River Notes Archive
(Links and other information are historical in nature and may no
longer be correct. Products referenced in the archives may no longer
be available. References to products on sale do not apply.) |
|
o Recreation access is likely the greatest unresolved land management issue in America. While conservation, resource protection, and restoration get much attention from federal agencies and recreationists, access is often overlooked and there is often a lack of funding, direction, and expertise for working in this frequently contentious arena. More: Access Toolbox from American Whitewater. o USGS Surface-Water Field Techniques training class. This on-line class is designed to be taken at your own pace. We hope it will provide you with a basic understanding of techniques the U.S Geological Survey uses to collect streamflow data. More: USGS o Around the world, unruly rivers have long driven a hard bargain. In exchange for rich soil, irrigated land and convenient transportation, they have forced floodplain dwellers to deal with an occasional washout. Engineers have labored for thousands of years to lessen the risk, but their attempts at managing Mother Nature have been mixed -- often resulting in as much failure as success. More: NOVA o Dutch whalers, plying the waters adjacent to Greenland in the late 1600s, brought back not only a wealth of whale oil and furs, but many artifacts acquired from the Greenlanders. Along with hunting equipment, skins and ivory, the whalers brought back kayaks. Several of them still exist, souvenirs from a grand period of Dutch seafaring; ethnological treasures that offer a valuable glimpse into 300-year-old kayak forms from Greenland. More: Sea Kayaker Magazine Splashes: Fender Bender@ 20,000 cfs - Salmon River Canyon - River Quotes - Zambezi Big Water - Tricky Wuu |
River Notes for Thursday, June 26, 2003
Important information about River Notes.
Cable, Powerhouse, and the Limestone run were the venues for an unprecedented series of six ICF sanctioned World Cup Wildwater races over a nine day period that ended Sunday. Athletes from 14 countries competed in the races, including virtually all of the top wildwater racers from around the world.
The Kern Valley River Council organized a grass roots effort of nearly 400 Kern Valley volunteers to put on the event. An Olympic style opening ceremony was held at the Kernville rodeo grounds. Residents opened their homes to athlete home-stays, community groups organized lunches, dinners and entertainment. Athletes and officials said the event set a new standard for wildwater World Cups.
Wildwater racers paddle sleek 15 ft. boats as fast as possible on a stretch of whitewater river. The fastest time in each class wins. A Classic race and a two run Sprint race were held at each venue. The overall winners and World Cup Champions are:
- C1 - Vladi Panato (Italy)
- K1W - Michala Strnadova (The Czech Republic)
- C2 - Vladimir Vala & Jaraslav Slucik (Slovakia)
- K1 - Kamil Mruzek (The Czech Republic)
Kernville teacher and Sierra South instructor Katharine Edmonson competed in the K1 Women's class and was the top U.S. boat in that class. For complete results, photos, and more information, see KernWildwater.com.
Flows on the Upper Kern have dropped to about 1000 cfs after reaching the highest levels from snowmelt since 1998. This morning at 9:00 the COE gage at Kernville is reporting 990 cfs. The flow reported by the COE for the Lower Kern below Borel was 1274 cfs. The storage in Lake Isabella was reported at 308,542 acre-feet. Storage in the reservoir reached a high of 312,712 acre-feet on June 20.
We have new whitewater and recreational kayaks in stock. Check 'em out in the New Boat Barn and Kayak Comparison Chart.
Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info. (SCE reports that flow phone data is updated twice daily. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821.)
