Friday, March 30, 2007
South Fork American - California
Flows will be impacted this year due to a less than normal precipitation this past winter. Due to SMUD's generous and cooperative management of the resources at the reservoirs, agreements were reached to provide normal flows through the duration of the season from now until September. There will be some limitations and these limitations were agreed upon by various organizations in anticipation of drier years.
Flows on Mondays in July and August will be designated dry days while the flows on Wednesdays will be dry during the May and June calendar. Most California rafting outfitters discount heavily during the week so some outfitters may be impacted based on their promotions. Most will shift their incentives to avoid these dates to accommodate the public on their river trips.
The South Fork American along with the Middle Fork American may be the best rivers to raft this summer season in California. With the flow agreements, paddlers can at least count on the contracted flows on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays.
Flows on Mondays in July and August will be designated dry days while the flows on Wednesdays will be dry during the May and June calendar. Most California rafting outfitters discount heavily during the week so some outfitters may be impacted based on their promotions. Most will shift their incentives to avoid these dates to accommodate the public on their river trips.
The South Fork American along with the Middle Fork American may be the best rivers to raft this summer season in California. With the flow agreements, paddlers can at least count on the contracted flows on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays.
Labels: american river, california, flows, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, trips, white water
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Colorado Rafting Trips
The US Forest Service is currently reviewing rafting operations on a proposed run on Tenmile Creek. A two-mile trip from Officers Gulch to Dillon Reservoir. Rafters are excited about offering this trip to the paddling public. The whitewater stretch needs Forest Service approval for this new section. The Forest Service has said that the run would be approved with a temporary permit that would provide limited operations.
Details are being worked out for the exact launch site and a final decision should come by May 1st. According to outfitters that operate on the Blue River trips, the whitewater section will be a fun adventure for the local community as the Lower Blue and popular Arkansas is a bit of a drive away.
US Forest Service is streamlining the permit process by proposing a 10-year permit system instead of a yearly one. This will provide time saving and cost cutting measures for the agency while still providing environmental review.
Contact Cam Meyer, the special use administrator for Dillon District at 970-262-3486.
Public comments are due by April 16, 2007
Thanks to the Summit Daily for this info post!
Details are being worked out for the exact launch site and a final decision should come by May 1st. According to outfitters that operate on the Blue River trips, the whitewater section will be a fun adventure for the local community as the Lower Blue and popular Arkansas is a bit of a drive away.
US Forest Service is streamlining the permit process by proposing a 10-year permit system instead of a yearly one. This will provide time saving and cost cutting measures for the agency while still providing environmental review.
Contact Cam Meyer, the special use administrator for Dillon District at 970-262-3486.
Public comments are due by April 16, 2007
Thanks to the Summit Daily for this info post!
Labels: environment, outdoors, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, trips, white water
Monday, March 26, 2007
Rafting - West Virginia
West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau, Beverly Wellman reflects on tourism dollars spent in their state. Referring to the ski slopes at Winterplace, she notes that as one recreational season ends another begins. In this case, the next outdoor season begins with rafting trips.
Tourism dollars may end when the slopes clear, but those dollars begin in other regions of the state such as whitewater rafting rivers. "Those industries draw a lot of people's attention, and even if people aren't rafters, they know that West Virginia is a nice, natural relaxing place," said Ms. Wellman.
As visitors arrive, they spend money and support local businesses and regions. Rafting season began earlier this month and the rafting outfitters are looking forward to a very strong year.
Thanks to The State Journal for this news post!
Tourism dollars may end when the slopes clear, but those dollars begin in other regions of the state such as whitewater rafting rivers. "Those industries draw a lot of people's attention, and even if people aren't rafters, they know that West Virginia is a nice, natural relaxing place," said Ms. Wellman.
As visitors arrive, they spend money and support local businesses and regions. Rafting season began earlier this month and the rafting outfitters are looking forward to a very strong year.
Thanks to The State Journal for this news post!
Labels: flows, outdoors, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, white water
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Water Rafting Park - Seoul, Korea
A water rafting facility is being built near the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Muhwa Ilbo. City Mayor Oh Se-hoon made the announcement last week. The water rafting facility is part of the urban indoor ski resort that will take up approximately 3.3 million square meters near the football stadium. This is Korea's version of Disneyland. Completion date is set for 2010.
The park is divided into three activity sections tht include the indoor ski slope, a biking route and a performing arts center. The water rafting will be centered around the Nanji Stream that flows nearby.
Korea is currently bidding to host the 2014 Olympic Games. The IOC will be announcing their decisions this summer.
The park is divided into three activity sections tht include the indoor ski slope, a biking route and a performing arts center. The water rafting will be centered around the Nanji Stream that flows nearby.
