[Awclist] [Fwd: RRFW Riverwire - DIAMOND CREEK TO SOUTH COVE UPDATE]

[Thomas Robey]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	RRFW Riverwire - DIAMOND CREEK TO SOUTH COVE UPDATE
Date: 	Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:52:15 -0700
From: 	Riverwire <riverwire at rrfw.org>
Organization: 	River Runners for Wilderness
To: 	<Riverwire at rrfw.org>



RRFW Riverwire – DIAMOND CREEK TO SOUTH COVE UPDATE

January 11, 2007

As of January 9, 2007, Lake Mead's water surface stood at approximately 
1128 feet above mean sea level, almost 100 feet below the lake's maximum 
elevation of 1225.4 feet. The average lake level is 1163.8 feet. The 
historic minimum level of 1083.6 occurred in 1956 before Glen Canyon Dam 
was constructed. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that by September 
2007, the lake level will have dropped to approximately 1114 feet.

River runners traveling downstream of Diamond Creek will come to the end 
of river current approximately 200 yards south of Iceberg Reef. This 
area is about 3 miles above Sandy Point, 5 miles from the South Cove 
take out, and well into Iceberg Canyon. While there is good current all 
the way to the Iceberg Reef area, river runners are advised to keep an 
eye out for sandbars and other navigational hazards.

Erosion of lake deposits continues to cause the river to run muddy about 
two miles above Quartermaster Canyon at Mile 260, where river flows 
average a rate of 3 to 4 mph. The river is running clearer upstream of 
Separation Canyon at Mile 239.6. The Pearce Ferry riffle is mostly 
washed out, but by June it should be more noticeable then last year.

The river between Surprise Canyon at river mile 248.5 and river mile 263 
is informally known as "sandbar alley". The area of the "alley" with the 
most sandbars at this time is between Reference Point Canyon at river 
mile 251 and Quartermaster Canyon at river mile 259.

The Pearce Riffle gets more pronounced at lower river flows. New riffles 
have formed at Surprise Canyon, Spencer Canyon and Separation Canyon, 
where new side canyon stream gravel has pushed approximately ½ way 
across the river channel.

Campsite Update

Most campsites from Gneiss Canyon to Separation Canyon are open. The 
Spencer Canyon Camp is open on the gravel outwash of Spencer Canyon, but 
is prone to flash flooding. The camp at 241 is choked with arrow weed.

There is a large camp on cobble at Surprise Canyon, but this camp is 
also prone to flash flooding. There is a small camp at 253 Mile on river 
right. Access to the old Burnt Springs Camp is extremely difficult, 
requiring a climb up a twelve foot high silt bank.

Watch for rattlesnakes in this area.

Across the river from Burnt Springs near Quartermaster Canyon, there is 
a 3 foot high sandbar on river left for a small group, but this sandbar 
is becoming overgrown with arrow weed encroachment. River runners are 
reminded that all sandbar camps are susceptible to unanticipated 
flooding by upstream events.

A camp on a sandbar is on river right just below Dry Canyon at 264.5 
Mile but is mostly overgrown with a 5-6 feet bank. There is a sandbar 
camp at 273 Mile on river left, but is very small and very overgrown.

There is a sandy camp just above the Pearce Ferry riffle at 
approximately 280 Mile on river left. Any camp on river right in the 
area around Gods Pocket will have to be shared with fifteen to twenty 
head of range cattle. The last nice camp “on the river” is at South 
American Point on river left at approximately 285 Mile, across from 
Paiute Point at the mouth of Grand Wash Bay.

New sandbar camps have formed on river right, across from North Howland 
Cove at 291.5 Mile. The next large camp is on the left on Lake Mead at 
Sandy Point, just below 294 Mile.

South Cove Takeout Information

Bids have been accepted for improvement work at South Cove, including 
the construction of a new raft take out graveled ramp, two to three 
hundred feet south of the existing concrete ramp. At lake level 
elevation 1123, the main ramp concrete ends. This ramp may be extended 
with metal fabric or concrete.

Until the above improvements are completed, all river runners taking out 
at South Cove are requested to use the gravel area on the south side of 
the concrete ramp. River runners are asked to be patient and 
understanding in the de-rig area as Hualapai, concessions and public 
rafters are all taking out in the same area. River runners are 
encouraged to maintain as small a take-out footprint as possible, and to 
de-rig as quickly as possible. Early morning take-outs are recommended 
in the high use seasons of late spring, summer and early fall, to beat 
the heat and avoid crowds of late afternoon river and lake traffic. 
Daytime temperatures in the heat of summer can reach 115 degrees.

National Park Service Rangers note that no camping is allowed on the 
South Cove ramp and take-out area, or the public swimming area just 
north of the concrete ramp. Camping is allowed outside the harbor area, 
and is available one-quarter mile downstream (south) of the concrete 
ramp below the rock jetty just downstream of the take out.

The Mead View SCAT (toilet wash out) machine, will open in March after 
the end of overnight freezing temperatures. The entire machine may be 
updated by next year for increased ease of use.

General Information

The Hualapai Nation is strongly requesting that Diamond Creek put-ins 
and take-outs occur before 7 am or after 10 am.

Helicopter and tour boat activity continues to increase near 
Quartermaster Canyon. An operational fleet of 5 to 6 power boats doing 
20 minute trips for helicopter passengers from Grand Canyon West plies 
the section of river around 260 Mile daily, with intense helicopter 
activity in this area sunrise to sunset.

The NPS does not advise night floats due to the potential for collision 
risk with other watercraft and or submerged trees.

If a night float is undertaken, National Park rangers would like to 
remind river runners that you must have a person on watch with a lantern 
or flashlight ready to warn oncoming boats. Any boats with a motor 
running (only four stroke motors allowed), whether tied together as a 
single craft or running as separate craft, must have navigation lights 
displayed red/green on the front and a white 360 degree light at the 
stern (back of the boat visible 360 degrees).

Concessions jet boat takeouts will be operating from South Cove to 
Separation Canyon starting end of March. While USCG regulations state 
that downstream traffic has the right of way, downstream river runners 
should be on the lookout for fast moving up-running traffic, especially 
around blind curves. Use caution to avoid collisions.

Large navigational hazard sandbars are just above the Bat Cave about 266 
Mile and by Dry Canyon at 264.5 Mile. At Dry Canyon, the river channel 
is to the outside of the Dry Canyon corner on river right then goes hard 
to river left at 264.5.

Be aware of snakes in the heavy riverside vegetation, especially when 
tying up rafts.

The lake below Iceberg Reef can be rowed, but be aware that it's full-on 
lake with no current from Mile 292 to South Cove at Mile 297. Also, 
rowers should be ready for upstream afternoon headwinds in the range of 
5-15 mph, with gusts up to 30+ mph possible.

River runner trash can be deposited at the Cerbat Landfill on the drive 
to Kingman on highway 93. The landfill turnoff is at mile marker 60, and 
the landfill site is 2 miles north from 93 up the Mineral Park road. 
Landfill hours are M-F 7 to 3, Sat 8 to 3, closed Sunday. Landfill fees 
are $29.75/ton cash or local check only, with a minimum load fee of 
$5.85 for 300 pounds or less.

All trailers and box trucks are being inspected at Hoover Dam, and box 
trucks and trailers need a clear aisle down the middle of the load for 
visible inspections of 80% of the load.

For additional information and answers to specific questions about the 
Diamond Creek to South Cove section of Grand Canyon, please contact the 
Mead View Ranger Station at 928-564-2918.

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