June 29, 2009

2009 West Rosebud Creek Flow Program Announced

Exciting news for western Montana paddlers. Click the link above and read American Whitewater's summary of the new West Rosebud Creek flow program for 2009. It's pretty complicated, so give it a close read and help spread the word!

Thanks to Andy for the heads up and to Kevin at AW for the summary.

1 comment:

Brian said...

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the 2009 release program for West Rosebud Creek, located in Montana's beautiful Beartooth Mountains. The Mystic Lake Hydroelectric Project has historically reduced paddling opportunities on the Creek. American Whitewater and Beartooth Paddlers are working closely with the dam owner and other interests on developing a water release program that mitigates these impacts by replacing lost paddling days.

Specifically, the 2009 flow program is as follows:

During the descending limb of the West Rosebud Creek spring hydrograph:

When the Wednesday noon stream flow reported on the USGS Streamflow Gauge West Rosebud Creek near Roscoe MT (#06204050) is greater than 400 cfs, no white water flow enhancement will be provided.

When the Wednesday noon stream flow reported on the USGS Streamflow Gauge West Rosebud Creek near Roscoe MT (#06204050) is between 286 cfs and 400 cfs, PPLM will endeavor to release 500 cfs for 5 hours from the West Rosebud Lake Dam on the following Saturday and Sunday.

When the Wednesday noon stream flow reported on the USGS Streamflow Gauge West Rosebud Creek near Roscoe MT (#06204050) is between 250 cfs and 285 cfs, PPLM will endeavor to release 500 cfs for 5 hours from the West Rosebud Lake Dam on the following Saturday only.

When the Wednesday noon stream flow reported on the USGS Streamflow Gauge West Rosebud Creek near Roscoe MT (#06204050) is less than 250 cfs, no white water flow enhancement will be provided.

White water releases from West Rosebud Lake Dam will begin at 7:30AM. Peak flow (near 500 cfs) will reach the Emerald Lake Outlet at approximately 11:00 AM and will continue for approximately 2.5 hours, gradually reducing to pre-enhanced base flow conditions thereafter.

In summary, if you are interested in paddling West Rosebud: check the roscoe gage, if it has already peaked (look for the peak on the graph or check the AW site) and flows are between 286 and 400 cfs on a Wednesday at noon there will be water released to provide optimal boating flows on both days of the following weekend, if flows are between 250 and 286, there will be optimal flows on Saturday only. If flows are below 250, there will not be optimal flows or releases, and if flows are above 400 flows may "naturally" be optimal but there will be no additional release.

IMPORTANT: Upper West Rosebud Creek (the section commonly paddled) is entirely on lands that are open to public enjoyment. Below Pine Grove Bridge, the lower section of West Rosebud Creek flows through private property. Paddlers attempting this section should be aware that several rapids and/or logs will likely require scouting and/or portaging. Landowners are very cordial, but ask that paddlers not scout or portage above the high water mark without prior permission. Please respect the wishes (and rights) of private property owners on lower West Rosebud Creek. If you have any questions about your ability to scout and portage in the active river channel, please contact a paddler with experience on this section prior to paddling it.