April 10 isnt necessary for a cut off
but we have a four day drive to the Buff and a three day drive to the North Fork so something that allows us to sorta be on time helps.
We can find a Disco somewhere.
We will be offline during travels so an April 23 decision would be awkward.
Scheduled arrival
Bill, I expect to arrive in Jasper the evening of the 24th (Sunday) and move to Ozark campground Monday morning. I’m driving from the west coast (not direct from Alaska), so travel time could be influenced by several variables (like weather, road construction, accidents, traffic) like all the folks traveling shorter distances. Paddle Tuesday? You bet.
Brad
Sounds like a plan
Brad, good to hear you’re returning and getting in early like me. I look forward to touching base with you once again. Bill
planning on going
I just got back from SouthEast Asia and want to make sure of the campsite - The Ozark Campground on the Buffalo - I see per the map there are only 31 spots.
Just checking so that I get to the right spot, plan on getting there late Monday April 25th. Can’t wait, I’ve always wanted to kayak the Buffalo
Vicky
Pay attention
Cause the venue may move if the water level is too low
We often share sites 31ought to be plenty
Update
In order to provide as much lead time as practicable for people traveling long distances to the Rendezvous, I will call the Rendezvous destination on this thread on Wednesday, April 20.
I will be monitoring both river levels and weather forecasts leading up to April 20, primarily to make my best guess as to what river levels will be.
Right now based on the forecast and current river levels I believe there will probably be enough water to float the Buffalo.
The AccuWeather long range forecast for Ponca, as of Wed., April 6 indicates that there should be periods of rain prior to the Rendezvous.
Here is a link to AccuWeather web page forecast for April http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ponca-township-ar/72670/april-weather/2091686?monyr=4/1/2016
Long range forecasts such as these are not reliable but should give us some picture of generally expected conditions. While they give temps, sky cover, and precip, they do not forecast the amount of precip expected or the winds. Based on the information I can find as of today my concern would be the possibility that river levels may become too high rather than too low. But with such long range forecasts that is just a guess on my part at this time.
Rain and/or thunderstorms for April are forecast for the following dates:
April 11,12,13,14,16,17,19,22,23,24,25,26,27
Rendezvous Week Weather forecast as of today is:
Mon, April 25, high 70, low 55, cloudy with a bit of rain
Tue, April 26, high 70, lo 55, rain
Wed, April 27, high 66, low 55, overcast with a bit of rain
Thur, April 28, high 70, low 55, clouds giving way to some sun
Fri, April 29, high 75, low 56, sunny with a shower in the afternoon
Sat, April 30, high 76, low 56, mostly sunny
Sun, May 1, high 76, low 56, sunny with a shower in the afternoon.
Buffalo River Levels and Floating Conditions in feet on USGS gauges
Ponca (Ponca Gauge) http://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/ponca_river_gauge.html current level 2.55
Very Low … below 2.0
Low but floatable … 2.0 to 2.4
Ample water to float … 2.5 to 4.9
Experienced floaters only … 5.0 to 6.0
Flood stage, river closed … over 6.0
Pruitt (Pruitt Gauge) http://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/pruitt_river_gauge.html current level 4.82
Very Low … below 4.4
Low but floatable … 4.4 to 4.7
Ample water to float … 4.8 to 6.6
Experienced floaters only … 6.7 to 8.0
Flood stage, river closed … over 8.0
Tyler Bend (St. Joe Gauge) http://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/stjoe_river_gauge.html current level 6.16
Very Low … below 3.6
Low but floatable … 3.6 to 4.5
Ample water to float … 4.6 to 8.5
Experienced floaters only … 8.6 to 12.5
Flood stage, river closed … over 12.5
Stay tuned to this thread for further updates.
Good job Vic!
I for one appreciate your efforts on our behalf.
BOB
Thanks Vic!
Now bring on the rain but not to much!! Looking forward to the Buffalo and seeing everyone!
Nice job, Vic.
And now we all have someone to blame if we don’t get rain.
Maybe I should import some
its been snowing/raining for a while. The lakes are going out of bounds since ice out two weeks ago.
You da man!!
That is very helpful. Thanks!!