Upper Kern |
Lower Kern |
||||||||
| Above Fairview* | Below Fairview* | At Kernville | Lake Isabella | Below Democrat Dam* | |||||
| Date & Time | Flow (cfs) | Flow (cfs) | Stage | Flow (cfs) | Total Outflow | to River | to Borel Canal | Storage (acre-feet) |
Flow (cfs) |
| 26JUN2003 0900 | 877 | 273 | 6.05 | 990 | 1274 | 716 | 558 | 308542 | 1035 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 | WY '00 | WY '99 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Extended | CNN | Washington Post | Satellite | Radar | Kernville RAWS | RAWS Archive | |
| *Flow values from SCE Flow Phone. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. Reportedly, flows are updated twice daily. | |||||||||
More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.
|
o Recreation access is likely the greatest unresolved land management issue in America. While conservation, resource protection, and restoration get much attention from federal agencies and recreationists, access is often overlooked and there is often a lack of funding, direction, and expertise for working in this frequently contentious arena. More: Access Toolbox from American Whitewater. o USGS Surface-Water Field Techniques training class. This on-line class is designed to be taken at your own pace. We hope it will provide you with a basic understanding of techniques the U.S Geological Survey uses to collect streamflow data. More: USGS o Around the world, unruly rivers have long driven a hard bargain. In exchange for rich soil, irrigated land and convenient transportation, they have forced floodplain dwellers to deal with an occasional washout. Engineers have labored for thousands of years to lessen the risk, but their attempts at managing Mother Nature have been mixed -- often resulting in as much failure as success. More: NOVA o Dutch whalers, plying the waters adjacent to Greenland in the late 1600s, brought back not only a wealth of whale oil and furs, but many artifacts acquired from the Greenlanders. Along with hunting equipment, skins and ivory, the whalers brought back kayaks. Several of them still exist, souvenirs from a grand period of Dutch seafaring; ethnological treasures that offer a valuable glimpse into 300-year-old kayak forms from Greenland. More: Sea Kayaker Magazine Splashes: Fender Bender@ 20,000 cfs - Salmon River Canyon - River Quotes - Zambezi Big Water - Tricky Wuu |
River Notes for Monday, June 9, 2003
Important information about River Notes.
Athletes from around the world are arriving in the Kern River Valley this week to compete in a series of six International Canoe Federation (ICF) sanctioned Wildwater races on the Upper Kern River. Opening ceremonies are Saturday, June 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Kernville Rodeo Grounds. Races will be held through the week, culminating with a challenging sprint race through class IV Limestone Rapid.
Wildwater racers paddle sleek 15 ft. boats as fast as possible from start to finish on a stretch of whitewater river. The fastest time wins. The Kern River World Cup races will include three shorter (Sprint) races and three longer (Classic) races. For a complete schedule of events, and more information, see KernWildwater.com.
Flows on the Upper Kern have dropped below 3000 cfs after reaching the highest levels from snowmelt since 1998. According to COE data the average daily inflow into Lake Isabella (including the S.F. Kern) peaked at 3925 cfs on June 3; and the average daily flow of the Kern at Kernville peaked at 3786 cfs on May 30. As a result of a gage "stage adjustment" June 4th or 5th, the peak hourly flow is more difficult to determine. It may have been on the morning of May 29, when the river reached 8.82 ft. on the gage, or it may have been June 4 when the revised COE flow was reported at 4119 cfs. The SCE flow phone reported 4384 cfs above Fairview the morning of May 29.
This afternoon at 3:00 the COE gage at Kernville is reporting 2696 cfs. The SCE flow phone reported 2148 cfs above Fairview Dam, 1541 cfs below Fairview Dam, and 2633 cfs at Kernville. The flow reported by the COE for the Lower Kern below Borel was about 1450 cfs. The storage in Lake Isabella was reported at 303,813 acre-feet; the highest the lake has been since July 1999.
We have new Transformers, G-Rides, GT 7.5, 7.8, 8.1, FX 5.7, Blackwaters, Sparkys, Sundances, Hulas, and Festivas in stock. Check 'em out in the New Boat Barn and Kayak Comparison Chart.
Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info. (SCE reports that flow phone data is updated twice daily. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821.)
