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Main salmon 8/6-8/13

2939 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  cataraftgirl
Got an invite for a late season trip down the main. My question is, and I know may be hard to answer, will there be water and is it worth a drive from colorado?

Current flow is 7500 and has dropped 5000 in the last 10 days. With putting on 10 days from now and the current graph pattern, it could be as low as 2500? Not looking for a ton of excitement, but would love to be able to float it and not be dragging the 16' foot cat off rocks for 6 days.

Any info is welcomed.
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Are you referring to whitebird gage? If so it will start to flatten out around 5000ish and rarely gets below 3000. I think the lowest I've been on is 2900 back in the 90's. So, yes there will be plenty of water. Shade is a different issue. It will be hot and the paddle out below mackay bar is a long one. You wont be dragging your cat out. It has good deep channels.
Did it last year last week of August. Was told lowest level ever recorded. Don't know if that is true? Plenty of water, you should have no problems.
Did it last year last week of August. Was told lowest level ever recorded. Don't know if that is true? Plenty of water, you should have no problems.
I just took a look at last year august flows and you might be right. I've never seen with my own eyes it that low! ;)
Thx for the info.
I like low water. Perfect for swimming and jet boat traffic stops below a certain level. I never thought "lake salmon" was that bad. Maybe it's because the scenery and camps are so fine. Yellow jackets have been an issue. I would want a screened cook tent. Shade umbrella is nice to have.
The Main Salmon is never too low to raft. August is prime time. Enjoy.
2k had plenty of water. Here is my video @2k two years ago in September:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dZZQOakgPI&hd=1
Is that 2k at Corn Creek??
This was my first time down Main, that is what my friend told me it was and yes at Corn Creek
This was my first time down Main, that is what my friend told me it was and yes at Corn Creek
Nice video!
Went last year on Labor Day. 1900 cfs. negative feet on the ramp. Plenty of water



Sent from my iPhone using Mountain Buzz
My lowest trip was late Aug.-early Sept. in 2005 at minus 2.5 feet. No problem.
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