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News and Information

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.)

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S T R E A M L I N E S
News & Info for Paddlers
Updated 07/09/03

o Since the sea is jazzy, complex, and changes over time, you should really take your time when scouting before setting out. First, check weather reports for an approaching storm or big swells. Assuming the weather doesn't scare you off, assess the conditions when you reach the water's edge. Get with your partners, and go through the Sea Conditions Rating Scale (SCRS) point by point. Discuss each factor until you reach consensus. Then move on to the next item. When finished, tally the score, convert to a class I-VI system, and determine whether everyone in your group can safely partake that day. More: Tsunami Rangers

o While working at the Museum of Man, traditional kayaks became my main focus of study. I traveled widely, visiting museums around the world with important kayak collections. I became adept at crawling around in cramped storage rooms taking lines off rare specimens. Plans were drafted from these lines to allow reproduction of authentic Arctic kayaks. More.

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 La Niña conditions, marked by colder ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, continued to develop for the second straight month, report scientists at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md. More: NOAA

Splashes: St. Francis Dam Failure - S.F.Kern - River Quotes - Zambezi Big Water - Condition Black

River Notes for Friday, August 29, 2003

Important information about River Notes.

The 18th Annual End of Summer Blowout Sale is has been extended!

20%-50% off boats: Many new and used boats to choose from including Whitewater, Touring, and Recreational Kayaks, Sit-on-Tops, Inflatable Kayaks and Hyside Rafts!! If you want a certain boat, call us. We probably have it!

15%-50% off selected store merchandise: Paddling gear, footwear, men’s women’s and kid’s apparel, dry bags, gear bags and more!!! Sale items are marked down in our online River Store.

30%-70% off rental gear: Life jackets, paddles, helmets, paddle jackets, spray skirts, wetsuits, booties, etc.! See Helmets, Paddles, PFDs and Sprayskirts in the Used Boat & Equipment Barn.

For more information call 1-760-376-3745.

This afternoon the COE is reporting the Lower Kern at Borel at 832 cfs, which is still a good flow for kayaks on the Miracle to Democrat section of the Lower Kern. The Upper is reported at 346 cfs. When thunderstorms are in the forecast keep an eye on the Upper Kern flow. In recent weeks the flow has increased to above 500 cfs several times due to thunderstorms in the high country.

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.)

EquipmentThe Sierra South Online StoreClick!

 

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)
29AUG2003 1300 -- -- 4.92 346 832 286 546 202309 --
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.

 


S T R E A M L I N E S
News & Info for Paddlers
Updated 07/09/03

o Since the sea is jazzy, complex, and changes over time, you should really take your time when scouting before setting out. First, check weather reports for an approaching storm or big swells. Assuming the weather doesn't scare you off, assess the conditions when you reach the water's edge. Get with your partners, and go through the Sea Conditions Rating Scale (SCRS) point by point. Discuss each factor until you reach consensus. Then move on to the next item. When finished, tally the score, convert to a class I-VI system, and determine whether everyone in your group can safely partake that day. More: Tsunami Rangers

o While working at the Museum of Man, traditional kayaks became my main focus of study. I traveled widely, visiting museums around the world with important kayak collections. I became adept at crawling around in cramped storage rooms taking lines off rare specimens. Plans were drafted from these lines to allow reproduction of authentic Arctic kayaks. More.

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 La Niña conditions, marked by colder ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, continued to develop for the second straight month, report scientists at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md. More: NOAA

Splashes: St. Francis Dam Failure - S.F.Kern - River Quotes - Zambezi Big Water - Condition Black

River Notes for Thursday, August 7, 2003

Important information about River Notes.

Free recreational and touring kayak demos! Paddlers can try out the latest recreational boats this Sunday, August 10, at Boulder Gulch on Lake Isabella from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Earlier this Summer conditions suggested the early stages of the development of another La Nina (cool) phase of the ENSO cycle. However, in the last two months the La Nina development has reversed itself and neutral ENSO conditions currently prevail. According to NOAA, neutral conditions are expected to continue for the next few months. Since La Nina often results in a lower than average Kern snowpack, the change to neutral conditions improves the chances for good flows in 2004.

The 18th Annual End of Summer Blowout Sale is Saturday, August 23rd & Sunday August 24th, 2003 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Sierra South in Kernville, California and, on-line customers have the opportunity to take advantage of all our sale items starting at 1:00 on Saturday, August 23rd. All in stock items will be on sale and priced to blow out the door!!!

20%-50% off boats: 200+ New and Used boats to choose from including Whitewater, Touring, and Recreational Kayaks, Sit-on-Tops, Inflatable Kayaks and Hyside Rafts!! If you want a certain boat, call us. We probably have it! Boats will be added to inventory during the week preceding the sale so keep in mind that the complete list of Kayaks, Sit-on-Tops, Inflatable Kayaks, Hyside Rafts, Inner tubes and Rubber duckies will be available by August 23rd, 2003.

15%-50% off all store merchandise: Paddling gear, footwear, men’s women’s and kid’s apparel, dry bags, gear bags and more!!!

30%-70% off rental gear: Life jackets, paddles, helmets, paddle jackets, spray skirts, wetsuits, booties, etc.!

Just like last year (and the year before that) we’ll be letting boaters into the sale on a lottery system basis. Numbers will be drawn at 8:00 am Saturday August 23rd, 2003 (so there is no need to claim your spot on the concrete the night before!) For more information call 1-760-376-3745.

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.)

EquipmentThe Sierra South Online StoreClick!

 

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)
07AUG2003 1100 -- -- 4.92 333 991 457 534 241856 --
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.

Store: 760-376-3745  Mail Order: 800-376-7303  Reservations: 800-457-2082

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