 River Gauges & How to Predict Water Levels
History
The first
gauges were done by someone simply marking a rock or bridge and saying it was so
much more higher then normal flow.
Today's measurements are much more precise.
There are gauges placed in the water to measure the exact CFS (cubic feet of
water per second). Some of the old methods are still in use. Particularly at
Fayette Station on the New River where the feet level is carved in a stone and
higher on the Fayette Station Bridge.
A New River Every Day
Each
river changes at different water levels. The New River for example still offers
a great ride at almost all levels. Some rapids are more active than others at
certain water levels. For example, at higher water levels a rapid can be washed
out but at lower water level it is kicking. But with the higher water level new
holes and hydraulics have formed and are passable.
Trainees must learn the river at each water
level and learn how it behaves. Each trip is definitely unique in it more than
1,000 ways.
How to predict what the river is like...
We check
the river levels every day. I would be happy to interpret it for you. Here is a
little write up to help you predict the river levels and size of rapids.
| New
River Conversion Figures |
| FT |
STAGE |
|
FT |
STAGE |
| -2 |
1,072
cfs |
|
6 |
11,400
cfs |
| -1 |
1,704
cfs |
|
7 |
14,100
cfs |
| 0 |
2,440
cfs |
|
8 |
17,200
cfs |
| 1 |
3,352
cfs |
|
9 |
20,200
cfs |
| 2 |
4,436
cfs |
|
10 |
23,800
cfs |
| 3 |
5,820
cfs |
|
11 |
26,800
cfs |
| 4 |
7,550
cfs |
|
12 |
30,000
cfs |
| 5 |
9,550
cfs |
|
|
|
STEP # 1 )
Go to one of these sites living
current stream flow conditions.
US
Army Corps of Engineers
USGS
Surface Water Information--State Maps
West Virginia Current Streamflow Conditions
STEP # 2 )
Find current flow figure in CFS
(Cubic Feet of water per Second) for the river you want to know about.
STEP # 3 )
Find where the figure goes in
chart to the right and estimate foot level.
If the Gauley is at 3,500 cfs or higher, be ready to swim!
|
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