I was wading through the stream flow data for the Escalante, and the years that were runnable, like 2005, the peak flow was late May or early June, not April. My understanding is that in low snow years, the peak flow is generally earlier. But in years like 2007, there just is not enough water for anybody to run it. I used 50 cfs at the gauge as my limit for runability, which is what I have been told.
In 2005, the flow hit 50 cfs May 16, peaked June 3rd at 307 cfs, and stayed above 50 cfs until July 4th. That is a pretty long season, about 6 weeks. There was only one day in April above 50 cfs, the 24th, so the season did not include April at all.
In 2007, the peak flow was 13 cfs, April 29th. No season at all.
In 2001, the peak flow was 117 cfs May 19th, with cfs staying above 50 cfs from May 12 to June 1st, so about a two week season. The highest cfs in April was 12 cfs, so no opportunity to run it in April 2001.
1993 had kind of a double peak, one at 80 cfs April 8 and 9, with cfs staying above 50 cfs from April 1st to April 23, so a three week early season. The second season peaked at 159 cfs May 16th, with cfs staying above 50 cfs from May 15 to June 11th, so the second season was almost four weeks long.
My point is that peak cfs, on good years, is generally going to be mid-May or later, and that running it in April is a bit of a fluke.
Has anybody run it as early as April? If so, what year? How was the run?
Let me know if you think I am off base on my analysis of the Escalante season. I have yet to run it, but hope to do so this year. Unfortunately, the snowpack is 92% of normal, at least according to one site, so it is hardly a sure thing.
Richard
Quote:
Originally Posted by Justin S.
Hey just curious if anyone was or has check Escalante recently? I know it's more likely to run in April so no need to tell me I'm early. I know I am. I'm just hoping to hit it at a higher flow this year, than last tear. Just preparing. So if anyone has any current info, please let me know. Thanks.
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