Arkansas levels in late June

[ridinshockgun]

I'll be out there, and there is a chance I'll only be able to take one boat.

What are the levels usually like in a year like this year (average snowpack)? I want to bring the playboat but some people are telling me I'll have to skip the numbers section if I do. But it looks like its a section you'd want a playboat on.

I figure I'd rather swim a time or two than be stuck in a creek boat (even if it is a SCUD) on big water all week.

Opinions?

[RootSkier]

The Numbers is a playboat run for most people.

[FrankZappa]

If you can get here during FIBArk (6/13-6/17) supposedly they are going to turn the big fawcet on for certain "called" flows.

BTW - after that dismal March and lack of snowfall (usually the wettest month) I'd suspect snowpack to come up short.

[/cold & wet & NOT windy spring dance]

[ridinshockgun]

It will be the last week in June.

As of March 26, per NWS the snowpack in the Ark. basin is 97% of average.

[FrankZappa]

I think a lot of that average is out of wack due to those HUDGE blizzards back mid winter in the southern end of the basin - Purg. river coming out of Trinidad area. But there is "fairly" decent pack above the numbers - the mid section seems thin to me. Flows on the upper end of the little river have been lame the last couple weeks - not enough for me to get my ditch running which I usually can get at least 10 cfs out of by mid March.

Time and weather will tell.

$.02

[Yonder_River]

As long as you feel comfortable running solid IV in your playboat, definitely bring it. You can run everything on that river (portaging Pine Creek...or not) with one.

[Storm11]

You should be fine in late June with a playboat. The only sections I would be a little wary of (if you're a strong boater) are Pine Creek and maybe Sunshine in the Royal Gorge but as long as it's between 800 and 1500 you should be fine but if it's down below 600, I'd be wary of Sunshine.

And Frank, aren't they doing some work to the dam? I figured thats why the flows haven't been coming up at all.

[Harv]

FZ is right about the snowpack. It is skewed with the snow in the Sangres which does not really help flows on the Upper Ark. Still unless we have a completely dry April we will be around average or slightly below. End of June can be high but lately we have had early peaks and have seen lower flows in late june. The work on Clear Creek Reservoir may have some effect on sustaining flows but will not likely add a lot to the peak. Definitely bring a playboat you will, on the whole, be much happier on the Ark in a playboat. We have killer park and play in BV and Salida. If you feel like you need a creek boat or something to paddle the Numbers go to CKS and demo one. But if you are paddling a playboat through the park in Charlotte you will likely be fine in late June in the Numbers in a playboat.

And Frank, aren't they doing some work to the dam? I figured thats why the flows haven't been coming up at all.

flows never come up much in late March early April. We have almost no low elevation snow in the watershed and until nighttime temps get over freezing the runoff won't get going in earnest. Unlike Steamboat or Durango where you will see earlier runoff.

FZ, rancher? I am starting to get an idea where you may lurk. We should try to bump into each other one of these days.

[ridinshockgun]

Thanks for all the info, especially the water level and snowpack beta.

What got me concerned was that someone said it was similar to the Cheoah, which most people run in a creeker.

FBut if you are paddling a playboat through the park in Charlotte you will likely be fine in late June in the Numbers in a playboat.

You're right, although there aren't any "keepers" there.

[Mybad!]

The Numbers is a playboat run for most people.

True true. I ran a old G-Force 6.1 down the numbers at 2200cfs. Rent a creek boat if you need one bring your play boat.

[FrankZappa]

Most often the reports are issued near the begining of the month - so the one noted above is actually almost a month old and doesn't take March into account.

For up to the minute snowpack, keep an eye on these for the next couple months.
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/reports...eport=Colorado

Upper Ark specific = BRUMLEY and FREMONT PASS (Also PORPHYRY CREEK for Monarch Pass)

also for maps of locations of SNOTEL station locations see
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/maps/sntmapco.html

Actually... not looking as bad as I thought it would, but still below average a lil.


Edit to add:

And Frank, aren't they doing some work to the dam? I figured thats why the flows haven't been coming up at all.

Looks like Colo Spgs and Aurora are moving Clear Cr res over the top into the platte for drainage/transfer - prolly to 11 mile and Antero res. Pulling what looks (if I get it right) close to 300 cfs out at Otero pump station. Lake is droping fast and Homestake is way over normal - So for now Numbers would be above normal.

Ref: http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWa...?div=2&dist=11

[RootSkier]

What got me concerned was that someone said it was similar to the Cheoah, which most people run in a creeker.

Probably the same people who absolutely insist that the Gauley is class V.

[ridinshockgun]

..............................

[ridinshockgun]

2150 right now. If that holds until next week it'll be a little higher than I was expecting, especially from the snowpack data Ive been looking at the past month..........sounds like fun.

Looks like Pine Creek is definitely out at that level.

I just don't want to have to wear a drytop again Can't really complain though, we have no water here.

[Yonder_River]

No drytop eh?

Unless your pp'n at BV/Salida, I would advise a drytop on all sections of the Ark unless it's a 110 in the shade, no clouds, and you don't get hit by any of that annoying water stuff.