River Notes Archive

• Shop at the Sierra South River Store! • Check which New Kayaks are on Sale! • Browse New & Used Kayaks, Rafts & Gear! • Kayak Comparison Chart • 2008 Raft Guide School Info • 2008 Class Info • 2008 Event Calendar • Kern Festival 2008 Photos & Results • "Around the Kern" Resource Guide • Employment Information • News from the Past...

Updated 4/23/08 o This summer, when you watch the 2008 Beijing Olympics Canoe/Kayak coverage on NBC, you may very well recognize a member of the broadcast team -- 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Jacobi. Joe is the co-founder of Gold Medal Connections, which just completed its 11th annual Gold Medal Kayaking Camp on the Kern River. For more on the Beijing Olympics and Joe's "thoughts, ideas, and life lessons from the outdoors" check out his blog Gold Medal Living. Also see Joe's WRCB TV Olympic Zone Profile of Eric Jackson o From farmers to fishermen, from the feds to the Yurok nation, all sides spent the past two years hammering out a deal that hinges on the destruction of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River. If those four dams come down, it would be the largest dam removal in U.S. history. More. o The Roadless Areas Conservation Rule is an administrative rule adopted by the U.S. Forest Service in January 2001 to protect the last remaining wildlands in our national forest system. It places about one-third of the national forest system's total acreage off-limits to virtually all road building and logging. (More than half of our national forest land is already open to such activity.) This protection is the only way to spare roadless areas from the severe damage that roads and intense development like clearcut logging have done to other parts of our national forests. More. o You can always tell a canoeist or kayaker from Ohio, that’s because they have been required to register their craft, pay a fee, and place big numbers on the side of their boats ever since the Ohio legislature figured out a way to “cheat” on their federal taxes and get more money from the federal government. The Ohio legislature figured that if they required all canoes, kayaks, and rafts to be registered along with motorboats as recreational watercraft, then they would be eligible for more Wallop-Breaux and other federal transportation funding. More. o One of the most hotly debated topics on Earth is the issue of climate change, and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) data centers are central to answering some of the most pressing global change questions that remain unresolved. The National Climatic Data Center contains the instrumental records that can precisely define the nature of climatic fluctuations at time scales of a up to a century. Among the diverse kinds of data platforms whose data contribute to NCDC's armamentarium are: Ships, buoys, weather stations, balloons, satellites, and aircraft. 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 Thursday, May 29, 2008

Important information about River Notes.

High temps in the 80's are currently forecast for the Kernville-Lake Isabella area this weekend. It was cool over the Memorial Day weekend in the Kern Valley, but nowhere near as cold as say Mammoth Mountain, where 16.5 inches of snow was recorded from May 22 to May 26. The equivalent of about 8 to 10 inches of snow was recorded by snow sensors at the higher elevations of the Kern River basin.

The bulk of the remaining snow in the Kern River basin is above about 11,000 ft. When you look at the temperatures for Upper Tyndall Creek (11,400') over the past two weeks, you can see why the Upper Kern peaked on May 20th, and why the Upper Kern flow is likely to go back up as temperatures rebound.

The latest Snowmelt Forecast, issued by the California-Nevada River Forecast Center on May 28, forecasts a 50% chance the average inflow to Lake Isabella will exceed about 1950 cfs for the 5 day period centered on June 4. It forecasts a 90% chance the average inflow to Lake Isabella will exceed about 1400 cfs, and a 10% chance it will exceed 2500 cfs.

Flows are still very good on both the Upper & Lower Kern, this morning the Upper Kern is running about 1250 cfs, and the Lower Kern about 1200 cfs. Don't miss the best flows -- trips and classes start booking weeks in advance, so make your reservations early. Use our interactive Raft Trip Reservation form to compare the details of the rafting trips we offer!

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. Looking for more adrenalin? Try our new Upper Kern and Forks trips. Download our 2010 Rafting & Kayaking Adventures brochure (PDF) for more information!

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!

Check out all the new 2008 boats in the New Boat Barn: 2008 Jackson Hero, Star & Super Fun; Dagger Agent 6.0 & Agent 6.4; Wavesport Diesel 65 & Diesel 75; Liquid Logic Jefe, Jefe Chico, Jefe Grande, Remix 47 Kids, Remix 59, Remix 69, & Remix 79. Please call 800-376-7303 for the latest update.

As forecast by the California-Nevada River Forecast Center, the average 24 hour inflow to Lake Isabella peaked on Tuesday, May 20, at 3553 cfs. According to revised COE data the Kern River at Kernville peaked at 1:00 p.m. on May 20 with an average hourly flow of 4078 cfs.

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2008 season will mark our 23rd year on the Kern River!

We are always 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 typically 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!

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. (Note: The SCE Flow Phone is currently out of order, and it is not known when service will be restored.)

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

River Notes for Saturday, May 24, 2008

Important information about River Notes.

As forecast by the California-Nevada River Forecast Center, the average 24 hour inflow to Lake Isabella peaked on Tuesday, May 20, at 3553 cfs. According to revised COE data the Kern River at Kernville peaked at 1:00 p.m. on May 20 with an average hourly flow of 4078 cfs.

Flows remain excellent on both the Upper & Lower Kern, this morning the Upper Kern is running about 1950 cfs, and the Lower Kern about 950 cfs. Don't miss the best flows -- trips and classes start booking weeks in advance, so make your reservations early. Use our interactive Raft Trip Reservation form to compare the details of the rafting trips we offer!

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. Looking for more adrenalin? Try our new Upper Kern and Forks trips. Download our 2010 Rafting & Kayaking Adventures brochure (PDF) for more information!

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!

