How about a few pictures, thanks

 

I had heard there was dangerous debis/strainers in brown's. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks

 

Actually, Salidaboater, I guess your post already covers my question.

"the banks are just full of strainers if someone goes for a swim accidentally it is a dangerous place"

 

I have had a couple private messages asking about the Ark and what is happening. The Ark is flowing anywhere from 4200 to 5200 CFS depending where you look. For example below Big Bend it is pretty much out of the banks and flooding property.

Yes there are STRAINERS everywhere, as a result of the the river being so far up the banks. I saw places yesterday in Bighorn Sheep Canyon where for a 1/4 mile or so on one of the banks it would be impossible to get out if you were a swimmer. Lots of debris and huge logs and even big trees going down the river right now. Seidels is flipping half the boats going through there from what I witnessed.

People are flipping rafts in the play holes. Getting under bridges will start to be an issue. The Wellsville bridge was getting close yesterday.

So my advice is bring your A game and think of it as a serious river right now. Young kids and dogs should stay at home. The challenge I see is if you find yourself as a swimmer in the river it becomes serious. If you are a swimmer stay right in the middle of the river on your back feet down river and take your time and figure out which side is best to swim to if you can't stay with your boat. Realize it will take you much longer to swim to where you are headed so keep your eyes open. If you are dressed correctly and can stay warm so you can spend some time in the river to safely exit. The middle of the river is the safest place until you know you can exit.

I hope this helps and just be safe, helmets, PFD's strapped tight, throw ropes handy, whistles and good communication.

 

The Ark is flowing anywhere from 4200 to 5200 CFS depending where you look.

Dang, you got my hopes up! But I checked the numbers gage...

 

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

 

Thank you for the post. Sound advice. Stay safe out there friends.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the beta

 

Impact of the high water on FIBArk

Question for the Salida folks - I don't get out often anymore (getting old) but I was planning to come down to watch the FIBArk festivities. Is hte water high enough that the FIBArk events will be comprimised (ie- would the water be too high for hte Hooligan's race / will the play holes be washed out??)

 

Question for the Salida folks - I don't get out often anymore (getting old) but I was planning to come down to watch the FIBArk festivities. Is hte water high enough that the FIBArk events will be comprimised (ie- would the water be too high for hte Hooligan's race / will the play holes be washed out??)

Yeah that is a good question Vermont Refuge. I think with the recent accidents on the river that is going to be a hot topic for the Fibark board. They have a website FIBArk — America's Oldest & Boldest Whitewater Festival.

I ran from Stone bridge to Salida east yesterday @ 4300cfs and the bridge @ C.R. 166 had about 26"-30" clearance under the I beams. If we were in a oar rig we would had to nail the opening between the I beams for the oar towers...not to mention if you have a oarsman seat. In the paddle boat we still had to duck under that bridge.
Be safe out there everyone!

 

How will river look around July 4th?

 

What about Stone Bridge? We are planning on Brown's on Sunday, what level can you no longer go under Stone Bridge?

 

Wellsville bridge is also getting close. Depending on your rig you better scout it and be careful. I underestimated the waves once you get under and we had to duck way down. If I would of had a seat on my frame I would have been in trouble.

No you cannot portage 166 it is private property upstream of the bridge

Please be careful on the Ark right now.

 

The bridge at CR 166 is the low point on that stretch. Currently it's barely passable in a paddle raft and we would recommend scouting it from the bridge before you put in. An oar rig will be tricky so please use your own discretion. Portaging around it is not an easy proposition with fences and thick brush to overcome. Again, please consider scouting it first and above all be safe.

 

You cannot get under Stone Bridge at all.

 

The AHRA recommends portaging Stone Bridge at or above 3800 cfs based on the Nathrop gauge. It's showing 4000 right now. They have recently cut a trail on river right to provide this opportunity. Put in downstream of the bridge using one of the boat ramps. They will be posting an alert with maps in the next day or two on their website. Be safe.

 

The AHRA recommends portaging Stone Bridge at or above 3800 cfs based on the Nathrop gauge. It's showing 4000 right now.

So running a heavy oar rig from past Hecla to the Stone Bridge access is out of the question? And where is the CR 166 bridge in relation to Big Bend? Upstream or downstream?

