Hello Scenic Rivers Friends,
Listed below are Illinois River Basin Forecasted Conditions and Recommendations for this upcoming September 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2010 "Labor Day" Holiday Weekend.
Please know several recipients on our electronic mailing list will occasionally report back to us that their Email Server distorted the format or omitted portions of the OSRC electronic mailings. In the event you experience a likened problem, a copy of this weekend's Illinois River Basin Forecasted Conditions and Recommendations is attached above in "Word" Format.
From time to time, there will be an individual is added to the OSRC mailing who does not wish to be included. In the event you are one of those individuals, please advise me at ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net so your name/electronic address may be removed from the OSRC mailing list.
In closing, feel free to contact me if the OSRC may ever assist you.
Sincerely,
Ed Fite
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission
Office (918) 456-3251
Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net
You are probably already more than familiar with our agency's mission to protect and preserve our state's scenic river areas. Yet while I have your attention, may I ask a favor of you today to start picking up at least two pieces of trash/litter everyday somewhere you regularly don't (i.e. along a stream, ditch, downtown area, grocery, work, discount stores, malls, restaurant, Church, school, hiking trails, canoeing, hunting, etc)... And, please encourage your family, friends and co-workers to do the same... The synergy of that one effort will do so much to improve our overall environment...
OKLAHOMA SCENIC RIVERS COMMISSION
ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN
SEPTEMBER 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2010 “LABOR DAY” HOLIDAY WEEKEND FORECAST
Be sure to mark your calendars on Saturday, October 16th to attend this year’s OSRC “Illinois RiverFest.”
As Illinois River water levels and flows are now below historic seasonal lows, it is recommended that individuals planning to utilize canoes, kayaks, rafts or inner tubes for their float trips should opt for taking shorter length trips given river conditions. In the event individuals chose to take a float trip that covers a river reach 10 miles or longer, it is recommended that those float trips should be launched prior to 8:00a.m., to allow adequate time to complete them safely and during daylight hours.
River/Stream Conditions as of 10:00a.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2010:
Illinois River
Water Temperature is 72.68º F
Savoy / ARK Hwy Bridge – Level 2.60ft and discharge 19.61 cubic feet per second (cfs).Level Steady
ARK Hwy 16 Bridge – Level 5.01ft and discharge 80cfs. Level Steady
ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 2.60ft and discharge 77cfs. Level Steady
Watts / US Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 1.90ft and discharge 154cfs. Level Steady
Based on 54 years of record, average water level should be 1.75ft and discharge 154 cubic feet per second on this date at Watts/US Hwy 59 Bridge Gaging Station.
Chewey Bridge – 4.22ft and discharge 146cfs. Level Steady
Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge – Level 2.43ft and discharge 164cfs. Level Steady Based on 74 years of record, average water level should be 2.50ft and discharge 197 cubic feet per second on this date at Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge Gaging Station.
Cubic Feet per Second (cfs) = 450 X cfs = gallons per minute flowing by a given point (place such as a bridge). Example, if Tahlequah Gage on the Illinois River is 164cfs today at 10:00a.m., then 450 X 164 = 73,800 gallons is flowing by the Tahlequah Gage every one minute.
Barren Fork Creek
Dutch Mills / ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 1.18ft and discharge 4.88cfs. Level Steady
Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge – Level 5.32ft and discharge 74cfs. Level Steady
Based on 61 years of record, average water level should be 5.30ft and discharge 58 cubic feet per second on this date at Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge Gaging Station.
Flint Creek
Sager Creek (upstream of US Hwy 412 Bridge and west of West of Siloam Springs, OK) – Level 4.37ft and discharge 7.52cfs. Level Steady
Flint Creek Springtown, AR – 3.51ft and 3.30cfs. Level Steady
US Hwy 412 Bridge (East of Kansas, OK) – Level 6.12ft and discharge 42cfs. Level Steady
Based on 50 years of record, average water level should be 6.10ft and discharge 29 cubic feet per second on this date at US Hwy 412 Bridge Gaging Station.
