Any thoughts or info regarding what happens if there’s a govt. shut down as there was a few years ago when we were planning for the Current? If I’m understanding the news correctly, it could well happen (IF it happens and I assume we all hope it doesn’t) about the time some of us are on the road for the 'vous. I’d think we’d go directly to the North Fork in that event, but perhaps for some reason the Buffalo and the Ozark Campground wouldn’t be affected as the Current was? Any thoughts?
Just a thought but the Buffalo is run by the NPS too… I’d expect at least the loo would have a padlock. I can’t remember if there is a gate to the Ozark campground.
PJC , we should know by midnight Friday night/Saturday morning if there will be a government shutdown. Who knows what will happen, but the consensus I’m reading online is that if they don’t have an agreement by then, they will kick the can down the street for another week, which means any of the following:
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They don’t shut down and things go as planned.
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They shut down Friday night/Saturday morning and all National Park Service facilities are closed, in which case I plan on going to the Twin Bridges Campground (http://twinbridgescanoe.com/) on the North Fork of the White River in the Missouri Ozarks.
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They kick the can down the road and National Park Service facilities are open next week. In that case I’m going to Ozark NPS Campground on the Buffalo. If they don’t reach an agreement and shut it down while we are there we can decide where we move to or if we go home.
In any case as of now I plan on being in the Ozarks sometime on Tuesday afternoon, either at Ozark NPS campground on the Buffalo, or Twin Bridges on the North Fork of the White River in Missouri.
My recommendation is to keep up with the news and keep your eyes peeled to this thread. We should know more by Saturday, if not before.
We plan on being at Ozarks campground on Wednesday; if the useless politicians
get off their useless asses.
They seem to always have time to go on junkets, show up for photo ops, appear at paid speaking engagements, or speak with lobbyists who line their thieving pockets.
Balancing the budget; is never a priority on the “need to do” list.
Bob’s solution: $5,000.00 fine per politician, per day, if the budget isn’t balanced when it’s due. Getting into somebody pocket is something “everyone” understands. Next year’s fine is $10,000.00; the year after that it’s $15,000.00. Even millionaires (most of them are) will get their ass in gear after awhile, or look for greener pastures.
Good riddance to bad trash; don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!.
BOB
During the government shutdown in Oct 2013 both the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Buffalo National River were “closed and secured”. All campsites were closed. I assume the same would be true again.
Hoping the rain and others events are solved…been youtubing this river for months, really excited to experience it! I’ve got Friday off work (5th) so hopefully around 830 Thursday I’ll be at campground…hoping to hit the 3 mile graded entrance before dark, sounds a litt
The road is not an issue for most unless you bring a big travel trailer. People bring truck campers and last year we brought a small 20 foot travel trailer. Weighs about 3500 lbs and we were able to enter and exit without engaging four wheel drive.
That is of course if its open.
The rain dancers plan a mega event this weekend according to government sources (NOAA)… Seven or eight inches for much of the Ozarks, not counting the amount that may fall today or tomorrow. We may be waiting for water levels to drop next week. Will just have to see how much rain these dancers conjure up.
I plan to be at the campground Wednesday.
What type of clothing for paddling , wet or dry suit ?
I’m thinking that I will be able to make the Rendezvous this year - so hoping that it’s still a go.
I would suggest that folks stay tuned to this thread and keep an eye on the gauges through this weekend. If the NOAA precipitation predictions are correct and 7-8 inches of rain sweeps across northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, it is quite possible that by early next week all of the usual venues (Current, Jacks Fork, North Fork (of White River) and the Buffalo will be at or above flood stage.
Yep, rivers are rolling. The Buffalo is closed right now, and if not yet, I would think Jacks, Current, etc. will follow. Tons of rain in the Ozarks and even here in STL But first paddle day for most of us is a week away. I know there is more rain to come but as fast as these rivers come up they also go down, hopefully we’ll have great water and not too much! Look forward to seeing everyone. The waterfalls will be pretty.
Here are some of the things to take into consideration in making a decision about going to the Rendezvous on the Buffalo this coming week.
Make a brutally honest evaluation of your paddling ability and equipment.
- Do you have a boat that is appropriate for a twisty river with high and fast running water?
- Do you have the skill to control your boat under such conditions, especially when coming face to face with rocks or strainers without lead time?
- Can you make these decisions virtually instantaneously?
- Are you skilled in rescue and self rescue procedures?
Study information from the National Weather Service including their Hazardous Weather Outlook, Flash Flood Watch, and their Hydrologic outlook. Here’s a link to that information http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=ARZ012&warncounty=ARC101&firewxzone=ARZ012&local_place1=Ponca%20AR&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook&lat=36.0667&lon=-93.4012
Here is my summary of the latest National Weather Service information for the next week. I strongly suggest reading the information in the above link when making your decision on going to this Rendezvous. I added any boldface or italics
Note that from West to East the Buffalo River runs through Newton, Searcy, Marion, and Baxter counties (Ponca is Newton County)
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Little Rock AR 500 AM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017
ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-291000- Boone-Marion-Baxter-Fulton-Sharp-Newton-Searcy- …-
Saturday Through Thursday
Severe thunderstorm chances will continue on Saturday, mainly in the afternoon to evening … Large hail and damaging winds will once again be the main threats, with an isolated tornado possible. The potential for heavy rainfall will also exist, increasing the concern for flash flooding and river flooding. Expect 3 to 5 inches over mainly the northwest and northern half of the state with isolated heavier amounts Saturday through Sunday.
