Middle Fork Stanislaus, Dardanells, Flows?

[paul martzen]

Does anybody have any idea what the flows are in the Middle Stan, Dardanells, Donnells area. Any idea how to find out? I am going to be in the area for work on Friday and am thinking of bringing a boat.

Paul

[new Randolph]

http://www.dreamflows.com/flows-canv.html

I think it's just an estimate, but it looks like it's still crankin' up there. We did Donnel's a few years ago at like 500 and that run was fun as hell. I think it would be a bit high at 1200, but probably would still go. Maybe a few more portages (at 500, there's just one). The lake level might change the final falls a bit. If you're thinking of trying to hit up Donnel's, post back here and I'll give you directions. They're in my book which is MIA right now. The bible's directions to take out are nowhere close to right, but I've got them all written down, I just have to find my book. Hmmmm.....

[Anonymous]

The inflow to Donnels gauge seemed accurate about a month ago. Anybody's guess if it is now...

[paul martzen]

Thanks. Silly that I forget about the dreamflows daily page.

Looks like it is cranking up there. I probably won't have time to boat anyway, but I will report back on how it looks at least.

Paul

[new Randolph]

Hey Paul,

Take a look at the upper South Stan. That's probably your best bet. It flows earlier than the Mid Stan and is supposed to be the shit!! I think it might be good right about now. Let us know what you find!!

Later.

-Randolph

[Anonymous]

Upper South Stan is long done...I hiked it about 4 weeks ago and it had 150 cfs. Can't be much left now. It's only about 50% runnable anyway.

[paul martzen]

I did get up there on Friday, did not bring a boat and did not stay long. i did look at the river in a few spots and did shoot pictures at a few different spots.

I would guess that the flow was around 800 at the Clark Fork Rd bridge. It was high but looked ok.

THe Clark Fork itself looked fun with perhaps 100 to 200 cfs. There are lots of sections hidden from the road that could have logs and junk. What you can see from the road is mostly flattish, but I did see some fun looking sections as well.

[Anonymous]

We did about 5 miles of the clark fork earlier this season with about 500 cfs in it. The flat stuff you can see from the road is pretty loaded with wood but the hidden section about 2-3 miles long was great. It didn't have much wood in it. It's some pretty continuos colorado style class V. I'd say about 200 feet per mile and pumping. That little creek keeps you on your toes for that 3 miles. It was pretty tough.

[Anonymous]

Did lower part of Dardanelles and Donnels this weekend, felt like we had 8-900 below Clark Fork, on the higher side but good,
Very fun run and much more contiunous than most cali runs but cleaner than say,.. colorado
Recomend putting in near 108 bridge for more good rapids, may be some sic drops in gorges up stream but may want less water for that.
warning! great run but shuttle sucks. If you want to train for that other high sierra run whose name shall not be spoken you may want to look at hiking up the closed road that takes off from 108 2.7 mi west of the Donnels vista otherwise it is about 1:30 shuttle each way with lots of shitty dirt road.
for that go to Beardsly road go north and then take the second dirt road on right then Y right on the next major dirt road.
Hell's half acre (run below Donnels) looks like it would have been good a week or so ago, looks like it could be an awsome run. I cant remeber what the AW flow study people felt about it but its intrieguing

[new Randolph]

Yo KSable,

Did the lake level effect (or affect, I forget which is correct) the final falls? That drop is sick!! We ran it at like 500 though. Still sick as hell. I like that run for sure. I'd agree, the shuttle sucks balls. I think that running shuttle one afternoon/evening, then camping and running Donnels the next day is the best route.

Later.

Randolph

[Anonymous]

Yeah my spelling sucks too. Too much late night driving from rivers makes you not so smart.
Resevoir was brimming full and the last drop was a tight s turn leading to a 3 ft drop into a sizeable hole right at the resevoir, by Randolphs tone I imagine that the 3ft drop might grow as the resevoir drops.
I played around on the topo program and the river below the res drops over 300ft in about a 1/3 mi.
Also hike out would be 1.5 mi and a 1000ft climb.
Its affect
cheers

[SandM]

I think either word works; it is an issue of symantic subleties! So nahhh!