“Normal” summertime flows are on the horizon…
Posted July 13, 2011 by Gregg Armstrong, Co-FounderHello everyone,
This is the week we have been waiting for in regard to getting back to normal flows. Rivers have moved away from high water and closer to “normal” water. They have clearly started down the path to the kind of flows we see every summer. It feels strange to say that and then look at the calendar and realize it is the middle of July!
It has been a wild spring and an even wilder first several weeks of summer. Rivers performed well in 2011 and anyone who has been on them has been thrilled and satisfied by what they have served up… big whitewater and lots of it!
The South Fork of the American is still flowing strong above 3000 CFS. The Middle Fork finally dropped below 2000 CFS and we began offering trips for the first time this year a few days ago. The Merced and Tuolumne are still acting as if it is early to mid-June and flowing higher than normal. The Kaweah is feeling the impact of warm weather and is getting closer to its 2011 life span which will end in a few weeks.
As I’ve mentioned before, after the snow has melted, gravity and ground water seepage take over. Rivers run well for several weeks as if melting snow was still feeding them. This is why we will still be able to run non-dam controlled rivers through the rest of July and even into August.
Check out the chart (right) for specific flow predictions.
Our updated
River Flows page also provides real-time details and information.
My advice is take advantage of unusual opportunities and get out there and experience California rivers while they are flowing so well!
Gregg Armstrong
Owner, All-Outdoors