(Links and other information are historical in nature and may no
longer be correct. Products referenced in the archives may no longer
be available. References to products on sale do not apply.) |
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 Hurricane Katrina’s tragic impacts were greatly worsened by our efforts to "control" rivers and fill wetlands. The Mississippi’s hundreds of large dams and thousands of miles of levees have almost eliminated flows of sediment needed to replenish coastal wetlands, making Louisiana – which has lost 1.2 million acres of coastal lands since the 1930s – much more vulnerable to storm surges. Damage from floods in the U.S. – and around the world – has gone up dramatically over the past six decades despite huge investments in flood–control infrastructure. Global warming is likely to worsen the situation by raising sea levels and increasing the frequency and intensity of severe storms. More. o Twice over the last 10 years, the federal government has released massive floods into the Grand Canyon. The floods were intended to restore sandbars, or beaches that have been disappearing since the Colorado River was dammed in the 1960s. Now, scientists are trying to figure out if the effort was worth it. More from NPR . 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 |
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Important information about River Notes.
Update Friday, 12/30/05 8:00 A.M. Long fetch of 150+ kt. upper winds over the Pacific have pushed up the timing on the strong storm systems expected to produce epic amounts of precipitation in the Sierra. This morning's 12z NAM computer model shows precipitation from the first system moving into the Southern Sierra this morning and continuing into Sunday morning; then a break of a few hours, followed by the second system Sunday afternoon into Monday. Given the intensity of the systems, the forecasted break may be ill-defined. All in all the 12z NAM generates over 8 inches (water equivalent) of precipitation in the Sierra at the latitude of Junction Meadow through Monday afternoon. The CNRFC forecasts the snow level in the Kern basin for the first storm to start out at about 9500 ft. Lower thickness values forecast for the second system should result in somewhat lower snow levels. We'll see!
Storm system currently moving through California is just a precursor to what could be a major rain event for much of California. This morning's 5-day precipitation forecast from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) indicates maximum precipitation totals exceeding 13 inches (water equivalent) in the Central Sierra Nevada through early Monday morning!
Relatively speaking, today's system isn't expected to produce much snow in the Southern Sierra, with "only" about 0.4 inch water equivalent forecast for the Kern River basin. Snow levels were forecast to start out near 10,000 ft. and then drop to about 8000 ft during the day. Thursday, partly cloudy conditions are expected, and then all eyes turn to the West as a long fetch of Pacific moisture and energy take aim at California.
At the moment, the computer models are forecasting two periods of precipitation for the Southern Sierra. One Friday afternoon into Saturday, and another Monday afternoon into Tuesday. The GFS model, which tends to understate Sierra precipitation, is forecasting over 4 inches of precipitation at the northern end of the Kern River basin through Tuesday morning. The NAM model produces nearly 4 inches from the first system alone. Given the high speed zonal flow across the Pacific, and the jet energy involved, timing of the systems and the areas of heaviest precipitation may change from the current forecast.
Snow levels are forecast to start out high with each system, and significant run-off could result. Recent storms have bumped flows on the Upper Kern up temporarily above 600 cfs, but the next two systems have the potential for higher flows -- perhaps much higher. A possible side effect of increased flows on the Upper would be increased releases to the Lower Kern, as the watermaster manages reservoir space for the upcoming Spring. We'll see!
If Santa missed something on your Wish List, or you're spending too much money on duct tape and need to retire your worn out boating gear, check the sale items and Holiday goodies in the Sierra South River Store. Don't miss out, sale prices are limited to stock on hand!
Over the 2004-2005 paddling season the highest reported hourly flow and stage for the Kern at Kernville was 8211 cfs at 10.05 ft. on Friday, May 27 at 1:00 P.M. The highest reported average daily flow for the Kern at Kernville was 7280 cfs on Saturday, May 28. The highest reported average daily inflow to Lake Isabella was 7077 cfs on Friday, May 27. The USGS gage on the South Fork near Onyx, recorded a peak flow of 1,710 cfs on the afternoon of May 17th. Around Christmas of last year Lake Isabella bottomed out at about 93,000 acre-feet, and with the big run-off swelled to a max of 538,667 acre-feet.
Retire that bleached out PFD, worn down paddle, and behemoth kayak and get into something new! Why not advertise your current boat for sale on our web site in our consignment Used Boat Barn? Call us at 800-376-7303 for more info! Looking for a boat? Check out the recreational. touring and whitewater kayaks (and rafts) in our Boat Barns.
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.
Upper Kern |
Lower Kern |
||||||||
| Above Fairview* | Below Fairview* | At Kernville | Lake Isabella | Below Democrat Dam* | |||||
| Date & Time | Flow (cfs) | Flow (cfs) | Stage | Flow (cfs) | Total Outflow | to River | to Borel Canal | Storage (acre-feet) |
Flow (cfs) |
| 28DEC2005 1200 | -- | -- | 5.14 | 415 | 551 | 20 | 531 | 246100 | 588 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '06 | WY '05 | WY '04 | WY '03 | WY '02 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Zones | CNN | Washington Post | Satellite | Radar | Kernville RAWS | RAWS Archive | |
| *Flow values from SCE Flow Phone. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. According to SCE the flow 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.
