San Rafael River Flow Level

[maxpower]

Does anyone have any info in the current flow of the San Rafael river? Wanting to raft from Fuller Bottom to the Swinging Bridge soon. There used to be a good web site I have used before but cannot find it now. If anyone knows the current conditions or even better, has a link to a page with the conditions I would much appreciate it.

[Udink]

I think this is the only stream gauge on the San Rafael, near where it empties into the Green River:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv?site_no=09328500

Running at about 550cfs now, plenty high for running it. It's been "in" for a few weeks, and it's looking like it will be for several more weeks to come.

[Shan]

I usually look at both the USGS (link Udink provided) and the CRBFC (Colorado River Basin Forecast Center):

Where the gage is located (about 30 miles from the GR mouth):
http://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/gmap/gmap.php?fid=SRFU1

Its hydrograph with some forecasts and outlooks which can be handy:
http://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/station/fl...plot.cgi?srfu1

[maxpower]

Cool thanks for the help guys. I am doing a trip next week starting in Huntington (where I am from originally) and working my way through southeast Utah for about a month back home to Las Vegas. I ran the San Rafael about 5 years ago in a kayak when the water was ridiculously high and it was awesome. Figured running it again would be a good way to start my trip off.

[Shan]

You may run into my coworkers, they'll be down there doing some surveying on the San Rafael next week for at least a week.

Sounds like a nice vacation!

[Bo_Beck]

Does anyone have any info in the current flow of the San Rafael river? Wanting to raft from Fuller Bottom to the Swinging Bridge soon. There used to be a good web site I have used before but cannot find it now. If anyone knows the current conditions or even better, has a link to a page with the conditions I would much appreciate it.

To get the whole state water stations try this link.


http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/current?type=flow

[mcirque]

The san rafael is running. Here's where I go to get info on lots of rivers in UT

http://riverbrain.com/run/show?id=61...e+Grand+Canyon

[maxpower]

Thanks for all the links everyone

[ExpUt]

Floated from Swinging Bridge back to our base camp along Mexican Mountain Road a couple of times yesterday, river was as fast as I've seen it in recent years. We chatted with some rafters taking out at the bridge, they reported 6-7 hours from Fuller Bottom to the Bridge.

[maxpower]

Cool. I ran it in 06 I think and heard it was at a record high for the last 20 or 30 years or something like that. Took about 8 hours (Fuller Bottom to Bridge) which included a few stops and exploring Virgin Spring Canyon. Looks like Friday or Saturday we're gonna hit it.

[Shan]

If anyone is interested, a report from my friend who just got back from SFR with a 1 year old and two 5 year olds:

The san rafael river: Great place. Buckhorn wash is really cool. Quite a bit of nice looking climbing (from a non-expert here). Lots of rock art too. The Rochester panel (we didn see) was very highly recommended, but we didn't have time.




So the river is easily paddled in a day and we saw many people doing just that. There are some nice canyons and campsites along the way. A few people had dogs. It is a fairly busy place. Saturday which was great weather, we saw a lot of people there (not many while we were on the river,but at the take-out/put-in).




The paddling is a bit tricky, lots a fairly quick turns. Nothing too dangerous though.

My feeling is that around 200-300 would be best (we had about 400 cfs, and it was pretty quick). The water is supposed to go up for a while, so I'd say if you had a weekend and went as the water was dropping would be best. Plus many people who are anxious will be hitting it while it is high. It is like a mini escalante trip (fair bit easier).






There is also a nice clear water pool to swim in at virgin springs canyon. Pascal ripped off his diaper and dove in - pretty funny was we pulled him out. He did it a few more times too!

[Scott P]

There is also a nice clear water pool to swim in at virgin springs canyon. Pascal ripped off his diaper and dove in - pretty funny was we pulled him out. He did it a few more times too!

Virgin Spring is the main source of drinking water along the San Rafael River. It might not be a good idea to swim in it.

[MPH]

Went from F. Bottom to the Bridge in 5 hours a few weeks ago. It was reading at 470cfs. Great float.

We did do some hikes. Keep your eyes open and look for some nice rock art panels:)