lower dams.
• Policy: The role of Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in dam relicensing and removal.

Key Discussion Points from this Episode

• Topic: Salmon Recovery. Why are the lower four Snake River dams the most significant impediment to salmon thriving in Idaho?
• Topic: Submerged Rapids. What were some of the legendary rapids, like Lewiston Rapid and Clarkston Rapid, like before the dams?
• Topic: Dam Lifespan. How does the expiring 50-year lifespan of these structures influence the urgency for removal?
• Topic: Logistics. What infrastructure needs to be built to replace barge shipping if the dams are removed?