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flow rates on the Columbia

 
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surfersteve



Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 203

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 10:31 pm    Post subject: flow rates on the Columbia Reply with quote

Temira has been talking about the flow rate below the John Day Dam. What is the best source for flow and what is the upper limit for good sailing conditions at Rufus? Anyone have any comments they would like to share in LESS THAN 500 words (you know who you are).
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hilton08



Joined: 02 Apr 2000
Posts: 505

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 12:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is the link I use:

http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/ftppub/project_data/hourly/jda_0daysback.txt

In my experience, Rufus and The Wall are best when the flow is under 200 KCFS, but the swell (and sailing) can still be good in slightly higher flows as long as the wind is strong enough to overcome the current. When the flow gets close to 300 KCFS (or over) you should keep driving to Arlington or Roosevelt.

Based on the current forecast, I would plan on avoiding the Maryhill stretch of river until late June.

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/stp/station/stpplot/stpplot.cgi?TDAO3

On a positive note, the high water seems to make for great swell at the Hatchery.
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 7:24 am    Post subject: Re: flow rates on the Columbia Reply with quote

surfersteve wrote:
Anyone have any comments they would like to share in LESS THAN 500 words (you know who you are).

Well, I'm not ADHD. Smile
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philodog



Joined: 28 Apr 2000
Posts: 209

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blowing high 20s, low 30s at Rufus on Tuesday with a perfect direction but I just sat and watched. The current was about 300 and it was killing the swell. The west end of the Wall looked much better (from I-84 on the drive home). Maybe because it`s a few miles farther from the dam?
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philodog



Joined: 28 Apr 2000
Posts: 209

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another flow site, slightly easier to read.

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/textPlot.cgi?id=JDAO3&pe=QR
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philodog



Joined: 28 Apr 2000
Posts: 209

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2014 1:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

240 yesterday, 4.7 and nice swell.
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jimoakes



Joined: 21 Apr 2006
Posts: 172

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2014 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the reports philodog. Your comments are right on from what I've experienced. I didn't go to the Wall Tuesday because

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/textPlot.cgi?id=JDAO3&pe=QR

said 300 and that's usually to much current. 280 can be OK.

I sailed Doug's yesterday 4 hours of 4.2 and 2 hours of 4.7. The swell got good from 4 to 6:30, but earlier in the day it was marginal.
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