Korea is currently bidding to host the 2014 Olympic Games. The IOC will be announcing their decisions this summer.
Labels: outdoors, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, trips
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Irish International White Water Film Festival
GMIT Castlebar and Drunken Ferret Media present the 4th annual Irish International White Water Film Festival on Friday, March 23 at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar.
A 7pm reception, followed by short feature films about white water canoeing. Directors will be introducing their films. The program will educate the rest of the world on what the Irish whitewater community has to show.
Filming was shot across the globe and features incredible footage of the extreme sport. Whether you’re a white water warrior or not, prepare to be amazed.
Thanks to Mayo Advertiser for this post!
A 7pm reception, followed by short feature films about white water canoeing. Directors will be introducing their films. The program will educate the rest of the world on what the Irish whitewater community has to show.
Filming was shot across the globe and features incredible footage of the extreme sport. Whether you’re a white water warrior or not, prepare to be amazed.
Thanks to Mayo Advertiser for this post!
Labels: flows, outdoors, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, white water
Monday, March 12, 2007
Ocoee River - Tennessee
The Ocoee River outfitters have signed an agreement with the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) to have controlled water releases from the dams. The commercial outfitters have secured a loan to pay the TVA for the water. The loan was secured through the Southeast Tennessee Development District. Eight separate banks along with a federal grant will pay the total of $1.6 M to the federal utility. The loan will guarantee 12 years of water flows for whitewater recreation with each year having 34 days of boatable flows.
The Ocoee River was the original site for the 1996 whitewater competition for the Summer Olympics.Thanks to the Associated Press for this information.
Labels: flows, outdoors, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, trips
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Satluj River - India
Ehsan Ahmad, Ashiq, Dr. Habib Kanth, Wahid, Riyaz Machloo, Ali Muhammad, Sajad Gasi and Ishafaq Khan are the 2007 team mates of J&K Rafting Association for the 4th India International White Water Rafting Cup. Over 20 teams will be competing on March 10 - 17th on the Satluj River in Himachal Pradesh. The Satluj River has difficult rapids and is quite treacherous. 12 of the teams are from outside of India and the Indian Rafting Association is organizing this year's event.
Four events highlight the competition as each team will have a time trial, head-to-head parallel sprint, slalom round and down-the-hill race. The eight member team from J&K Rafting Association came in 7th place last year and expect to do even better this year. The team recently won 6th place at the national rafting championship held at Reshikesh Uttranchal.
Thanks to Greater Kashmir for this rafting news item!
Four events highlight the competition as each team will have a time trial, head-to-head parallel sprint, slalom round and down-the-hill race. The eight member team from J&K Rafting Association came in 7th place last year and expect to do even better this year. The team recently won 6th place at the national rafting championship held at Reshikesh Uttranchal.
Thanks to Greater Kashmir for this rafting news item!
Labels: outdoors, paddling, rafting, rivers, trips
Friday, March 02, 2007
California Rafting Trips - 2007
Late winter storms have changed the landscape for California rafting trips. A series of storms blanketed the Sierra Nevada with fresh snow that assures the whitewater paddling public that the 2007 rafting season will be normal to above normal in places.
In Northern California, the rivers are already running as die-hard paddlers and kayakers challenge Class 4, Class 5 runs. The Smith, Cal Salmon and Trinity have already started their whitewater season due to precipitation.
On the most popular white water rafting river, the three forks of the American River, paddlers have never stopped rafting throughout the fall and winter months. Kirkwood Meadows received a large snow pack this past week which guarantees great flows on the South Fork American. North Fork American, one of the best Class 4 runs start this month just in time for spring break, while the Middle Fork American should flow from now through September.
Down south, the Kern and the Kaweah will have normal flows according to the rafting outfitters. The recent storms have boosted their river flow expectations to around 60% of normal with more storms coming.
In Northern California, the rivers are already running as die-hard paddlers and kayakers challenge Class 4, Class 5 runs. The Smith, Cal Salmon and Trinity have already started their whitewater season due to precipitation.
On the most popular white water rafting river, the three forks of the American River, paddlers have never stopped rafting throughout the fall and winter months. Kirkwood Meadows received a large snow pack this past week which guarantees great flows on the South Fork American. North Fork American, one of the best Class 4 runs start this month just in time for spring break, while the Middle Fork American should flow from now through September.
Down south, the Kern and the Kaweah will have normal flows according to the rafting outfitters. The recent storms have boosted their river flow expectations to around 60% of normal with more storms coming.
Labels: american river, california, flows, north fork, outdoors, paddling, rafting, recreation, rivers, spring break, trips, wet river trips