Bigfoot siteing
I am hopping for a Bigfoot siteing in Ozark on Monday and would be able to hit the water on tuesday. I will flush a few extra times and send some more water down.
Doing much better
I return to work next week for the first time this year .my rehab sessions are over . My left arm wrist is doing much better but still have weakness in the wrist … It may be an issue for me to get vacation approved as I hear some at work are having problems with that… Also my old dog keeps nudging closer to that day I’m not looking forward to … So I’m still up in the air but hope to be able to attend … It has been so windy here I haven’t got a canoe out yet but hope to soon…I’m currently on a heart monitor because I came home with A Fib. But hopefully after wearing this thing will get me off of warfarin and that would be a plus … I’ve been walking a lot 10 miles so far this week but have only been able to lift for a couple weeks so my upper strength isn’t there yet …Hope to see you all soon
Update Tuesday morning April 12th
A bit less rain in the forecast, but strong thunderstorms are forecast for April 18 and 19.
River levels are currently rated low but floatable at Ponca and Pruitt, but rated ample water to float at Tyler Bend. Depending on the amount of rain added to the river by the thunderstorms forecast for April 18 and 19 (should they occur) it looks to me like Ponca is sitting on the edge of being doable, but from Pruitt down is looking OK.
Meanwhile I am keeping up my rain dance, but to paraphrase Paul McCartney in Helter Skelter: "(I) may be a lover but (I) ain't no dancer."
Below is the AccuWeather forecast for Ponca for the rest of April. Here is a ink to that forecast http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ponca-township-ar/72670/april-weather/2091686?monyr=4/1/2016
AccuWeather forecasts rain and/or thunderstorms for the following dates in April:
17,18,19,20,28,29,30
Rendezvous Week Weather forecast as of Tuesday, April 12, 2016 is:
Mon, April 25, high 76, low 54, cloudy
Tue, April 26, high 71, lo 57, cloudy
Wed, April 27, high 71, low 52, cloudy giving way to some sun
Thur, April 28, high 69, low 51, partly sunny with a couple of afternoon showers
Fri, April 29, high 74, low 56, cloudy with a shower in the afternoon
Sat, April 30, high 73, low 57, cloudy with a touch of rain in the afternoon
Sun, May 1, high 76, low 56, considerable cloudiness
Buffalo River Levels and Floating Conditions in feet on USGS gauges current levels as of 7:45am, Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Ponca (Ponca Gauge) http://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/ponca_river_gauge.html current level 2.28
Very Low … below 2.0
Low but floatable … 2.0 to 2.4
Ample water to float … 2.5 to 4.9
Experienced floaters only … 5.0 to 6.0
Flood stage, river closed … over 6.0
Pruitt (Pruitt Gauge) http://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/pruitt_river_gauge.html current level 4.49
Very Low … below 4.4
Low but floatable … 4.4 to 4.7
Ample water to float … 4.8 to 6.6
Experienced floaters only … 6.7 to 8.0
Flood stage, river closed … over 8.0
Tyler Bend (St. Joe Gauge) http://www.buffaloriverchamber.com/stjoe_river_gauge.html current level 5.33
Very Low … below 3.6
Low but floatable … 3.6 to 4.5
Ample water to float … 4.6 to 8.5
Experienced floaters only … 8.6 to 12.5
Flood stage, river closed … over 12.5
Stay tuned to this thread for further updates.
Thanks again Vic!
Thanks for the update. 2 more weeks!!!
My thanks, too, Vic
Been following… I’ll be leaving the west coast of Oregon on the 19th headed east, plan to be in Jasper on the 24th. Hoping the rain clouds dry out by the 25th after bringing water levels up a bit.
Brad
Two weeks away and getting in the mood
Getting in that Buffalo River state of mind with my favorite river song "Buffalo River Home" by John Hiatt off his excellent "Perfectly Good Guitar" album.
Have a listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im-ssehAPgQ
rain dance people NM
Forecast
There is a 20% to 50% chance of rain in the Buffalo river area starting this sunday through Friday the 22nd.
Who knows? There might even be enough water above Ponca for the bold & adventurous to run the Hailstone section. You’d want to wear your “big boy” pants for that.
BOB
