Any body remember what the effect of the 1980 eruption had on the Cowlitz River, or, an opinion of what a "medium" eruption might do to the river? I don't recall seeing any sign on the river banks of any ash. I plan on floating the river in my Cat-a-Raft about the middle of the week, & plan on camping one night on the river. I don't want to be "floating" with out my raft or competing with trees! Raft-Cat

The Cowlitz Glacier is on Mt. Ranier. The upper river should be unaffected unless there is a large ash plume that goes north. The Toutle River and the Cowlitz below it's confluence with the Toutle could be affected.

The thing about the 1980 explosion is that it was in May. There was still alot of snowpack on the mountain from the previous winter. That is what created such a magnificent mudflow.

I really woudn't worry about it to much. If you've been down that way or have seen pictures of the mountain lately, you'll notice there isn't much that would flow down now. At least not as far as the Cow I would think.

Now if you were thinking of fishing the Toutle a little ways up....

There isnt as much mountain or trees to be washed down any of the rivers and as BB stated, not as much water on the hill so, in my opinoin, its almost a non issue but everyone has to decide for themselves if they want to be in these locations with the current situation.