canoe west home | canoeing instructors | Klamath River guidebook
canoe west home | canoeing instructors | Klamath River guidebook |
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Water Levels On The Middle Klamath |
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Iron Gate water release as the principal indicator of water levels on the various runs.
This flow is measured in cubic feet per second - or cfs. In a normal rain fall year there
are mandated releases for certain months: June, 1,000 cfs ; July, 750 cfs; August, 1,000
cfs, and September, 1,300 cfs. These water releases are for the convenience of the Salmon
and Steelhead, not you boaters. Naturally, the further you get from the dam, the less meaningful the dam releases are as a true indicator of river flow, especially if the side streams are active. Tributary contribution to flow are especially noticeable in the spring. For instances, if you are boating below the Scott River while that river is in flood stage, the Iron Gate release may be of little importance. We have canoed the Wild and Scenic Klamath River at a 550 cfs dam release with little side flow, and we have canoed at 12,000 cfs dam release with considerable side flow. It's fun at both these levels and everything in-between, but be prepared for dramatic changes in rapids as the flow varies. I don't advise canoeing any river at high flows unless you are very familiar with that particular river. Often there is little or no opportunity to scout an upcoming rapid because the world is coming at you so fast, and there are few good eddies. There may also be new obstacles as a result of the high water. Flows may also be indicated by gauges or markers placed along the river. Sometimes these are official type things placed by the U.S. Forest Service or the Department of Fish and Game. Sometimes they are simply marks on rocks or trees placed there by individuals, but which, nevertheless, have meaning if you know how to read them. Over time, you learn the correlation between the gauge reading and the nature of the run. For instance, if the gauge reads three feet, you know from experience that the run is within your skill range. If the gauge reads 4.5 feet, you go boat someplace else. Neil Rucker, head instructor for Canoe West |
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