River Notes Archive

River Notes for Monday, March 27, 2000

Important information about River Notes.

Another great weekend on the Kern! The forecast had been for partly cloudy, but you would be hard pressed to find a cloud anywhere in the brilliant blue sky! Saturday the high temperature at the Kernville Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) was 78 degrees and on Sunday it was even warmer. Some of the cloudiness that was supposed to be around on the weekend is now over the area, but this should be gone by tomorrow.

The 36th Kern River Festival, hosted by the Kern River Alliance, is just around the corner. We expect to have more water than last year, so Kern favorites like Dry Meadow Creek and Brush Creek should have adequate water. The NOWR Whitewater Rodeo will be held on Friday, April 14th, with the finals on Saturday. The action starts at 9:00 a.m. on both days. The Wildwater/Downriver race is on Saturday morning and the T.J. Slalom Classic is on Sunday, April 15th. Here's the Festival Entry Form and Waiver in Adobe Acrobat format. This should be mailed to the KRA address specified on the entry form.

Sports Afield has selected Kernville the #1 "Outdoor Sports Town" in California and the #1 paddling community in the U.S. See "Kernville tops national magazine's list of best outdoor sports towns" in the online edition of the Kernville Sun.

We've been adding all kinds of boats to the New Boat Barn. It's easy to check and see the models that are in the Barn. First, use the pull-down list on the left side of the page to select the general type of boat. For example, you might choose "Recreational Kayaks," or "Whitewater Kayaks." Then use the pull-down list on the right to list the models that are currently in the Barn. You can then select that model and look at photos of the actual boats we have on hand. (New arrivals may not be listed.) New boats are coming in all the time, so if you don't see a particular model or color you're looking for, give us a call at 1-800-376-7303.

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info.

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

River Notes for Tuesday, March 21, 2000

Important information about River Notes.

Say "Hi!" to the first Kayaking Class of the 2000 Season! George, Peter, Michelle, Ray, Instructor Eric, Carlos, Dan, and Chas had near perfect weather for the Early Bird Kayaking 101 class. Brilliant blue skies, warm temperatures, and a good river level were enjoyed by all. (Kayaking 101 classes usually start out a Lake Isabella, where students can become familiar with their equipment and practice strokes and other skills that will be used on the river.) Special "Early Bird" pricing on weekend Kayaking 101 classes is available through April.

Sports Afield has selected Kernville the #1 "Outdoor Sports Town" in California and the #1 paddling community in the U.S. See "Kernville tops national magazine's list of best outdoor sports towns" in the online edition of the Kernville Sun.

On March 10, 2000 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order "Modifying and Approving Recreation Monitoring Plan." The plan, required by the license to operate the Kern River No. 1 Project, will monitor recreational use over a five year period in the project's bypassed reach "for the purpose of determining whether future demands for river recreation in the project's bypassed reach warrant modifications to the project's operating scheme to protect and enhance recreational values of the Kern River." The study is not limited to whitewater recreation and will include other activities directly influenced by river flows, such as "swimming, fishing, wading and recreational mining." For additional info about the bypassed reach see KR1 - SCE Kern River Project #1.

We've been adding all kinds of boats to the New Boat Barn. It's easy to check and see the models that are in the Barn. First, use the pull-down list on the left side of the page to select the general type of boat. For example, you might choose "Recreational Kayaks," or "Whitewater Kayaks." Then use the pull-down list on the right to list the models that are currently in the Barn. You can then select that model and look at photos of the actual boats we have on hand. (New arrivals may not be listed.) New boats are coming in all the time, so if you don't see a particular model or color you're looking for, give us a call at 1-800-376-7303.

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info.

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

River Notes for Friday, March 17, 2000

Important information about River Notes.

According to the calendar Spring may not begin for a few days, but here on the Kern Spring is already happening! The hills are green, high temps are in the seventies, and the river is at 800 cfs and climbing. Yesterday, the high temperature recorded by the Kernville RAWS was 73, and on Saturday could top 80 degrees.

Early bird Kayaking Classes start this weekend. Call and ask us about our early bird prices!

We've been adding all kinds of boats to the New Boat Barn. It's easy to check and see the models that are in the Barn. First, use the pull-down list on the left side of the page to select the general type of boat. For example, you might choose "Recreational Kayaks," or "Whitewater Kayaks." Then use the pull-down list on the right to list the models that are currently in the Barn. You can then select that model and look at photos of the actual boats we have on hand. (New arrivals may not be listed.) New boats are coming in all the time, so if you don't see a particular model or color you're looking for, give us a call at 1-800-376-7303.