Estimated Weekend Water Levels:
Illinois River at Watts (US 59 Bridge- Watts, OK - Adair County)
Friday, September 3rd 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Saturday, September 4th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Sunday, September 5th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Monday, September 6th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Illinois River at Tahlequah (US 62 Bridge- Tahlequah, OK - Cherokee County)
Friday, September 3rd 7:00a.m. – 2.40ft
Saturday, September 4th 7:00a.m. – 2.40ft
Sunday, September 5th 7:00a.m. – 2.50ft
Monday, September 6th 7:00a.m. – 2.50ft
Flint Creek at Kansas (US 412 Bridge- Kansas, OK - Delaware County)
Friday, September 3rd 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Saturday, September 4th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Sunday, September 5th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Monday, September 6th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft
Barren Fork Creek (SH 51 Bridge – Eldon, OK – Cherokee County)
Friday, September 3rd 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft
Saturday, September 4th 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft
Sunday, September 5th 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft
Monday, September 6th 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft
The National Weather Service-Tulsa Office Forecast for the Illinois River Basin this “Labor Day” Holiday Weekend:
- Friday, September 3rd High 86ºF and Low 56ºF , Partly Cloudy Skies with winds out of the North 5-10mph and occasional gusts up to 15mph. UV 9;
- Saturday, September 4th High 88ºF and Low 58ºF, Clear Skies with light winds out of the East up to 5mph. UV 10;
- Sunday, September 5th High 90ºF and Low 65ºF, Clear Skies with winds out of the South 5-10mph and occasional gusts up to 15mph. UV 10; and,
- Monday, September 6th High 94ºF and Low 68ºF, Partly Cloudy with winds out of the South 5-10mph and occasional gusts up to 15mph. UV 9.
It is recommended that first-time and novice floaters should only float when accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced floaters.
Oklahoma Law requires children under the age 13 years of age must wear a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating.
Always exercise caution when floating and swimming by wearing a LIFEJACKET (aka: PFD/Personal Flotation Device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading.
Floaters should be aware that fallen trees and other debris in the river will present navigational hazards.
Before setting out on any float trip, please consult the Commercial Flotation Device Operation you plan to use as your rental livery for the most up-to-date river conditions and recommendations. Also, be sure to log-on to Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net and click on the “48-Hour Recreational Forecast” icon to view an interactive river map that changes colors with elevated river levels and matrix of recommendations at the certain levels.
Other considerations for a safe float trip:
- Be sure to inform the commercial flotation device operation if you or anyone in your party are a first-time or novice floater(s) so that they may pair you with an experienced paddler/floater or float you in a raft so there is a lesser chance for capsizing;
- Wear a personal flotation device at all times;
- Never swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions;
- Do not float when river levels and discharge flows are higher than normal or at flood stage;
- If you capsize, stay with your flotation device on the upstream side. Resist the urge to grab a fixed object don't get pinned between the flotation device and a rock or tree;
- When tired, take a break on a gravel bar to relax;
- Take a shorter length float trip (especially in rafts and inner tubes) when river levels are at Summer-time lows and winds are out of the South greater than 10mph;
- Do not dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, streambanks and trees;
- Do not swing on rope swings and jump into the water as there may be submerged logs and tree branches that could cause bodily harm;
- Be sure to bring sunglasses, extra cover up clothing, hat and suntan lotion. The sun reflecting off the water will give a person without sunglasses a headache and the extra clothing gives an opportunity not to sunburn;
- Be sure to take water, tea, Gatorade, other thirst-quenching drinks and peanut butter crackers or similar snacks. Try to avoid beer and soda pops as they tend to dehydrate the body and alcohol impairs judgment;
- Be sure to wear river wading shoes to ensure no cuts to your feet;
- Never take anything on your float trip that you don't want to lose. Check your car keys with the commercial flotation device operation for safe keeping;
- Respect the rights of fishermen and private property owners;
- Camp only in designated areas. Avoid being trapped by rising water against bluffs or on gravel bars;
- Do not tie flotation devices together as it against the law and violators are subject to fine;
- Do not use profanity;
- Do not use glass and Styrofoam containers;
- Do not litter;
- Shower with soap and water after swimming;
- Wash cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming;
- Wear ear plugs;
- Wear swim goggles;
- Take children to the restroom frequently;
- Use swim diapers on infants;
- Stay away from any area that has floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish;
- Do not swim after a heavy rain;
- Do not swim in water with a temperature greater than 80ºF;
- Do not swim if you have cuts or scrapes;
- Do not swim near storm drains;
- Do not swim in stagnant (unmoving) water;
- Do not swim in water with a green surface scum; and,
- Do not ingest water.
Always Pack Out What You Pack In
Be Sure To Recycle and Dispose of Your Trash Properly
Trash bags are available to campers and floaters “free-of-charge” from Commercial Flotation Device Operations, River Rangers and Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Headquarters Building.
For questions or additional information, feel free to contact us at the below information.
Thank you,
Ed Fite, Administrator
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission
PO Box 292
Tahlequah, OK 74465-0292
Office (918) 456-3251
Fax (918) 456-8466
Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net
"Float and swim smart from the start by wearing a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading"
(08312010)
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