Check out all the new 2008 boats in the New Boat Barn: 2008 Jackson Hero, Star & Super Fun; Dagger Agent 6.0 & Agent 6.4; Wavesport Diesel 65 & Diesel 75; Liquid Logic Jefe, Jefe Chico, Jefe Grande, Remix 47 Kids, Remix 59, Remix 69, & Remix 79. Please call 800-376-7303 for the latest update.

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2008 season will mark our 23rd year on the Kern River!

We are always 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 typically 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!

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. (Note: The SCE Flow Phone is currently out of order, and it is not known when service will be restored.)

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

River Notes for Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Important information about River Notes.

California-Nevada River Forecast Center's latest Short Term Snowmelt Forecast, released May 14, now projects the 24 hr. average inflow to Lake Isabella will peak May 20 at about 3500 cfs. Note that this is an average for the day, and includes a small contribution from the S.F. Kern. The flow on the S.F. Kern is currently at about 210 cfs.

The updated Short Term Snowmelt Forecast also projects that the 5-day average daily inflow to Lake Isabella for the remainder of May will range from a 50% chance of exceeding 3000 cfs around May 16, to a 50% chance of exceeding 2100 cfs around May 31.

One of the tools used to make snowmelt projections is the AHPS Ensemble Streamflow Prediction program. Here's a AHPS/ESP plot of the projected Lake Isabella average daily inflow for the period May 14 to July 14, 2008.

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. Looking for more adrenalin? Try our new Upper Kern and Forks trips. Download our 2010 Rafting & Kayaking Adventures brochure (PDF) for more information! Trips and classes start booking weeks in advance, so make your reservations early. Use our interactive Raft Trip Reservation form to compare the details of the rafting trips we offer!

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!

The "TJ" in the Kern Festival's TJ Slalom is Tom Johnson. Tom and the Haystackers paddling club started the Kernville whitewater races in April of 1965. Among other firsts, Tom is credited with making the first fiberglass canoe in 1942, a fiberglass version of the Malia outrigger canoe in 1959, and the first rotomolded plastic kayak, the "River Chaser," in 1974. Tom won National championships in whitewater K-1 in 1967, OC-2 Slalom in 1976, and C-2 Masters Slalom in 1980. Over a three week period in Spring of 1972 he arranged with the Corp of Engineers and other agencies to create a paddling site at Riverside Park -- the first whitewater park in the U.S.

Check out all the new 2008 boats in the New Boat Barn: 2008 Jackson Hero, Star & Super Fun; Dagger Agent 6.0 & Agent 6.4; Wavesport Diesel 65 & Diesel 75; Liquid Logic Jefe, Jefe Chico, Jefe Grande, Remix 47 Kids, Remix 59, Remix 69, & Remix 79. Please call 800-376-7303 for the latest update.

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2008 season will mark our 23rd year on the Kern River!

We are always 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 typically 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!

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. (Note: The SCE Flow Phone is currently out of order and according to SCE, will not be serviced until April 21. According to SCE, the diversion at Fairview is expected to remain at 300 cfs for the remainder of April.)

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

River Notes for Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Important information about River Notes.

California-Nevada River Forecast Center's latest Short Term Snowmelt Forecast was released today. The forecast projects the 24 hr. average inflow to Lake Isabella will peak May 29 at about 3000 cfs. Note that this is an average for the day, and includes a small contribution from the S.F. Kern. The flow on the S.F. Kern is currently at about 250 cfs.

The Short Term Snowmelt Forecast also projects that the 5-day average daily inflow to Lake Isabella will be about the same level for much of the month of May. According to the Kern chart there is 90% chance the 5-day average daily inflow to Isabella will exceed 1500 cfs, a 50% chance it will exceed 2250 cfs, and a 10% chance it will exceed 2900 cfs.

One of the tools used to make snowmelt projections is the AHPS Ensemble Streamflow Prediction program. Here's a AHPS/ESP plot of the projected Lake Isabella average daily inflow for the period May 5 to July 7, 2008.

The "TJ" in the Kern Festival's TJ Slalom is Tom Johnson. Tom and the Haystackers paddling club started the Kernville whitewater races in April of 1965. Among other firsts, Tom is credited with making the first fiberglass canoe in 1942, a fiberglass version of the Malia outrigger canoe in 1959, and the first rotomolded plastic kayak, the "River Chaser," in 1974. Tom won National championships in whitewater K-1 in 1967, OC-2 Slalom in 1976, and C-2 Masters Slalom in 1980. Over a three week period in Spring of 1972 he arranged with the Corp of Engineers and other agencies to create a paddling site at Riverside Park -- the first whitewater park in the U.S.

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. Looking for more adrenalin? Try our new Upper Kern and Forks trips. Download our 2010 Rafting & Kayaking Adventures brochure (PDF) for more information! Trips and classes start booking weeks in advance, so make your reservations early. Use our interactive Raft Trip Reservation form to compare the details of the rafting trips we offer!

Check out all the new 2008 boats in the New Boat Barn: 2008 Jackson Hero, Star & Super Fun; Dagger Agent 6.0 & Agent 6.4; Wavesport Diesel 65 & Diesel 75; Liquid Logic Jefe, Jefe Chico, Jefe Grande, Remix 47 Kids, Remix 59, Remix 69, & Remix 79. Please call 800-376-7303 for the latest update.

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!

Many of our new and used 2007 boats remain on sale -- All Star's, Hero's, Rocker's & Tripper's; Wavesport Project's, Habitat's and more!

Sierra South has been running raft trips, and teaching kayaking classes on the Kern River since 1985. The 2008 season will mark our 23rd year on the Kern River!

We are always 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 typically 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!

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. (Note: The SCE Flow Phone is currently out of order and according to SCE, will not be serviced until April 21. According to SCE, the diversion at Fairview is expected to remain at 300 cfs for the remainder of April.)

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

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