JACKSON, Wyo. — Dave Hansen’s 2025 High Water Hey Day contest is open for just a few more days! Looking for some coveted insider knowledge before you guess? Check out these high water guesses from local Snake River connoisseurs:
One of THEE Sultans of the Snake River, Dave Hansen guessed 18,300 CFS on May 9. Hansen says, “we have had a pretty normal snow and pretty normal spring, so we should have a pretty average peak.”
Dave Hansen Whitewater Senior Guide, Delaney Harrop guessed 17,400 CFS. According to Harrup, “it has been climbing but the snowpack on Glory above the pass is looking thin. In years past, I’ve seen that once the snow around that level of the pass is gone, snowmelt additions are going to decline. Whether they (Bureau of Reclamation) decide to send extra water downstream to protect the levees or add to lower reservoirs is anyone’s guess.”
Owner of Rendezvous River Sports, which is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, Aaron Pruzan guessed 18,500 CFS on May 6. According to Pruzan, “while I love big water – bigger the better. It seems we are headed to an average peak. I hope I am wrong.”
JD High Country Outfitters and Snake River aficionado Scott Sanchez guessed 15,000 CFS on May 7. Sanchez states that its, “gonna be kind of a weird runoff. Stuff is going up but not blowing up, small streams especially. Some I think is going in the ground, because there are lots of non muddy trails for early May. I think it will be a slow ramp up.”
Snake River Legends Paul and Jean Bruun guessed 13,900 CFS and 15,800 CFS, respectively. After being away from Jackson most of the winter, the Bruun’s remind everyone, “this is a total guess!”
Longtime Snake River Guide in the 1990s and now owner of Teton Dental Arts Dr. Cathy Tebay guessed 22,000 CFS on May 6. Tebay says, “mostly because of wishful thinking. I want to see it over 20K…that’s my favorite level.”
Think you’ve got river smarts? Take your best shot at guessing this year’s high water mark on the Snake River, and you could float away with your very own NRS raft! The contest is open through May 31, and the Grand Prize goes to the closest guess (without going over) in cubic feet per second. Check out the current river report for clues—flows, temps, and weather—all the intel you need to make a winning guess.
New this year: We have a fantastic prize for the next generation of river rafts: Ages 13–17 can paddle away with their very own Tributary Spud Inflatable Kayak!
(MSRP $2,795)
