River Notes Archive

River Notes for Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Important information about River Notes.

The U.S. Olympic Canoe & Kayak Team grew from two to six members with the qualification of a C2, a C1 and an additional K1 boat at the Athens World Cup this last weekend. Held at the Olympic slalom site, the World Cup was also the last of three races that determined which athletes would be on the Olympic team. Kernville paddler Rebecca Giddens will represent the U.S. in the Women's K1 kayaking competition. To see how Rebecca trains see "Olympian Trains In San Diego For ... Whitewater Kayaking?" on the NBC 7/39 (San Diego) web site. Don't miss the streaming video in the story!

Thinking about learning to kayak? Many find that the most effective way to learn is a multi-day progression, building skill and technique in easy steps. Our 5-day Total Kayaking Immersion course gives you plenty of time to develop and master each skill before moving on to the next exciting challenge. We offer the course in May, June and July. To sign up for the May 3-7 course, call 1-800-457-2082. Spend a week on the River!

Many thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, participants and spectators of the 40th Kern River Festival. Results and photos are now available on-line. Today's RiverPhoto is of Sierra South instructor Andrew Bell, paddling his C1 to a first place in his class, with one of the faster times in the slalom. Andrew also competed in the Pro Freestyle event.

Warmer temperatures have pushed the flow on the Upper Kern at Kernville to over 1100 cfs today. Somewhat cooler temps are expected tomorrow, but the highs should be back in the eighties this weekend. The Lower Kern at Borel is reported at at about 960 cfs. Paddlers report that some water is now being diverted at Fairview. No report is available regarding the diversion at Democrat, and the SCE flow phone does not appear to be operational at this time.

04/30/04 The SCE flow phone, 1-877-537-6356, appears to be operational again. Reported data includes the flow above and below Fairview Dam, the flow below Democrat, and COE flow data for the Kern at Kernville, below Lake Isabella, and below Borel. According to the reported flows at about 2:40 P.M. today, only 40 cfs was being diverted at Fairview Dam.

To say this has been an unusual snow year would be an understatement. March 1 Snow Course measurements put the Kern River snowpack at 108% of normal for the date and 96% of the normal April 1 seasonal total. One month later the snowpack was measured at 60% of normal. What happened? The snowmelt started about three weeks early!. Referring to the Southern Section Regional Snowplot for April 28, on average, the snowpack starts to diminish around April 1. This year the pack began to lose water content around March 5.

The early start of the runoff will likely result in an earlier peak. The Snowmelt Forecast issued today, April 28, projects the peak one day average inflow to Lake Isabella of about 1750 cfs will occur on (or around) May 11. How long will the runoff last? Assuming seasonable temperatures, the AHPS Kern Isabella inflow simulation based on conditions as of 4/27/04 projects that in the 5-day period 6/12 to 6/16 there's a 50% chance the average flow will be above 1000 cfs, 25% chance it will be above 1350 cfs, and a 10% chance it will be above about 1475 cfs. In the 5-day period 7/2 to 7/6 there's a 50% chance that the average flow will be above 700 cfs, 25% chance it will be above 800 cfs, and a 10% chance it will be above about 900 cfs. Unusually warm or cool weather would alter these projections. We'll see!

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info. (SCE reports that flow phone data is updated twice daily. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821.)

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

River Notes for Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Important information about River Notes.

The playspot above Ewing's rapid was in, and so were aerial moves at the 40th Kern River Kayak & Raft Festival Freestyle competition. It's the first time the competition has been held at this spot, and paddlers were able to do Loops, Space Godzillas, Air Wheels and other difficult moves.

Not only was the freestyle venue new, but a revised and simplified scoring system was used. Rather than rewarding a competitor for repeating a move, such as a right cartwheel, to the point of dizziness; the new system emphasizes variety and difficulty. The top scoring competitors from the Prelims go on to the Finals and compete in elimination rounds, leading to an exciting face off between the top two paddlers. Consistently do more types of moves, with the highest degree of difficulty, and you win.

That's exactly what Men's Pro division winner Jay Kincaid did in his Dagger Kingpin, defeating Eric Jackson of Jackson Kayaks in the final go. Sierra South's very own Paul Armes, in a Liquid Logic Space Cadet, got the biggest air of all the competitors, consistently sticking Loops, Air Loops and Space Godzillas, and winning the Men's Expert class. Tracy Brabant paddled her Wave Sport ZG to a win in theWomen's class.

