River Level... How High Is Too High?

[Jump n Fish]

Ok, planning a trip to the Buffalo coming up soon. I realize its very low right now and we planned on float fishing over 2-3 days the lower wilderness section. I'm a die-hard river fisherman that doesn't mind dragging. I do see rain in the forecast between now and then, and just by looking at the USGS gauge history at Harriet, I can see that this river gets some WICKED spikes. Looking at the Harriet gauge what is a good CFS/Level for clarity and fishing, and what is too high? I've been researching this for awhile and I'm coming up pretty empty.

I see that 1500 to 2000 cfs is pretty average for the popular spring months, but that's a huge spike from where its at now. Do I have that big of a window before I need to be concerned, or is the river pretty much unfishable or dangerous at that level of flow?

I also see some spikes in mid July that took it up to 5000cfs, and wondering if I can even find higher ground at that point if we get a monsoon while I'm camping. Just concerned with a 60% chance of scattered storms each day, how much that usually affects the river this time of year. If its likely I could run into a scary spike with those kind of rain chances I might not do this trip.

Thanks for any help. If this has been discussed elsewhere, I apologize. I just couldn't find anything.

[gotmuddy]

IMO, fishing on the lower part is best when the guage is around the 4 foot mark, at least for going upstream. Coming downstream you want at least 3 foot for a riverboat and you can get by with 2.5 foot with a canoe. I havent fished in any higher water than 4ft so far, mainly because it will be muddy unless its spring. In order for the water to get dangerously high you will need massive amounts of rainfall in a short period of time. This is due to how dry it is around here.

I am guessing your going rush to the white river?

[Jump n Fish]

IMO, fishing on the lower part is best when the guage is around the 4 foot mark, at least for going upstream. Coming downstream you want at least 3 foot for a riverboat and you can get by with 2.5 foot with a canoe. I havent fished in any higher water than 4ft so far, mainly because it will be muddy unless its spring. In order for the water to get dangerously high you will need massive amounts of rainfall in a short period of time. This is due to how dry it is around here.

I am guessing your going rush to the white river?

Yeah, I'll be bringing my own solo canoe. I talked with Buffalo River Float Service already about the shuttle. Not sure exactly where to put in, kinda depends on how early I get there. But I planned on taking out at Buffalo City. Was hoping to get shoved off mid day on a thursday, and takeout early Sunday (I like to take my time). This is my last big adventure before I'm gonna be tied up changing diapers for awhile. I figure any rain would probably help a little, but I'm just fine dragging the canoe if that means I get some solitude. I've heard of some crazy floods on this river, and I wasn't sure what level is "scary" for those sections, if there happens to be a big front move through and dump a bunch of rain on my trip.

[bobber]

I have paddled the sections above rush at 9 to 11 ft. many times it's always dark muddy water .if the rain falls at or near the head waters you cold have 16 to 24 hours before the rise hits. but if the whole water shead gets 1 to 2 inches it could be on you within hours. rule of thunb for camping along the river is 6 to 9 vertical feet above the water line. and don't camp on a bluff line. if the water comes up you have no place to go! make sure you pull the canoes up high so the don't float off in the darkness as you lay in the tent thinking about did it or didn't it rain enough.. and stop by the ranger station to let them know your in the wilderness section,and what day your comming off the river(it's called a float plan) for safety..you can also leave a note on the dashboard too.in the bad event you get flooded do not try to walk out!!sit tight at your camp site..(because you told the rangers about your trip) they will come looking for you most likley they will come up stream from the white river in a power boat.. extra water and food for a day or two might be a good idea also.....

[Jump n Fish]

Good info guys. I appreciate the help. Sounds like unless the forecast looks really bad before I go, should be fine this time of year. I always pack an extra day's worth of supplies, and I will file a float plan.

Is the wilderness section mostly public land if I want to camp a little further from the water for safety sake?

I really hope the weather works out, because I need this trip bad. Been a tough year and its time for a sabbatical, and this is a rare opportunity for me to have a window like this to make a trip.

[gotmuddy]

Have you considered floating the eleven point? We were on it last weekend and floated riverton to myrtle, it was nice, plenty of water.

The Rush to white river float is all public land. There is some awesome places to camp on gravel bars. One is about 8 miles down, there is a huge rock hanging out over a really deep hole. Are you going alone?

[Jump n Fish]

Have you considered floating the eleven point? We were on it last weekend and floated riverton to myrtle, it was nice, plenty of water.

The Rush to white river float is all public land. There is some awesome places to camp on gravel bars. One is about 8 miles down, there is a huge rock hanging out over a really deep hole. Are you going alone?

I've thought about the 11 point as well. I am still keeping an open mind as to where to go. I'll be driving 8 hours, so I do have a few backup streams in mind if one doesn't work out. Does the 11 point have some longer more secluded stretches where a guy could camp over a couple days?

Right now it looks like I may be going alone. One friend backed out on me yesterday because he couldn't get the vacation approved, and the other one is still a maybe that won't know till next week.

I'm really in a pretty flexible situation, and I don't mind company if this sounds like a trip somebody would like to do. I've even thought about taking out on the Buffalo saturday and hitting a different river on Sunday.

So far the most likely scenario will be Rush to White river over 3-4 days. I like to paddle/wade up the feeder creeks and I often find myself blowing a half day on a feeder creek sometimes.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Doing the wilderness alone might be a little dangerous this time of the year. If you were to get hurt, or bitten, or sick, it might be a while before you would see other paddlers.

[Jump n Fish]

Doing the wilderness alone might be a little dangerous this time of the year. If you were to get hurt, or bitten, or sick, it might be a while before you would see other paddlers.

This would be over labor day weekend, although I'll be pushing off on Thursday. I really have no idea what to expect, but I figured there'd be quite a few folks out that weekend.

I do have hundreds of river miles under my belt from rivers all over the country, but I have to admit a multi-day solo trip is always a concern of mine. I guess I was under the impression that this river is very heavily used on holiday weekends.

Is there any chance at getting a cell phone signal at all in that area?

[gotmuddy]

This would be over labor day weekend, although I'll be pushing off on Thursday. I really have no idea what to expect, but I figured there'd be quite a few folks out that weekend.

I do have hundreds of river miles under my belt from rivers all over the country, but I have to admit a multi-day solo trip is always a concern of mine. I guess I was under the impression that this river is very heavily used on holiday weekends.

Is there any chance at getting a cell phone signal at all in that area?

Absolutely no cell service of any kind. No towns and the only way out that I know of is a two mile hike from middle creek.

I don't think the river will be crowded