The widespread and very heavy rain may produce life threatening flash flooding. Also, area river levels will rise, and some river flooding will be possible. Interests along area waterways and rivers should monitor the weather closely this weekend due to the threat of possible flooding.
Forecast details are still being fine tuned, including where the stationary front will set up today and Saturday, and the timing of the rounds of very heavy rain. Please continue to monitor the latest forecasts from your National Weather Service concerning this potentially serious situation.
Flash Flood Watch
Flood Watch National Weather Service Little Rock AR 254 PM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017
Boone-Marion-Baxter-Fulton-Sharp-Newton-Searcy-…counties
254 PM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING…
The Flash Flood Watch continues for … NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS, Baxter, Boone, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Marion, Newton, Searcy, counties.
From 7 PM CDT this evening through Sunday evening
Much of the northern half of Arkansas is forecast to receive anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rain beginning tonight and lasting through Sunday morning. Elsewhere in central parts of the state, two to four inches of rain will be possible. Locally heavier amounts will be seen, and a few spots, especially in north central to northwest Arkansas, may see rainfall amounts in excess of five to seven inches. With this types of rainfall amounts, river flooding and flash flooding will be likely.
Evacuations of flood and flash flood prone areas may be needed, and those interests along Arkansas rivers will need to monitor this developing hazardous weather situation.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
If you are in the watch area, keep informed, and be ready for quick action if flash flooding is observed or if a warning is issued. Persons living in low lying areas along main-stem rivers should monitor the latest forecast and be ready to evacuate to higher ground.
Do not drive your vehicle into areas where water covers the road to unknown depths. Take a different route to reach your destination or wait until the water recedes. Remember, most flood related deaths occur in automobiles and flooding is the leading cause of weather related deaths.
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Hydrologic Outlook
National weather service little rock ar 330 pm cst thu apr 27 2017
…multiple rounds of heavy rainfall this weekend will likely cause River flooding next week…
Moisture levels will increase significantly over the next few days In response to a warm front lifting over the area Friday. A slow Moving cold front will slowly move through the state on Saturday and Sunday with heavy rain expected. Storm total amounts by Monday Morning are forecasted to be one to three inches over southeast Arkansas…with three to five inches over a large portion of central Arkansas…**with five to seven inches possible over the Ozarks and Portions of north and northeast Arkansas.
**
**Considering streamflow on the Buffalo…Spring…Black and White River systems are still high from recent rain events…this area will be at the greatest threat for moderate to major flooding. **Rivers and streams in the Arkansas river basin will likely see minor To moderate river flooding.
If your weekend plans involve traveling across the state…please be Aware that area roads may become covered in water. Remember if you Come across a flooded roadway to turn around don’t drown.
Maybe a day long High Tea is in order. Today the Buffalo actually had low water above Pruitt, but it changes so fast.
Low water crossings are lethal in high water.
I agree with Vic that everyone should know their own skill level, but I want to stress for anyone that is new to this group that we will NOT be getting on a flooded river or any overly high river., we all put safety first. We may have to wait a day or two for it to go down. Rain should be done Sunday, so fingers crossed that we can start paddling Wednesday or Thursday. The rest of the week doesn’t look too bad. Our plan is to still be there sometime Tuesday, unlike a lot of you that are retired and can vacation when ever I work for a small company and have to put vacation in at the beginning of the year, so come hell or high water (ha, ha) we’ll be there even if we don’t get to paddle everyday. Hope others make it, no matter what we seem to have a good time.
You forgot to say “God willing, and the creeks don’t rise.”
If the rain is pretty much done by Sunday afternoon, I think we will have a pretty good idea by 24 hours later what conditions will be like for the remainder of the week and following weekend. I was planning to drive down on Monday but will probably watch the gauges that day and hope to make the trip on Tuesday.
May be an opportunity to run that Boxley Valley section on Wednesday?
I’m already in Missouri - a long way from home. I was INTENDING to arrive at the Ozark campground on Monday morning, but now?? As I’m from somewhat “out of town” I’m not locally familiar enough with the area to know of possible alternative gathering/paddling locations. After driving from Alaska I’m not quite ready to just pack it in and head back home.
Driving down from Iowa, I had rain all morning, cleared somewhat just south of the Missouri border - but still a state away from the Buffalo. Higher water levels are still above my skill level… and I do have a new (to me) boat I picked up yesterday that I am anxious to paddle but in milder waters than a flooding Buffalo (or White or Current or …).
Brad
Well, I am perhaps being uncharacteristically optimistic, but I think there is a pretty reasonable chance that the Buffalo will be good by at least mid-week. It will likely be too high to paddle safely Monday, and perhaps Tuesday. There is a good chance of flooding on the Current, Jacks Fork, Eleven Point, and North Fork also, so there is no guaranteed safe haven.
I just got an email from Tom (Tazz) and Laurel indicating they plan to be at Ozark Campground Sunday night or Monday morning, in case you did not receive it.
We had plans to put in our appearance on Wednesday, and paddle on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday was a possibility if all was going well. So, we still have 4 days to see how it plays out.
This is known…
JoAnne is not going to paddle a murky, high volume river; she doesn’t have the skills or desire to do that.
I won’t sit around a boggy campground, twiddling my thumbs. waiting for the river to drop.
So, we can’t commit to yea or nay at this point in time.
BOB