Trying to understand River Stage Info

[Bob in MO]

I'm looking at putting my kayak in on the Meramec for the first time so I was out looking around and stopped at Scotts Ford this past Sunday. Thought the flow looked good for little float fishing, nice and easy. When I got home I checked the river stage for that day. USGS 07013000 Meramec River near Steelville, MO indicated 790 cfs.

The following is taken from the article Meramec River: Sections by Al Agnew, indicating a faster flow at 790 cfs

"500-900 cfs—high but floatable with strong currents and difficult fishing from moving craft, jetboating easy for the prudent."

The attached picture is looking up stream, which looks pretty peaceful, from the ford this past Sunday.

So can anyone help me understand whats going on? Is the problem down stream some place where the flow picks up.

Thanks

 

[Smalliebigs]

looks perfect too me

790cfs where???....790 at one spot is way different than another. I never really check water levels unless it's really high......one thing a great river fisherman told me at an MSA meeting once that has increased the amount of good fishing days for me was this. I only go out on the river when the river flow is steady and less than a foot of fluctuation up or down. Stick to going when it's a stable flow and you will catch fish

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

56 minutes ago, Smalliebigs said:

looks perfect too me

790cfs where???....790 at one spot is way different than another. I never really check water levels unless it's really high......one thing a great river fisherman told me at an MSA meeting once that has increased the amount of good fishing days for me was this. I only go out on the river when the river flow is steady and less than a foot of fluctuation up or down. Stick to going when it's a stable flow and you will catch fish

 

I think he is referring to Al's post about the Steelville gauge. 

[moguy1973]

Like Smalliebigs said, CFM is only relative to the size of the river it's taken at. 790CFM on the Meramec at Steelville is going to be different than 790CFM at Eureka.  I also think that, while it's the same CFM reading, that a river going down is going to be a lot better looking than one that is on it's way up, mainly due to it having time to settle the mud that's washed into the river from rain.  That said, that picture of the Meramec looks perfect for floating right now.  Good section too, especially from Scott's Ford down to Indian Springs.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Shouldn’t he be looking at the cook station gauge?  I realize it wouldn’t take into account the spring but looking at a gauge Downstream from your location isn’t ideal.  

[Al Agnew]

I think my article specifically said that for the Steelville gauge.  The Steelville gauge is the best one to use for the river between Maramec Spring and Onondaga.  Cook Station gauge is for above the spring.  Sullivan gauge is for Onondaga to the mouth of the Bourbeuse.

My reasoning on it is this...over 500 cfs is quite a bit of water for that section of the Meramec IN THE SUMMER, when most people float it and fish it.  In the summer, most of the good fishing water is right around the riffles in the faster water.  The faster water is difficult to fish from a canoe or kayak when it's that high, because you can't slow down easily.  The pools will look slow and normal, but that faster water will really be moving.  However, if you like to get out of the boat and wade, it's doable at that flow, although once it gets much over 800 cfs the wading gets a bit difficult.

[Gavin]

Agree with Al..700cfs at Steelville used to be my cutoff to wade down at Cardiac/Suicide Hill 25 years ago. Doubt if I'd walk down the Hill unless its below 500 cfs now. Its moving pretty quick at 500 cfs and 250 is summer low and slow. I would not hesitate to float it at 1,000 cfs. You would be limited in terms of spots to wade fish, but you could stay in the boat, eddy out, and fish the seams.

 

[Bob in MO]

On 6/2/2020 at 9:41 PM, Al Agnew said:

I think my article specifically said that for the Steelville gauge.  The Steelville gauge is the best one to use for the river between Maramec Spring and Onondaga.  Cook Station gauge is for above the spring.  Sullivan gauge is for Onondaga to the mouth of the Bourbeuse.

My reasoning on it is this...over 500 cfs is quite a bit of water for that section of the Meramec IN THE SUMMER, when most people float it and fish it.  In the summer, most of the good fishing water is right around the riffles in the faster water.  The faster water is difficult to fish from a canoe or kayak when it's that high, because you can't slow down easily.  The pools will look slow and normal, but that faster water will really be moving.  However, if you like to get out of the boat and wade, it's doable at that flow, although once it gets much over 800 cfs the wading gets a bit difficult.

Thanks Al for the explanation and to everyone for their comments.

I plan on retiring in the next year or so and will have more time for fishing. Trying to plan different river trips.

So, just to make sure I get this in my hard head 🙂. If I had floated this on Sunday with a Steelville gage of 790, when I encountered the riffles, more than likely it would be difficult to wade those ripples. One of my fishing buddies is in his 70s, and I need to make sure I keep him in safe.

Thanks again

[Al Agnew]

14 hours ago, Bob in MO said:

Thanks Al for the explanation and to everyone for their comments.

I plan on retiring in the next year or so and will have more time for fishing. Trying to plan different river trips.

So, just to make sure I get this in my hard head 🙂. If I had floated this on Sunday with a Steelville gage of 790, when I encountered the riffles, more than likely it would be difficult to wade those ripples. One of my fishing buddies is in his 70s, and I need to make sure I keep him in safe.

Thanks again

Yup, unless you (or he) is a strong wader, I'd think you'd be limited in where you could wade with the river over 500 cfs.  I've got good balance (and really good wading shoes), but I'm a fairly small guy.  I simply don't have enough height and weight to be as strong wading as some of my buddies.  If you DON'T have really good balance and shoes with soles you can depend upon (and felt is outlawed so there goes most of the good wading boots), you're going to run into real problems trying to wade the Meramec.

[Smalliebigs]

13 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

Yup, unless you (or he) is a strong wader, I'd think you'd be limited in where you could wade with the river over 500 cfs.  I've got good balance (and really good wading shoes), but I'm a fairly small guy.  I simply don't have enough height and weight to be as strong wading as some of my buddies.  If you DON'T have really good balance and shoes with soles you can depend upon (and felt is outlawed so there goes most of the good wading boots), you're going to run into real problems trying to wade the Meramec.

5/10's :)…….best investment in my feet in a long time