Thanks,

-AH

 

AHRA posting some guidelines would be great. I'm surprised it's not on their website now, but I admit we haven't had this problem in years.

No substitute for scouting, but those of us on front range would love some guidelines so don't want to spend 5 hours (round trip) in the car to find we cannot get under a bridge.

 

Thanks Kurt. What about running a heavy rig that would be difficult to portage between Hecla and the Stone Bridge river access point?

 

Yes and No.
If you mean heavy with people...yes easy portage.
Heavy with camping gear no ( I wouldn't do it wait until the rio comes down to 3500cfs).
Portage is river right!

 

The stone bridge is just above the stone bridge river access, so based on what was said above, you will not be able to run an oar rig from Hecla without portaging.


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FIBark

As of now the Hooligan race has been cancelled, first time ever. Not sure what other river events will be changed. You can check the FIBArk website for more details. The music, food and carnival will be a big hit this year. The whitewater park in town is pretty much a wash.

 

Andy

The portage trail is very close to the bridge, we used to have throw baggers there to ensure we caught the eddy in 95, the year that trail was cut in.

I would not want to be in a heavy boat trying to catch that eddy let alone carrying it.


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Anyone got any info on getting under Fishermans Bridge at these levels? Seems like I had a tight fit in a rowing frame at levels a bit lower than currently. (pun intended)

Thanks

 

You can still get under it with an oar rig, but you have to hit the deck. Watched a half dozen rafts go under it Sunday. They cleared it, but would have smacked their heads.

 

After reading all the posts I thought I would chime in. A couple years back I ran from Stone Bridge to Salida east at 4300 cfs. I made the mistake of not checking the flows and thought it was at the level the day before around 3800. I run this section all the time as I live 10 minutes from Stone Bridge. I got my ass spanked. Barely made it under the 166 bridge as I lay on the deck I could here my oar locks scraping against the I beams and If I had been off a foot or two it would have been wrap city or worse. Got to the dam and it was just one big pourover the boat chutes merge into the dam flow. Also the downtown bridge we barely made it under. I almost flip twice and ejected my dog out once from a hole that is usually never there. So my advice is stay off the Ark till it comes down at least in these sections discussed. I do not want to read about you dying in my local paper!

 

Thanks for the info. I was already 90% out for running stone bridge to Rincon Saturday with my boys but you definitely sealed it. Sounds like what is normally a great family float turns into something quite different here. Not sure what would happen if my oar locks caught on the I-beams but the mental image sure isn't good.

Now just need to see if I can find an alternative run for Saturday suitable for an 11 year old - everything is running so high.

 

Here is my video from Saturday 4000CFS This was down to Hecla (didn't want to try stone bridge due to levels). We also ran it on June 6th and Zoom was bigger at 2700. Planning on going up Friday-Sunday this week and camping. How bad is camping around Buena Vista if I go up during the day on Friday due to Fibark in Salida?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RDytT8lU7Y

 

Remember with highwater and little kids there is more to consider than rapid ratings. They can't keep warm like an adult in the snowmelt water, their bodies don't make that much heat. The speed/power of the water will most likely overwhelm their self-rescue efforts as well as making your recovery difficult. Especially in an oar boat or paddle boat missing part of it's crew, you won't keep up with the swimmer.

Here's how we handle highwater at my raft company on Clear Creek, over 900cfs at Lawson. No beginner level rafting, nobody under 16 years old.

Be sure you are OK with your decision, if you turn out to be wrong.

 

Honestly i would stay away with the wife and kids right now. Lots of logs all over. my wife and I had a terrifying experience with a log this weekend after a flip during recover. luck to escape with only a dislocated shoulder. be safe out there folks, set good safety and be heads up.

 

.

 

USGS Current Conditions for USGS 07091200 ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR NATHROP, CO

Browns is now >10% higher then the previous max of 1995. It rained in much of chaffee and lake counties yesterday and overnight. Temps expected to rise with unobstructed sun through the weekend.

So watch for flows to max out over the next week.

It's on, watch yourselves out there where ever you go.

 

I'm curious about this. When looking at the current streamflow conditions it states that the max 1995 flow was 3930 but when you look at the table of peak flows USGS Surface Water for USA: Peak Streamflow it has it at 5540? I ran it very naively that year and nearly lost my wife in the fractions. Nonstop at these flows!