We had a great turnout for the Perception/Sierra South Clinic. Perception's Woody Calloway answered paddler's questions about the new Amp, Ultra Clean, Method, Method Air and Stikine. The weather cooperated and everyone enjoyed paddling the boats. Sierra South had a chance to sit and chat with Woody. Here, mostly uncensored, are the highlights of the "Interview with Woody".

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info.

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

River Notes for Wednesday, March 15, 2000

Important information about River Notes.

Did you see? The Upper Kern just broke 700 cfs. The warmer weather and lower elevation snow are combining to give us a jump-start on Spring!

Early bird Kayaking Classes start this weekend. Call and ask us about our early bird prices!

Check out the Inazone 220 and 230s, ForPlays, XXXs, Zs and other new whitewater, touring, and recreational boats in the New Boat Barn.

We had a great turnout for the Perception/Sierra South Clinic. Perception's Woody Calloway answered paddler's questions about the new Amp, Ultra Clean, Method, Method Air and Stikine. The weather cooperated and everyone enjoyed paddling the boats. Sierra South had a chance to sit and chat with Woody. Here, mostly uncensored, are the highlights of the "Interview with Woody".

The March 1 Snow Course measurements have been completed for the Kern River basin. Looks like we're in great shape:

Num         Name                 Elev.  Date     Depth  Water   Density  April 1 Average
                                                       Content
                              Kern River Basin
250 Bighorn Plateau          11,350	25-FEB	 70.7	 18.7	26%	 21.9	 85%	
251 Cottonwood Pass          11,050	03-MAR	 38.6	 13.0	34%	 13.4	 97%	
252 Siberian Pass            10,900	22-FEB	 51.5	 13.6	26%	 18.3	 74%	
253 Crabtree Meadow          10,700	24-FEB	 67.3	 15.9	24%	 18.8	 85%	
254 Guyot Flat               10,650	28-FEB	 64.5	 17.5	27%	 20.0	 87%	
275 Sandy Meadows            10,650	26-FEB	 59.3	 15.6	26%	 18.3	 85%	
255 Tyndall Creek            10,650	26-FEB	 64.7	 17.8	28%	 18.3	 97%	
257 Big Whitney Meadow        9,750	02-MAR	 44.9	 13.3	30%	 16.6	 80%	
256 Rock Creek                9,600	23-FEB	 70.0	 15.9	23%	 17.2	 92%	
258 Round Meadow              9,000	26-FEB	 67.5	 19.5	29%	 24.9	 78%	
259 Ramshaw Meadows           8,700	01-MAR	 39.1	 10.8	28%	 11.3	 96%	
260 Little Whitney Meadow     8,500	29-FEB	 54.1	 14.4	27%	 13.5	107%	
264 Quinn Ranger Station      8,350	01-MAR	 74.6	 19.8	27%	 19.4	102%	
249 Dead Horse Meadow         7,300	04-MAR	 46.4	 16.3	35%	 11.3	144%	
                                                Basin Average Pct. of April 1:  94%
                                                                     March 1: 110%
                              

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info.

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

River Notes for Tuesday, March 7, 2000

Important information about River Notes.

We had a great turnout for the Perception/Sierra South Clinic on Saturday. Perception's Woody Calloway answered paddler's questions about the new Amp, Ultra Clean, Method, Method Air and Stikine. The weather cooperated and everyone enjoyed paddling the boats. Sierra South had a chance to sit and chat with Woody. Here, mostly uncensored, are the highlights of the "Interview with Woody".

Looks like the incoming storm will be happening sooner rather than later and will pack a one-two punch. Precipitation is expected to begin in earnest overnight and last into Thursday. Current HPC QPF forecasts show about 1.5 - 1.75 inch of precipitation in the Kern River basin.

Despite the ominous appearing storm out in the central Pacific, both U.S. and Canadian ensembles continue to support the notion of a northward shift of the storm track and to a more Spring-like pattern. Some weaker systems may still move through the Southern Sierra, but generally there should be more sun and less rain than in recent weeks. By the weekend of March 18th and 19th it could be downright warm.

That would be perfect timing, because our early bird Kayaking Classes start March 18. Call and ask us about our early bird prices!

