River Notes Archive

• Sierra South Rapid! News Feed! • Shop at the Sierra South River Store! • Check which New Kayaks are on Sale! • Browse New & Used Kayaks, Rafts & Gear! • Kayak Comparison Chart • 2006 Class Info & Class Calendar • 2006 Event Calendar • Kern Festival 2006 Photos & Results • "Around the Kern" Resource Guide • News from the Past...

Updated 10/14/06 o American Rivers marked the 38th Anniversary of the signing of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by announcing a challenge to designate 40 new Wild & Scenic rivers by the 40th Anniversary in 2008. That initiative notched its first win with passage of legislation to designate a section of the Black Butte River and its tributary Cold Creek in California. More. o In a major victory for wildlife protection, federal Magistrate Judge Elizabeth La Porte of the Northern District of California today threw out a controversial Bush administration Roadless Rule and reinstated protections for over 58 million acres of roadless National Forests, making them off-limits to logging, road construction, and other development. More. o Summer 2006 was the second warmest June-to-August period in the continental U.S. since records began in 1895, according to scientists at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. Additionally, the 2006 January-to-August period was the warmest on record for the continental U.S. More. o The globe is warming, but the American West is really cooking - hotter and faster on average than the rest of the U.S. and the world, according to a leading climate researcher. 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 Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Important information about River Notes.

Happy New Year! The “off-season” at Sierra South has been a very busy one! Permits became available from the US Forest Service to run the Upper Kern, Forks of the Kern and Lower Kern River sections. After a few crazy months of putting together a proposal and waiting for word to come from the US Forest Service, Sierra South heard the news that we have been selected to provide commercial outfitter and guide services for whitewater boating on the Forks of the Kern and Upper Kern River.

The US Forest Service will soon issue Sierra South a temporary permit that will be converted to a priority permit after completion of a successful 1 year probationary period. What does this mean to our customers and friends? Sierra South will be offering much, much more for your Rafting and Kayaking pleasure! Keep an eye on our web site in the next few months to check out all the exciting new trips and classes we will be offering. A special THANK YOU to all our friends who helped during this process with letters and support!

Sierra South is currently accepting applications for seasonal staff! We are looking for staff members who are energetic, self-motivated, enjoy the out-of-doors, team players and above all else, willing to provide exceptional guest services. Employment opportunities include river guides, kayak instructors, seasonal office staff, reservationists, food service manager, retail sales associates, bus drivers and photographers. Please see our Employment Information page for more information.

We talk a lot about the "Kern River basin" in Rivernotes. During the Winter, 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. If you look near the bottom of the photo, you'll see Lake Isabella. We're located just north of the lake!

What do you do when you have one of top all-around river-running playboats on the water? You make it even better! Jackson Kayaks has refined the design of the Fun series so that it is more comfortable, more forgiving, more playable, even easier to roll, and well... even more fun! We expect to have the new Funs in stock soon, and are accepting preorders now. For more information call 1-800-376-7303.

If you are looking for a new boat, check out the recreational, touring, whitewater kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and kayaks in our Boat Barns. We have new Wave Sport Projects, Diesels and Habitats in stock and ready to put under your Christmas tree! Bring up your old boat and let us sell it on consignment in the Used Boat Barn. We have great results selling used boats. Call us @ 760-376-3745 for details.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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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