River Notes Archive

River Notes for Monday, January 27, 2003

Important information about River Notes.

Everyone is asking, "What's happened to El Nino?" News stories comparing this year's El Nino to 1997's are asking where's all the rain? With only a trace of rain, downtown Los Angeles will record one of the four driest Januarys since record keeping began in 1877. Even so, as a result of storms earlier this season, the Southern Sierra snowpack is reported to be about 100% of normal for the date.

Despite what you might have heard on the news, this year's moderate strength El Nino is almost exactly what forecasters predicted. The Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) for November/December increased somewhat to 1.15, which ranks 10th highest over a period of 53 years, but is not nearly as strong as the MEI value of 2.22 recorded for Nov/Dec 1997. Early on forecasters cautioned that the impacts from this year's El Nino were not expected to be as severe as in 1997-98.

So when is it going to rain and snow? Most medium range forecasts keep the southern half of California dry into the first week of February. The ECMWF is somewhat stronger with a trough due through this weekend, but current ensemble forecasts suggest significant precipitation in Southern California is unlikely. In the longer term, most outlooks continue to forecast wetter than average weather for Southern California. For example, according to the IRI climate outlook for February to April there is a 50% chance that precipitation in Southern California will be in wettest one-third historically for that period, and a 30% chance it will be in the middle third, and only a 20% chance it will be in the lower third. We'll see!

Hot, not hype! Sierra South's Paul Armes makes the most of every paddling day. With the warm and dry Winter weather he's been getting in a lot days in his Transformer. Here's what he had to say about the new Transformer series:

Last year, I paddled the G-Force for most of the season and loved it. It was a great boat for the conditions on the Kern last summer (low water year). I did find the limitations of the boat however; especially in pushy water and surfing on the coast. Since I boat 300+ days a year, I can afford only one boat. I saw the Transformers at the Salt Lake Show in August and I must admit I was skeptical of the removable tips...were these things durable enough for my style of boating or just gimmicky? I can report now, after 60 days in the boat that they are in fact very durable and easy to change and they really work! For my size (5'9" 160lbs), the T2 fits me the best, although I can paddle all of these boats surprisingly well. Right now the winter water is low and I have bumpers on for playspots. The five inch tips are great for balancing and helping to throw down. I used an 8" tip down on the beach and it made all the difference in the world. The outfitting is the best standard outfitting ever. No more digging around for scraps of foam. The bulkhead strap, adjustable hip pad shims and newly designed backband are fit for a king. Take it out of the wrapper throw on a skirt and start hucking... I'm in heaven!

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. We have demo boats of most models, and the river is high enough to see how they paddle.

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.)

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

River Notes for Friday, January 10, 2003

Important information about River Notes.

Even though the Northern Sierra has been the focus of many storms this Winter, California Cooperative Snow Surveys' daily summary of statewide Snow Water Equivalents reports the Southern section snowpack at 128% of normal for the date. The Central section is about the same at 131%, and the North section is reported to be at whopping 171% of normal. It looks like a persistent ridge may minimize snowfall this month, but all outlooks suggest the period from January to April should be wetter than normal.

Sierra South kayak instructor Brad Willoughby has been taking advantage of the good weather and near 500 cfs flow to paddle his new Dagger G-Ride 6.5:

At 6'3" and 215lbs., I was pleasantly surprised to slip right into this boat. The outfitting has improved enough for me to be able to jump in and paddle immediately without any major adjustments. Last season I paddled the G Force 6.3 all year. (It was
a low water year in California and especially on the Kern.) This year the G Ride will compliment my G Force as my free running kayak when I need more boat in bigger water. I plan on using it on the Forks, Thunder Run, Dry Meadow, and Brush Creek. I will still use the G Force, but I really look forward to using the G Ride as my all-around boat.

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. We have demo boats of most models, and the river is high enough to see how they paddle.

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.)

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

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