Upper Kern |
Lower Kern |
||||||||
| Above Fairview* | Below Fairview* | At Kernville | Lake Isabella | Below Democrat Dam* | |||||
| Date & Time | Flow (cfs) | Flow (cfs) | Stage | Flow (cfs) | Total Outflow | to River | to Borel Canal | Storage (acre-feet) |
Flow (cfs) |
| 09JUN2003 1500 | 2148 | 1541 | 7.52 | 2696 | 1454 | 887 | 567 | 303813 | 1047 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 | WY '00 | WY '99 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Extended | CNN | Washington Post | Satellite | Radar | Kernville RAWS | RAWS Archive | |
| *Flow values from SCE Flow Phone. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. Reportedly, flows are updated twice daily. | |||||||||
More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.
|
o Recreation access is likely the greatest unresolved land management issue in America. While conservation, resource protection, and restoration get much attention from federal agencies and recreationists, access is often overlooked and there is often a lack of funding, direction, and expertise for working in this frequently contentious arena. More: Access Toolbox from American Whitewater. o USGS Surface-Water Field Techniques training class. This on-line class is designed to be taken at your own pace. We hope it will provide you with a basic understanding of techniques the U.S Geological Survey uses to collect streamflow data. More: USGS o Around the world, unruly rivers have long driven a hard bargain. In exchange for rich soil, irrigated land and convenient transportation, they have forced floodplain dwellers to deal with an occasional washout. Engineers have labored for thousands of years to lessen the risk, but their attempts at managing Mother Nature have been mixed -- often resulting in as much failure as success. More: NOVA o Dutch whalers, plying the waters adjacent to Greenland in the late 1600s, brought back not only a wealth of whale oil and furs, but many artifacts acquired from the Greenlanders. Along with hunting equipment, skins and ivory, the whalers brought back kayaks. Several of them still exist, souvenirs from a grand period of Dutch seafaring; ethnological treasures that offer a valuable glimpse into 300-year-old kayak forms from Greenland. More: Sea Kayaker Magazine Splashes: Fender Bender@ 20,000 cfs - Salmon River Canyon - River Quotes - Zambezi Big Water - Tricky Wuu |
River Notes for Wednesday, June 4, 2003
Important information about River Notes.
As we approach the Summer solstice on June 21, the sun moves higher in the sky and can more efficiently melt any remaining snowpack. There must be a lot of snow tucked away in the cirques and gullies of the higher elevations of the Kern River basin, because the flow on the Upper Kern remains in the neighborhood of 3000 cfs.
In fact, according to preliminary COE data, the higher sun and warming temperatures produced a new peak daily average inflow to Lake Isabella yesterday (June 3) of 3925 cfs! The previous daily peak was 3864 cfs on May 30. The highest hourly flow recorded so far this Spring at the Kernville gage is 3637 cfs (8.82 ft.) at 10:00 a.m. on May 29.
This morning at 9:00 the COE gage at Kernville was at 3488 cfs. At about the same time the SCE flow phone reported 3903 cfs above Fairview Dam, and 3555 cfs below Fairview Dam. The flow reported by the COE for the Lower Kern below Borel was about 1270 cfs
Athletes from more than 15 countries are expected to benefit from the higher June flows when the Kern Valley hosts a series of six ICF World Cup Wildwater races June 14-22 on the Kern River . For a schedule of events, and more information, see KernWildwater.com.
We have new Transformers, G-Rides, GT 7.5, 7.8, 8.1, FX 5.7, Blackwaters, Sparkys, Sundances, Hulas, and Festivas in stock. Check 'em out in the New Boat Barn and Kayak Comparison Chart.
Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info. (SCE reports that flow phone data is updated twice daily. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821.)
Upper Kern |
Lower Kern |
||||||||
| Above Fairview* | Below Fairview* | At Kernville | Lake Isabella | Below Democrat Dam* | |||||
| Date & Time | Flow (cfs) | Flow (cfs) | Stage | Flow (cfs) | Total Outflow | to River | to Borel Canal | Storage (acre-feet) |
Flow (cfs) |
| 04JUN2003 0900 | 3903 | 3555 | 8.70 | 3488 | 1272 | 683 | 589 | 286104 | 925 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 | WY '00 | WY '99 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Extended | CNN | Washington Post | Satellite | Radar | Kernville RAWS | RAWS Archive | |
| *Flow values from SCE Flow Phone. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. Reportedly, flows are updated twice daily. | |||||||||
More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.
