Horn Rapids is a Class I-II rapid on the Yakima River in Benton County, Washington, just above Wanawish Dam.
The falls
The Yakima River makes an abrupt north-south turn at Horn Rapids. Wanawish Dam, built in 1997, now sits at the historic rapid, replacing an 1892 structure called Horn Rapids Dam. The reach is rated Class I-II on the International Scale.
Getting there
Horn Rapids Park has parking and a concrete boat ramp. A practical short run puts in at Benton City, river mile 100.8, and takes out at the park, river mile 111.6, upstream of the dam. Paddlers continuing downstream must portage around Wanawish Dam on river left before Twin Bridges at river mile 117.1. Benton County limits camping near the park to reserved group sites of ten or more, at $30 per site per night; individual drop-in camping is not currently offered.
When to go
The Yakima River at the Kiona gauge supports a runnable range of 500 to 10,000 cubic feet per second.
On site
Wanawish Dam is very hazardous; paddlers should take out upstream of it or portage on river left. A paddler drowned below the dam in 2006 and another was rescued.
History and name
The name refers to the river's abrupt turn at this point. Yakama and Wanapum people traditionally fished for salmon and whitefish at the site; the dam's current name, Wanawish, means a rock-dam fishing place.
Nearby
Coyote Rapids is about 21.3 miles away, Umatilla Rapids about 30.8 miles, and Priest Rapids about 37.3 miles.
Distances are straight-line.