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 The debate over the proposal to breach the Sierra's O'Shaughnessy Dam, drain the reservoir behind it and restore Hetch Hetchy Valley to its former natural splendor is apt to intensify this summer with the release of a California Department of Water Resources study on the issue. More. o The Cosumnes River is an anomaly in the heart of California’s breadbasket—the last undammed river in the heavily irrigated Central Valley. The Cosumnes flows freely from its headwaters in the red fir forests of the Sierra Nevada to its confluence with the Mokelumne River and the marshes of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. More. o California is blessed with some of the most beautiful and diverse rivers in the world. From the steep creeks of the high Sierra to the broad and powerful rivers of the Central Valley, each river tells a personal story and provides a unique experience to the visitor. More. o What rescue equip. do you carry? Shoes, of course, though I'm pretty optimistic. Most down-days I carry rope, knife, handpaddles, couple caribiners, Cliff bar, lighter, and one Petzl Ti-bloc. I've got a little Adventure Medical Kit I've enhanced with Lortabs, Flexeril, and a space blanket for steep, remote, or long days. I've got a wad of orange flagging tape I use to mark new wood on popular runs. I carry more food, gloves, balaclava, and headlamp for cold days or late starts. . .West Coast/ international creeking I've got float-bags, iodine or a water filter, and a firm knowledge of my walk-out options (or map). People often forget how much safety equipment you can store in your brain - weight free.(Clay Wright) More Splashes: Rolling - AW Safety Code - River Quotes - Foamies - Water Art |
River Notes for Monday, June 20, 2005
Important information about River Notes.
What a difference a year makes! Last year on June 20, 2004, at noon, the COE reported the Kern at Kernville at 684 cfs, the Lower Kern at Borel at 966 cfs, and Isabella storage at 218,685 acre-feet. Today, the Upper Kern is at about 2800 cfs, the Lower at about 3600 cfs, and Isabella nearly full at 536,100 acre-feet!
The Upper Kern would be about 1000 cfs higher, if not for an unseasonably strong Pacific system that resulted in showers in Northern California, and cooler weather over the entire state Thursday, Friday and Saturday. At this point in the snowmelt, most of the snow is at the highest elevations of the Sierra, so cooler temps can dramatically affect the flow. To get an idea of how temperature and the amount of snow relate to the flow, check out this graphic of the flow at Kernvile, and temperature & snow at Pascoes (9150').
Update 06/24/05 7:30 a.m. Temperatures have been a few degrees cooler than forecast -- mid-90's vs. around 100 at Kernville -- with peak flows at Kernville around 3300 cfs, instead of 3500 or so. The CNRFC has revised their flow projections based on conditions as of Thursday, June 23. This projects the average inflow to Isabella staying above 2000 cfs through the July 4 weekend, and above 1000 cfs into the third week of August. The season on much of the Upper Kern could extend beyond Labor Day.
Yesterday's high at the Kernville RAWS was 87 degrees, and by mid-week, daytime highs could reach 100 degrees. This could push hourly flow readings for the Kern at Kernville back into the 3500-4000 cfs range with peak flows possibly exceeding 4000 cfs later in the week. We'll see!
Today's RiverPhoto is a shot by Gary Gunder of the class V rapid Bombs Away on Upper Kern, taken earlier this month when the Upper was running about 3500 cfs.
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This Spring, the highest reported hourly stage and flow for the Kern at Kernville was 10.05 ft. and 8211 cfs on Friday, May 27 at 1:00 P.M. The highest reported average daily flow for the Kern at Kernville was 7280 cfs on Saturday, May 28. The highest reported average daily inflow to Lake Isabella was 7077 cfs on Friday, May 27. These figures will probably be revised to reconcile flows reported at Kernville and corresponding inflows to Lake Isabella. The USGS gage on the South Fork near Onyx, recorded a peak flow of 1,710 cfs on the afternoon of May 17th.
Have you had a chance to visit the new Sierra South River Store? We have all the paddlesports gear you'll need -- on and off the river. Be sure to check the store's Bargain Barn for super prices on a wide range of gear.
Have you signed up for a kayaking class or rafting trip, or are considering it? Check our Kayaking and Rafting float notes (PDF) to see how to get to Kernville, what you need to bring, and other important information. Need some items for your class or trip? We have a complete selection paddlesports gear at our Kernville store and on-line. It's going to be a fantastic season, so be sure to make your reservations early.
Retire that bleached out PFD, worn down paddle, and behemoth kayak and get into something new! Why not advertise your current boat for sale on our web site in our consignment Used Boat Barn? Call us at 800-376-7303 for more info! Looking for a boat? Check out the recreational. touring and whitewater kayaks (and rafts) in our Boat Barns. Also be sure to check all the new gear in the Sierra South River Store!
Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data, based on reports from the Corps of Engineers (COE) and Southern California Edison (SCE). Click on "Current" to get the latest COE info. For SCE flow information, call the flow phone at 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. According to SCE, the flow phone values reported for Above & Below Fairview, and Below Democrat Dam are updated every 5-10 seconds. All other flow phone data is manually updated twice a day (7am & 2pm) when an operator is on duty.
