River Notes Archive

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Updated 4/8/06 o We Americans love our rivers. We live near them, fish on them, relax on them, and dream next to them. Rivers are nature’s circulatory system. But archaic dam operations are choking the life out of many of the rivers we love. Hydropower, a 19th century technology, has been run for generations with few modern, environmental protections. The impact has been devastating. The good news is that we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change that legacy for the better, improving the health of hundreds of miles of rivers while also strengthening local economies, by changing the way dams operate. More. o Seventy-five environmental groups around the country announced today that they will mount a petition campaign to reinstate the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule overturned by the Bush administration in one of its most controversial environmental decisions. Among the first citizens who have lined up to file a petition is Rebecca Giddens, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist kayaker. "National Forests are an important part of my lifestyle and I'm concerned our pristine forests and the unique recreational opportunities they provide are at risk," said Giddens, who trained for the 2004 Summer Games on California's famed Kern River, which runs through thousands of acres of roadless areas on the Sequoia National Forest. 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. Splashes: Rolling - AW Safety Code - River Quotes - Foamies - Water Art

River Notes for Friday, October 27, 2006

Important information about River Notes.

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2007 season will mark our 22nd year on the Kern River!

NOAA released an updated Winter Outlook on October 19. The outlook is based on the most recent U.S. Seasonal Outlook, and takes into account expected impacts resulting from the developing El Niño.

Dr. Klaus Wolter's Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) for August/September increased to 0.892. This is an increase of more than 1.4 standard deviations in five months, and moves the MEI to just above above the moderate El Niño threshold, as defined by the index. Over the last week the Southern Oscillation Index has dropped to about -13.5 and another westerly windburst has occurred in the western equatorial Pacific. TAO/TRITON 5-Day Depth Averaged Temperature data shows two large areas of anomalies of 1.7 °C or more. All this suggests continued strengthening of the El Niño. We'll see!

No El Niño impacts here yet, just great Autumn weather. The last couple runs of the GFS computer model and ensemble forecasts have been hinting at the possibility of a frontal passage sometime around November 6-7, but that is too far out to put much credence in the forecasts at this point.

Our world-famous Lickety-Split and Lickety-Blaster raft trips are far and away the two most popular and most affordable Class 2-3 whitewater rafting runs available on the Kern River. Both are full of enough excitement to challenge just about everyone from young tikes to grandmas and grandpas. Already paddled the Kern? Click here to find photos of your raft trip!

Need paddling gear? Before you buy gear from a store that only exists on a computer, check out our River Store. We're located in Kernville, California, just yards from the Kern River. We are river people. Our river guides, kayak instructors, and outfitter store employees actually use the products we sell. Need help? Call us, and you'll talk to a knowledgeable person that can answer your gear questions.

Learn to kayak! Our proven teaching method takes you through a gradual progression that maximizes the fun. We've designed our beginning class for those who have never river kayaked before, or who have played around with kayaking some, but have not had formal instruction in the fundamentals of river kayaking. We also offer a 5-day total immersion learn-to-kayak class. Our Kayaking School page has all the details on these, and other whitewater and lake touring kayak classes!

If you are looking for a new boat, check out the recreational, touring, whitewater kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and kayaks in our Boat Barns. Bring up your old boat and let us sell it on consignment on the Used Boat Barn. We have great results selling used boats. Call us @ 760-376-3745 for details.

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.

More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.

River Notes for Friday, October 13, 2006

Important information about River Notes.

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2007 season will mark our 22nd year on the Kern River!

NOAA released it's initial Winter Outlook on October 11. The outlook is based on the most recent U.S. Seasonal Outlook, issued September 21, and takes into account the developing El Niño.

An upper level low that produced several inches of snow at South Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain earlier this week is was located off the coast of Southern California this morning and spinning bands of showers into the area. At 4:00 p.m. Intellicast radar showed an active area of showers and thunderstorms east of Bakersfield.

According to the CNRFC Interactive Precipitation Map, in the 24 hour period ending at 1:00 p.m. Bakersfield has recorded 0.13 inch, Kernville 0.02 inch. The Johnsondale RAWS has recorded 0.03 inch. Snow sensors in the Kern basin indicate the current snow level is around 11,000 ft.

Depending on the track of the upper low, and several other factors, there should be a continuing chance of showers or thundershowers into Saturday. The 18z ETA and GFS model projections suggest precipitation amounts at higher elevations of the Southern Sierra ranging from about 0.1 inch to as much as about 0.50 inch. We'll see!