In the T.J. Slalom, Eric Jackson just edged Tom Wilkening for the win in the Men's Expert Elite class. Nearly as fast as Eric and Tom was kayak polo player Rob Logan, who won the Men's Expert division. French slalom paddler Isabelle Verguin placed first in the Women's Expert Elite class, and another kayak polo player, Katherine Macey, won the Women's Expert class. All the results are now availableon the Festival Results page of the Kern Valley River Council web site. 29 - The Eyewitness News Station in Bakersfield did a story on the slalom that can be viewed in streaming video. See Kernville Hosts White-Water Competition for the 40th Annual Kern River Festival.

The TJ Slalom was the first slalom in the 2004 Sierra Cup Series, and the Freestyle Rodeo was the second event of the 2004 West Coast Freestyle Championship. Both series continue at the American River Festival, this Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25.

Snow at the higher elevations and cooler weather has reduced the flow on the Upper Kern to more seasonable levels. The Spring thaw occurred early this year, decreasing the snowpack from near normal on March 1, to below normal on April 1. The AHPS Kern Isabella inflow simulation based on conditions as of 4/16/04 forecasts a peak 5-day mean flow for the period May 21-25. The Snowmelt Forecast issued April 14, 2004 forecasts a peak 1-day inflow to Lake Isabella of about 2500 cfs around May 16. Note that this an average inflow over a 24 hour period.

The COE reports the Upper Kern at Kernville at about 800 cfs today, and the Lower Kern at Borel is reported at at about 780 cfs. Paddlers report that some water is now being diverted at Fairview. No report is available regarding the diversion at Democrat, and the SCE flow phone does not appear to be operational at this time.

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info. (SCE reports that flow phone data is updated twice daily. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821.)

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

River Notes for Tuesday, April 6, 2004

Important information about River Notes.

Make your plans now for the 40th Kern River Kayak & Raft Festival, April 16-18. There will be kayak demos and other activities the week of April 12-18. This year's events include the TJ Slalom Classic, Freestyle Rodeo, Powerhouse Downriver Race, head-to-head Raft Races through Ewing's Rapid, and Freestyle & Slalom Clinics! For more information and see the Kern Valley River Council web site. This TJ Slalom is the first slalom in the 2004 Sierra Cup Series, and the Freestyle Rodeo is the second event of the 2004 West Coast Freestyle Championship.

Come out and Play on the Kern with Team D! The concept is simple: show up on and have fun. Team D will be at Sierra South on Saturday, April 10, at 11:00 am to paddle with you for the day in a laid-back atmosphere. You'll learn. You'll laugh. You'll hang out. And it costs you zero. It’s just Dagger & Sierra South’s way of saying “Thanks.” It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or a seasoned paddler, these clinics have something for everyone. Come have some fun for free on us! Dagger demo boats will be available, but bring your own boat just in case. To get the most out of this clinic you need to be comfortable paddling Class III whitewater. You will also need to sign Dagger & Sierra South release forms to participate. Space is limited to 20 people, so call 800-376-7303, or contact us to reserve your space.

Lotus Designs, Water Girl and Sierra South want to help YOU be a better boater. On Sunday, April 18, 2004 at the Kernville Festival. Join us for two free playboating clinics. World Champions Jay Kincaid and Eric Jackson will be teaching the men’s playboating clinic. Pro-Diva’s Lisa Beckstead, Courtney Lynch, and California’s own Jamie Cooper will be teaching the women’s only clinic. Registration is limited to the first 20 women and 20 men, so sign-up early! To register please contact Judy at Sierra South, or call 800-376-7303.

Check out the flow and the flow forecast! The COE reports the Upper Kern at Kernville at over 1000 cfs today, and the Lower Kern at Borel is reported at 897 cfs. Paddlers report that some water is now being diverted at Fairview. No report is available regarding the diversion at Democrat, and the SCE flow phone does not appear to be operational at this time.

Here is a snapshot of today's flow and reservoir data. Click on "Current" to get the latest info. (SCE reports that flow phone data is updated twice daily. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821.)

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

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