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) |
| 20JUN2005 1100 | 2727 | 2162 | 7.79 | 2743 | 3629 | 3064 | 565 | 536102 | 3504 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '05 | WY '04 | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Zones | 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. According to SCE the flow values reported for Above & Below Fairview, and Below Democrat Dam are updated every 5-10 seconds. All other flow phone data is manually updated twice a day (7am & 2pm) when an operator is on duty. | |||||||||
More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.
o Short-term drought concerns have been alleviated in many areas of the Southwest especially southern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado... The unusual southward shift in the winter storm track that helped the Southwest has resulted in deficient rain and snow to the north. Moderate to severe drought developed over the winter in portions of the Pacific Northwest. Some mountain observation sites in Idaho, Montana and Washington were snowless in early March for the first time in more than 30 years. More. o For most of its 125-mile course from Nevada's high desert to the bottom of Death Valley, the Amargosa River is as dry and empty as a ghost town. The only time the Amargosa really runs is during abnormally wet periods -- once every year or two, sometimes less -- and even then the river is unpredictable and fleeting. That is exactly what made Bert Welti want to run it. More. o California is blessed with some of the most beautiful and diverse rivers in the world. From the steep creeks of the high Sierra to the broad and powerful rivers of the Central Valley, each river tells a personal story and provides a unique experience to the visitor. More. o What rescue equip. do you carry? Shoes, of course, though I'm pretty optimistic. Most down-days I carry rope, knife, handpaddles, couple caribiners, Cliff bar, lighter, and one Petzl Ti-bloc. I've got a little Adventure Medical Kit I've enhanced with Lortabs, Flexeril, and a space blanket for steep, remote, or long days. I've got a wad of orange flagging tape I use to mark new wood on popular runs. I carry more food, gloves, balaclava, and headlamp for cold days or late starts. . .West Coast/ international creeking I've got float-bags, iodine or a water filter, and a firm knowledge of my walk-out options (or map). People often forget how much safety equipment you can store in your brain - weight free.(Clay Wright) More Splashes: Rolling - AW Safety Code - River Quotes - Foamies - Water Art |
River Notes for Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Important information about River Notes.
Water, water, everywhere... But in this case, the hillside isn't gushing water -- from time to time the operators of the Borel Powerplant bypass the flume and create the "Borel Cascade." Here's what it looks like at river level .
There is a lot of water. This afternoon at 3:00, the Lower Kern at Borel is reported at 3075 cfs and Lake Isabella's storage is reported at 523,695 acre-feet. This is the highest the Lake has been since late June 1998. Back in 1998 Lake Isabella topped out at about 562,500 acre-feet and releases from the reservoir remained above 1000 cfs through November!
Due to lower temps at higher elevations, the flow on the Upper Kern is not as high as last week, but is still a healthy 3700-3800 cfs. Today's high at the Kernville RAWS is pushing 80 degrees and as temps go up over the next few days, so should the flow on the Upper. The Corps of Engineers FCR report from today estimates more than 230,000 acre-feet of water remaining in the Kern snowpack. Continued moderate temps could extend the season on the Upper Kern beyond Labor Day.
This Spring, the highest reported hourly stage and flow for the Kern at Kernville was 10.05 ft. and 8211 cfs on Friday, May 27 at 1:00 P.M. The highest reported average daily flow for the Kern at Kernville was 7280 cfs on Saturday, May 28. The highest reported average daily inflow to Lake Isabella was 7077 cfs on Friday, May 27. These figures will probably be revised to reconcile flows reported at Kernville and corresponding inflows to Lake Isabella. The USGS gage on the South Fork near Onyx, recorded a peak flow of 1,710 cfs on the afternoon of May 17th.
Many California rivers have seen high flows this season. Here's a photograph taken by Brett Valle of a surging wave/hole at Clavey Falls on the Tuolumne at 16K. Brett reports that the entire run took less than 2 hours and eddies were few and far between! See Brett's boof.com and photography web sites for more paddling photos.
Have you had a chance to visit the new Sierra South River Store? We have all the paddlesports gear you'll need -- on and off the river. Be sure to check the store's Bargain Barn for super prices on a wide range of gear.
Have you signed up for a kayaking class or rafting trip, or are considering it? Check our Kayaking and Rafting float notes (PDF) to see how to get to Kernville, what you need to bring, and other important information. Need some items for your class or trip? We have a complete selection paddlesports gear at our Kernville store and on-line. It's going to be a fantastic season, so be sure to make your reservations early.
Retire that bleached out PFD, worn down paddle, and behemoth kayak and get into something new! Why not advertise your current boat for sale on our web site in our consignment Used Boat Barn? Call us at 800-376-7303 for more info! Looking for a boat? Check out the recreational. touring and whitewater kayaks (and rafts) in our Boat Barns. Also be sure to check all the new gear in the Sierra South River Store!
Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data, based on reports from the Corps of Engineers (COE) and Southern California Edison (SCE). Click on "Current" to get the latest COE info. For SCE flow information, call the flow phone at 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. According to SCE, the flow phone values reported for Above & Below Fairview, and Below Democrat Dam are updated every 5-10 seconds. All other flow phone data is manually updated twice a day (7am & 2pm) when an operator is on duty.
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) |
| 08JUN2005 1500 | 3223 | 3209 | 8.38 | 3655 | 3075 | 2525 | 530 | 523695 | 2769 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '05 | WY '04 | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Zones | 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. According to SCE the flow values reported for Above & Below Fairview, and Below Democrat Dam are updated every 5-10 seconds. All other flow phone data is manually updated twice a day (7am & 2pm) when an operator is on duty. | |||||||||
More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.
