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, June 16, 2006

Important information about River Notes.

Triple digit highs are forecast for the Kernville-Lake Isabella area this weekend. Significant snow remains at the higher elevations of the Kern River basin, and the hot weather could push flows on the Upper Kern back above 4000 cfs mark. This Naval Research Laboratory satellite image from Wednesday, June 14, shows a considerable amount of snow on the higher peaks of the Kern River basin.

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.

It looks like there's a great Summer of whitewater ahead! The 6/13/06 update of the Bulletin 120 run-off forecast projects the inflow to Lake Isabella should range from about 150% to 162% of normal. A CNRFC AHPS/ESP Trace Analysis for the period June 7 to August 7, 2006, projects the average daily inflow to Lake Isabella could remain above 1000 cfs through August 1st.

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 Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Important information about River Notes.

Yesterday, the COE reported a peak stage and flow on the Kern at Kernville of 9.78 ft. and 7203 cfs -- high, but not quite as high as the peak of 9.82 ft. and 7588 cfs back on May 15th. This morning the river is still cranking at above 6000 cfs!

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.

It looks like there's a great Summer of whitewater ahead! The 5/30/06 update of the Bulletin 120 run-off forecast projects the inflow to Lake Isabella should range from about 147% to 162% of normal. A CNRFC AHPS/ESP Trace Analysis for the period June 7 to August 7, 2006, projects the average daily inflow to Lake Isabella could remain above 1000 cfs through August 1st.

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, June 2, 2006

Important information about River Notes.

The Kernville Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) was relocated recently, and is now located in the Riverkern area, about 2 miles north of Kernville. Yesterday, the Riverkern RAWS recorded a high of 93°F, and similar temperatures are forecast for the next several days.

Warmer, summer-like weather is melting more Sierra snow and pushing flows back into the 4000-5000 cfs range. This morning at 10:00 the Kern at Kernville was reported at 4606 cfs, and the flow could top 5000 cfs within a day or two. The Lower Kern at Borel remains at about 4500 cfs.

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!

It was close, but according to preliminary COE data, the hourly flow at Kernville, the average daily flow at Kernville, and average daily inflow to Lake Isabella all peaked on May 15th. At 9:00 A.M. on the 15th, the COE reported the Kern at Kernville at 9.82 ft. and 7588 cfs. The COE also reported a 24 hr. average inflow to Lake Isabella of 6299 cfs, and a 24 hr. average flow at Kernville of 6910 cfs. These flows were slightly higher than those recorded on May 19, the date projected by the CNRFC for the peak, and the flows recorded on May 20.

This CNRFC AHPS/ESP Trace Analysis shows the range of expected average daily inflows to Lake Isabella for the period June 2 to August 2, 2006. The projection is based on the conditions as of June 1st, and the flow history of the Kern. Note that the flow projected is the average inflow to Isabella over 24 hours. On a given day, the peak hourly inflow would normally be higher than the daily average.

The 5/30/06 update of the Bulletin 120 run-off forecast projects the inflow to Lake Isabella should range from about 147% to 162% of normal. This is about the same as the run-off projected last year at this time. California Cooperative Snow Survey's May 1 snow course measurements for the Kern River basin this year averaged 174% of normal, compared to 186% last year.

Friday rain turned to weekend sun, and the combination resulted in great whitewater and weather for the 42nd Kern River Kayak & Raft Festival! Many thanks to the paddlers, spectators, sponsors and all the volunteers that help put on the event; and an extra special "Thank You!" to paddler Terry Valle who spearheads the organization of the Festival year after year. Results and photos are now available on the KVRC web site.

Learn to kayak! Kayaking classes have started! 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.

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. If your river gear is held together with duct tape and Aquaseal, and leaks like a sieve, browse our River Store and get some gear that will help keep you warm and dry!

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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