Important information about River Notes.
Update Monday, 12/19/05 10:00 A.M. The storm over the weekend produced some good snowfall totals in the Southern Sierra! Today's California Cooperative Snow Surveys Daily Regional Snowpack Summary is reporting the southern section of the Sierra at 117% of normal for the date. Here are some Kern basin snow sensor precipitation totals (inches water equivalent): Crabtree Meadow 1.32", Chagoopa Plateau 2.03", Casa Vieja 2.80". The Kernville RAWS recorded 0.52" of rain and the Johnsondale RAWS 0.69". Lower elevation rain has pushed the flow on the Upper Kern up to about 700 cfs. At 11:00 this morning the SCE flow phone reported 670 cfs at Borel, and 706 cfs below Democrat Dam..
Looks like the increase in the flow on the Lower is for real! This morning at 9:00 A.M. the COE is reporting 670 cfs at Borel and SCE is reporting 700 cfs below Democrat Dam. Although on the low side, both Miracle to Democrat and the Kern Below Democrat (without the diversion) are paddled by experienced kayakers at these flows.
Sunday into Monday, a Pacific system is forecast to crash directly into a high amplitude blocking ridge over the west. It kind of like a water balloon hitting a wall -- it's hard to say just where the splashes will go. Today's runs of the supercomputer weather models have been trending toward a wetter forecast. Hopefully the system will be energetic enough to displace the surface and upper highs and produce an inch or so (SWE) of precipitation in the Southern Sierra. We'll see!
Mountain snows and blustery Winter weather have us excited about the Holidays. Need some gift ideas for your friends and family? The Sierra South River Store is loaded with Holiday goodies and sale items. Select 3-day Air shipping and order by 1:00 P.M. PST on Monday, December 19, for delivery before Christmas. Don't know what to get? You can't go wrong with a Sierra South Gift Certificate. A gift certificate makes a great last minute gift and can be ordered for email delivery until 1:00 P.M. PST on Friday, December 23rd.
Snow sensors at the higher elevations of the Kern River basin are reporting snow water equivalents ranging from about 3 inches at Tunnel Guard Station to over 6 inches at Chagoopa Plateau. This equates to about 20% of the average seasonal snowpack. The latest Regional Snowpack Summary, issued December 14th, shows the South Section of the Sierra at about 86% of normal for the date. This NRL Aqua-MODIS satellite image from yesterday shows the Kern River basin from Lake Isabella (bottom) to the Kings-Kern Divide (top). Here's another overview of the 1000 square mile N.F. Kern drainage area with a few of the features labeled.
Over the 2004-2005 paddling season the highest reported hourly flow and stage for the Kern at Kernville was 8211 cfs at 10.05 ft. on Friday, May 27 at 1:00 P.M. The highest reported average daily flow for the Kern at Kernville was 7280 cfs on Saturday, May 28. The highest reported average daily inflow to Lake Isabella was 7077 cfs on Friday, May 27. The USGS gage on the South Fork near Onyx, recorded a peak flow of 1,710 cfs on the afternoon of May 17th. Around Christmas of last year Lake Isabella bottomed out at about 93,000 acre-feet, and with the big run-off swelled to a max of 538,667 acre-feet.
SSTs are now below normal in the Nino 1+2, Niño 3, and Nino 3.4 regions of the equatorial Pacific. Most assessments describe the overall ENSO state as neutral, with neither an El Niño or La Niña prevailing. In an ENSO analysis and outlook released November 16, 2005, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) projected that, "Based on the latest observations and forecasts, it is virtually certain that neutral conditions will prevail over the Nov-Dec-Jan 2005-2006 season." However, some other research suggests that a weak to moderate La Nina this Winter is not out of the question.
Hey, did you see the shot of Sierra South in the July/August 2005 issue of Paddler? That's the Sierra South Kernville store at the top of the Road Trip: Paddler to the People article!
Retire that bleached out PFD, worn down paddle, and behemoth kayak and get into something new! Why not advertise your current boat for sale on our web site in our consignment Used Boat Barn? Call us at 800-376-7303 for more info! Looking for a boat? Check out the recreational. touring and whitewater kayaks (and rafts) in our Boat Barns.
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.
Upper Kern |
Lower Kern |
||||||||
| Above Fairview* | Below Fairview* | At Kernville | Lake Isabella | Below Democrat Dam* | |||||
| Date & Time | Flow (cfs) | Flow (cfs) | Stage | Flow (cfs) | Total Outflow | to River | to Borel Canal | Storage (acre-feet) |
Flow (cfs) |
| 17DEC2005 0900 | -- | -- | 4.65 | 252 | 670 | 114 | 556 | 246775 | 700 |
| Kern Flow Info | Current | 5 Day Plot | 10 Day Plot | Month | WY '06 | WY '05 | WY '04 | WY '03 | WY '02 |
| Weather | NWS | NWS Zones | CNN | Washington Post | Satellite | Radar | Kernville RAWS | RAWS Archive | |
| *Flow values from SCE Flow Phone. For current information call 877-537-6356 or 760-376-8821. According to SCE the flow 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.
