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caps
Since 23 Dec 2010
347 Posts
Obsessed
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 Mon Apr 30, 18 6:21 am Rufus current guide |
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I was wondering if someone could pass on their Rufus wisdom and report where you look up the river flow and what that means to me when kiting Rufus. I’ll admit that I’m kinda lame at reading flows and knowing how that would affect my fun at Rufus. I know the basics of big flow means little kite, bye bye board if I lose it for a second and etc. Help please with reading flows! Like when to go and when to go elsewhere.
Cheers!
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1490 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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| Mon Apr 30, 18 7:27 am |
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This is the website for the John Day dam at Rufus.
It shows how much water is flowing out of the dam.
Normal summer flows that produce great swell are 200,000 - 250,000.
If the flow is 250,000 - 290,000 it takes a lot of wind to make smooth swell.
If the flow is above 290,000 - I don't bother going there.
Right now it's at 343,000.
https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/textPlot.cgi?id=JDAO3&pe=QR
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moondog
Since 15 Aug 2007
706 Posts
white salmon
Addicted
CGKA Member
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| Mon Apr 30, 18 7:37 am |
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We can always depend on you Laird! The Gorge.net web cam is missing for the HR sandbar any other options?
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Jonpnw
Since 22 Jul 2010
1327 Posts
Pacific Northwest
XTreme Poster
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| Mon Apr 30, 18 7:42 am Laird for the Win ! |
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Thank you Laird !!! 
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Join the Columbia Gorge Water Sports Association. http://gorgewindsurfing.org/ |
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caps
Since 23 Dec 2010
347 Posts
Obsessed
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| Mon Apr 30, 18 7:42 am |
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| ldhr wrote: | This is the website for the John Day dam at Rufus.
It shows how much water is flowing out of the dam.
Normal summer flows that produce great swell are 200,000 - 250,000.
If the flow is 250,000 - 290,000 it takes a lot of wind to make smooth swell.
If the flow is above 290,000 - I don't bother going there.
Right now it's at 343,000.
https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/textPlot.cgi?id=JDAO3&pe=QR |
Awesome info! Thank you!
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1490 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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bigjohn
Since 13 Mar 2012
664 Posts
Addicted
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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lewmt
Since 04 Aug 2010
182 Posts
MT
Stoked
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| Tue May 01, 18 4:28 am |
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Thanks ldhr!
So - say the wind is 7M on a given day anywhere you want to go & river flow @ Rufus is 325+, do you prefer going east or west from there?
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1490 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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| Tue May 01, 18 7:05 am |
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| lewmt wrote: | Thanks ldhr!
So - say the wind is 7M on a given day anywhere you want to go & river flow @ Rufus is 325+, do you prefer going east or west from there? |
The spring runoff higher current does not adversely effect Atown or the Hatchery portions of the river the way it effects Rufus/the Wall. Either east or west should be ok even in periods of high current. Same for the Rowena - Dougs stretch - it will still be good.
I live in Hood River - so if it's blowing 25 in town I stay here and kite up to Swell City.
Spring winds tend to be smootherer the further east you go.
Smooth wind = smooth swell.
Gusty wind = choppy swell.
Last edited by ldhr on Tue May 01, 18 7:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bigjohn
Since 13 Mar 2012
664 Posts
Addicted
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| Tue May 01, 18 7:22 am It aint straight up CFM |
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As a kiter that is habitually on a quest of that elusive smooth rolling swell that Rufus will tease us with like a child teasing a cat with a flashlight I have to say that river flow is not the only factor in the equation. It is a large contributing factor however.
Other large contributors are:
1) wind speed - must be gusting at least 40... If you want to make a decision based upon a number use that one.
2) smoothness - if it's gusty the rollers just don't seem to form.
3) frequency alignment - somehow there is a harmonic that syncs between the two opposite forces of wind and river current. When that frequency aligns it is pure heaven.
Over the years I have had some amazing sessions early season during high flow times.
Even those epic days we all remember where we rode the same overhead glass swell for 5 minutes as it slowly rolls it's way towards the dam are really just a compilation of tiny spurts in time.
You might be out there for 5 hours and only have 45 minutes of epicness. The rest of the time it is just blown out.
My point is if you decide to skip Rufus simply because you looked at some numbers you are likely missing out on some of the best kiting moments in the gorge.
I don't know how to predict when epicness will land at Rufus, but I am confident that simply showing up is a basic requirement.
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Kiting starts at 40MPH |
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Ho-Toe
Since 30 Apr 2014
233 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist
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| Tue May 01, 18 2:23 pm Re: It aint straight up CFM |
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| bigjohn wrote: | | ...but I am confident that simply showing up is a basic requirement. |
Amen to that.
I this age of instantaneous gratification and push notifications, it's easy to forget that one must put in the time in order to reap the rewards.
Old guy out... 
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lewmt
Since 04 Aug 2010
182 Posts
MT
Stoked
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| Mon May 14, 18 3:23 pm |
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| Quote: | I this age of instantaneous gratification and push notifications, it's easy to forget that one must put in the time in order to reap the rewards.
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Agreed. But - not being a local limits the opportunities. Driving over from MT on Wed/Thu and just hoping to not waste unnecessary time driving, after driving 14 hrs to get there. Ideally I'd love to stop short at 3Mi(have kited there) or Arlington(haven't kited there) but not sure how current high flow levels will affect those spots. Or - should I keep rolling west & focus on HR area? Looks like Rufus isn't an option this trip based on info above?
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jiberus
Guest
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| Mon May 14, 18 7:49 pm |
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| lewmt wrote: | | Quote: | I this age of instantaneous gratification and push notifications, it's easy to forget that one must put in the time in order to reap the rewards.
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Agreed. But - not being a local limits the opportunities. Driving over from MT on Wed/Thu and just hoping to not waste unnecessary time driving, after driving 14 hrs to get there. Ideally I'd love to stop short at 3Mi(have kited there) or Arlington(haven't kited there) but not sure how current high flow levels will affect those spots. Or - should I keep rolling west & focus on HR area? Looks like Rufus isn't an option this trip based on info above? |
I am planning to be at Roosevelt (other side of the river from Arlington) on Wednesday and Thursday. Higher water level-no problem. River is wide there, so I don’t think current causes any issues, except maybe bigger swells. The forecast looks pretty damn good so far. Roosevelt has grass, picnic tables, showers, and free camping. Although, not much in the way of food or restaurants.
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lewmt
Since 04 Aug 2010
182 Posts
MT
Stoked
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| Tue May 15, 18 4:26 am |
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| Thx for that jiberus....sounds like a great option & likely see you there.
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wylieflyote
Since 30 Jun 2006
1648 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster
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| Tue May 15, 18 5:31 am |
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RE: Roosevelt
Slightly highjacking this. Over the years I've rigged numerous nearly new kites at Roosevelt and come home with pin-hole leaks in the LE. Be aware that there's some kind of alien burr in that grass. Love the place. Coming back soon.
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Kip Wylie |
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jiberus
Guest
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| Tue May 15, 18 7:23 am |
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| wylieflyote wrote: | RE: Roosevelt
Slightly highjacking this. Over the years I've rigged numerous nearly new kites at Roosevelt and come home with pin-hole leaks in the LE. Be aware that there's some kind of alien burr in that grass. Love the place. Coming back soon. |
Kip. It is me who puts those holes in your kites when you aren't looking. I am sick of you kiting circles around me and jealous of you spending the winter in LV! 
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