Dr. Klaus Wolter's Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) for August/September increased to 0.892. This is an increase of more than 1.4 standard deviations in five months, and moves the MEI to just above above the moderate El Niño threshold, as defined by the index.

Our world-famous Lickety-Split and Lickety-Blaster raft trips are far and away the two most popular and most affordable Class 2-3 whitewater rafting runs available on the Kern River. Both are full of enough excitement to challenge just about everyone from young tikes to grandmas and grandpas. Already paddled the Kern? Click here to find photos of your raft trip!

Need paddling gear? Before you buy gear from a store that only exists on a computer, check out our River Store. We're located in Kernville, California, just yards from the Kern River. We are river people. Our river guides, kayak instructors, and outfitter store employees actually use the products we sell. Need help? Call us, and you'll talk to a knowledgeable person that can answer your gear questions.

Learn to kayak! Our proven teaching method takes you through a gradual progression that maximizes the fun. We've designed our beginning class for those who have never river kayaked before, or who have played around with kayaking some, but have not had formal instruction in the fundamentals of river kayaking. We also offer a 5-day total immersion learn-to-kayak class. Our Kayaking School page has all the details on these, and other whitewater and lake touring kayak classes!

If you are looking for a new boat, check out the recreational, touring, whitewater kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and kayaks in our Boat Barns. Bring up your old boat and let us sell it on consignment on the Used Boat Barn. We have great results selling used boats. Call us @ 760-376-3745 for details.

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.

More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.

River Notes for Monday, October 2, 2006

Important information about River Notes.

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2007 season will mark our 22nd year on the Kern River!

We need your help! As many of you know, two Forest Service outfitter permits are up for bid. Both permits could be issued to one company, or a current permittee could get one or both. They could also give them to companies that have never been on the Kern before.

To encourage the broadest offering of outfitter and guide services, it is our belief that no company should be awarded more than one permit. We also feel the permits should go to Kern based companies. Local companies not only have the expertise to do the best job, but will more positively benefit the Kern Valley economy.

If you would like to write a letter for inclusion in Sierra South's proposal, or send a letter of support to the Forest Service in Porterville, please contact Tom Moore for more information. All responses are needed by October 11th. Thanks!

The first widespread measurable rain of the 2006-2007 rain season moved into Central and Southern California yesterday, and continued overnight. Some showers were briefly heavy -- indicative of the convective nature of the precipitation. Rainfall amounts around the area were generally around a 0.1 inch or less, but some stations recorded as much as about 0.25 inch. The higher elevations of the Sierra were chilly this morning. Upper Tyndall Creek (11,400 ft.) recorded a low of 31°F.

In an unscheduled advisory, issued September 13, 2006, NOAA announced that El Nino conditions had developed in the tropical Pacific and could strengthen into a moderate event by winter. Some impacts of the El Nino have already been observed, and typical El Nino temperature and precipitation patterns are expected to develop in North America this winter. We'll see!

Our world-famous Lickety-Split and Lickety-Blaster raft trips are far and away the two most popular and most affordable Class 2-3 whitewater rafting runs available on the Kern River. Both are full of enough excitement to challenge just about everyone from young tikes to grandmas and grandpas. Already paddled the Kern? Click here to find photos of your raft trip!

Need paddling gear? Before you buy gear from a store that only exists on a computer, check out our River Store. We're located in Kernville, California, just yards from the Kern River. We are river people. Our river guides, kayak instructors, and outfitter store employees actually use the products we sell. Need help? Call us, and you'll talk to a knowledgeable person that can answer your gear questions.

Learn to kayak! Our proven teaching method takes you through a gradual progression that maximizes the fun. We've designed our beginning class for those who have never river kayaked before, or who have played around with kayaking some, but have not had formal instruction in the fundamentals of river kayaking. We also offer a 5-day total immersion learn-to-kayak class. Our Kayaking School page has all the details on these, and other whitewater and lake touring kayak classes!

If you are looking for a new boat, check out the recreational, touring, whitewater kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and kayaks in our Boat Barns. Bring up your old boat and let us sell it on consignment on the Used Boat Barn. We have great results selling used boats. Call us @ 760-376-3745 for details.

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.

More information concerning flow and weather can be found on our LINKS page.

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