(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 EJ’s 2005 World Freestyle Kayak Championships Wrap-Up. The World Championships stands alone as a meeting place of the best whitewater paddlers in the world gathered for a competition, fellowship, and a good time. They arrive interested in the feature they will be competing on and training. Then they gather in groups by country in the beginning, having team meetings and sharing information that can help them win. 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 o The Environmental Protection Agency is close to issuing new guidelines making it easier for sewage authorities to dump partially treated wastewater during heavy rainfalls, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. More. o Watercraft have long played a vital role in the cultures of most First Peoples in Canada. Indian and Inuit boat builders have produced many varieties of wooden dugout, bark canoe and skin boat, each designed for specific purposes and particular conditions. This selection of Native watercraft from the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s collections highlights the creativity and skill of Indian and Inuit boat builders. More. Splashes: Rolling - AW Safety Code - River Quotes - Foamies - Water Art |
Important information about River Notes.
Olympic Silver medallist Rebecca Giddens, with husband Eric, atop the Sierra South/Hyside float, brighten a gray and damp Whiskey Flat Days Parade. Other notables riding in the parade were grand marshal John E. McNally, state Senator Roy Ashburn and state Assemblymember Kevin McCarthy.
Learn some of the paddling techniques that took Rebecca to the Olympics. Get a jump on the paddling season and hone your paddling skills at the Kern Gold Medal Paddling Camps, April 2-5 and April 7-10. Space is limited, so call 800-457-2082 and make your reservation today!
You've probably heard that Los Angeles is experiencing its wettest rainy season in 115 years. So far, Los Angeles has received 33.87 inches of rain, making it the third wettest water year on record.
The same systems that bring rain to Los Angeles often result in snow (or rain) in the Kern River basin. As of today, the Kern snowpack water content appears to be generally comparable to the big seasons of 1977-78 and 1997-98, but less than in 1982-83. Some snow is forecast Sunday into Tuesday, however it looks like we may be transitioning to a drier pattern later next week. Today's NWS 8-14 day precipitation outlook calls for below normal precipitation in California. We'll see!
Update 03/01/05 9:00 A.M. While the Kern River basin snowpack water content at Pascoes and Wet Meadows remains comparable to the big El Nino year of 1997-98, most other snow sensors in the basin now show less snow water than the 1997-98 season. Precipitation forecasts and outlooks for the next two weeks have been inconsistent, but for the moment don't look quite as dry as they did last Friday. RIver Notes will be updated once some Kern snow course measurements are reported.
California Cooperative Snow Surveys reports the Southern Section Sierra at 158% of normal for the date and 130% of the April 1 seasonal total. Kern snow sensor measurements are exceptionally variable this year, with high elevation readings varying from 105% to 177% of normal. One sensor, reading 89% of normal, may not be accurate. New snow course measurements are due in at the end of the month and will help with snowpack estimates.
Learn to kayak! Early Bird Kayaking 101 start March 12. 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.
Check out the new Dagger Crazy 88s and Mambas, and the Jackson All Star in the New Boat Barn. Here's a shot of Sierra South's Paul Armes getting in some Winter boating in an All Star.
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) |
| 25FEB2005 1400 | -- | -- | 5.78 | 743 | 604 | 16 | 588 | 142181 | -- |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '04 | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 | WY '00 |
| 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 EJ’s 2005 World Freestyle Kayak Championships Wrap-Up. The World Championships stands alone as a meeting place of the best whitewater paddlers in the world gathered for a competition, fellowship, and a good time. They arrive interested in the feature they will be competing on and training. Then they gather in groups by country in the beginning, having team meetings and sharing information that can help them win. 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 o The Environmental Protection Agency is close to issuing new guidelines making it easier for sewage authorities to dump partially treated wastewater during heavy rainfalls, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. More. o Watercraft have long played a vital role in the cultures of most First Peoples in Canada. Indian and Inuit boat builders have produced many varieties of wooden dugout, bark canoe and skin boat, each designed for specific purposes and particular conditions. This selection of Native watercraft from the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s collections highlights the creativity and skill of Indian and Inuit boat builders. More. Splashes: Rolling - AW Safety Code - River Quotes - Foamies - Water Art |
Important information about River Notes.
California Cooperative Snow Surveys' February snow course measurements have started to come in. With 16 of 16 courses recorded, it looks like the Kern River basin snowpack water content equals or exceeds the big Winters of 1977-78, 1982-83, and 1997-98. The average of the stations measured so far is about 218% of normal for the date, and 133% of the normal April 1 total.
According to historical snow course data, the basin appears to have the most snow water content for February 1, since February 1997*. How this season will compare to other big years is hard to tell. Generally, the Sierra has about 60% of its seasonal snow water content around February 1. *Note: 1996-97 was also a big snowfall year, but not as big as the El Nino Winter of 1997-98.
We talk a lot about the "Kern River basin" in Rivernotes. This time of year we frequently refer to the Upper Tyndall Creek, Pascoes, and Wet Meadows snow sensors. During the paddling season, it might be Limestone, The Forks, Kern Falls, or Kernville. Here's a satellite overview of the 1000 square mile N.F. Kern drainage area with a few of the features labeled.
With all the snow, it looks like it could be a big water year. Get a jump on the paddling season and hone your paddling skills at the Kern Gold Medal Paddling Camps, April 2-5 and April 7-10. Paddle with the best -- 1992 Olympic Gold Medallist Joe Jacobi and 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist Rebecca Giddens. Space is limited, so call 800-457-2082 and make your reservation today!
Learn to kayak! Early Bird Kayaking 101 start March 12. 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.
Check out the new Dagger Crazy 88s and Mambas, and the Jackson All Star in the New Boat Barn. Here's a shot of Sierra South's Paul Armes getting in some Winter boating in an All Star.
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) |
| 02FEB2005 1500 | -- | -- | 5.42 | 518 | 555 | 19 | 536 | 131130 | -- |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '04 | WY '03 | WY '02 | WY '01 | WY '00 |
| 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.