Slalom boating is a great way to improve your kayaking skills. Rusty Sage (2nd in the 1999 World Freestyle Championships) has said that his early work on slalom helped make him a better play boater. The Kern River Alliance is hosting two four-day Gold Medal Kayaking Camps, March 11-14 and March 16-19. U.S. slalom team coach Bob Campbell, and U.S. team athletes will be instructors at the camp. For more information call Terry at 818-340-3083 or email KernRvr@ix.netcom.com.

Check out the ForPlays, XXXs, Zs and other new whitewater, touring, and recreational boats in the New Boat Barn.

The March 1 Snow Course measurements have been completed for the Kern River basin. Looks like we're in great shape:

Num         Name                 Elev.  Date     Depth  Water   Density  April 1 Average
                                                       Content
                              Kern River Basin
250 Bighorn Plateau          11,350	25-FEB	 70.7	 18.7	26%	 21.9	 85%	
251 Cottonwood Pass          11,050	03-MAR	 38.6	 13.0	34%	 13.4	 97%	
252 Siberian Pass            10,900	22-FEB	 51.5	 13.6	26%	 18.3	 74%	
253 Crabtree Meadow          10,700	24-FEB	 67.3	 15.9	24%	 18.8	 85%	
254 Guyot Flat               10,650	28-FEB	 64.5	 17.5	27%	 20.0	 87%	
275 Sandy Meadows            10,650	26-FEB	 59.3	 15.6	26%	 18.3	 85%	
255 Tyndall Creek            10,650	26-FEB	 64.7	 17.8	28%	 18.3	 97%	
257 Big Whitney Meadow        9,750	02-MAR	 44.9	 13.3	30%	 16.6	 80%	
256 Rock Creek                9,600	23-FEB	 70.0	 15.9	23%	 17.2	 92%	
258 Round Meadow              9,000	26-FEB	 67.5	 19.5	29%	 24.9	 78%	
259 Ramshaw Meadows           8,700	01-MAR	 39.1	 10.8	28%	 11.3	 96%	
260 Little Whitney Meadow     8,500	29-FEB	 54.1	 14.4	27%	 13.5	107%	
264 Quinn Ranger Station      8,350	01-MAR	 74.6	 19.8	27%	 19.4	102%	
249 Dead Horse Meadow         7,300	04-MAR	 46.4	 16.3	35%	 11.3	144%	
                                                Basin Average Pct. of April 1:  94%
                                                                     March 1: 110%
                              

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info.

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

River Notes for Monday, March 6, 2000

Important information about River Notes.

We had a great turnout for the Perception/Sierra South Clinic on Saturday. Perception's Woody Calloway answered paddler's questions about the new Amp, UltraClean, Method and Method Air. The weather cooperated and everyone got a chance to paddle the boats. We'll have more about Perception's new boats and outfitting system in future Rivernotes.

It's cold this morning! Remote sensors around the Kern River basin recorded temps ranging from 5 degrees at 10,300 ft., to 32 degrees at about 2800 ft. And the Southern Sierra has received more snow. Approximate 24 hr. precipitation totals... Kernville: 0.9, Chagoopa: 1.3, Casa Vieja: 0.6, Beach Meadows: 0.5.

With all the snow we have been having, some folks are starting to ask, "When will Spring begin?" Longer term ensemble forecasts are hinting that a shift to a more Spring-like pattern may start this weekend, but not before another shot of Winter hits the Sierra mid-week. If the long range forecasts verify, following the Wednesday system, the storm track should start to shift north. Some weaker systems may still move through the Southern Sierra, but generally there should be more sun and less rain than in recent weeks. By the weekend of March 18th and 19th it could be downright warm.

That would be perfect timing, because our early bird Kayaking Classes start March 18. Call and ask us about our early bird prices!

Slalom boating is a great way to improve your kayaking skills. Rusty Sage (2nd in the 1999 World Freestyle Championships) has said that his early work on slalom helped make him a better play boater. The Kern River Alliance is hosting two four-day Gold Medal Kayaking Camps, March 11-14 and March 16-19. U.S. slalom team coach Bob Campbell, and U.S. team athletes will be instructors at the camp. For more information call Terry at 818-340-3083 or email KernRvr@ix.netcom.com.

Check out the ForPlays, XXXs, Zs and other new whitewater, touring, and recreational boats in the New Boat Barn.

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info.

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

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