Virgin River Runners Coalition
Defending River Runners' access and boating rights in the Intermountain West
News Items Previously Posted on the Main Page
News Items Previously Posted on the Main Page
April 2, 2004. Get all the main stem Virgin River flows on one web page. Click Virgin River flows for 7 stations on one page. This link is also available on the River Flows page.
Record March Heat Wastes Snowpack
April 1, 2004. Two weeks of record high temperatures have greatly reduced snowpacks. The warm weather in March was a boon for gardeners, but wasted western river snowpacks. Five years of drought have left soils extremely dry, so much of the snowmelt was simply absorbed by the soil. The good news is the very high elevation snowpacks (above 9500 ft) are still in pretty good shape. April 1 is the statistical peak snowpack for Utah. As of April 1, 2004, the Virgin drainage snowpack is only 51% of normal, the upper Coloardo 66%, and the Salmon 78%. San Juan mountain drainages (Dolores, San Juan, Animas) fare a little better at 72%. Other western snowpacks show similar figures.
USGS Study Links Sea Temperatures with Drought
March 17, 2004. Large-scale drought in the West may be linked to North Atlantic sea temps We have all heard how El Nino/La Nina cool/warm ocean temperature variations in the central Pacific Ocean can affect precip in the western US. Now USGS researchers have found a statistical link between large-scale drought in the western US with ocean temperature fluctuations in the North Atlantic Ocean. The US climate of the 1900's had three continent-wide wet and dry cycles that coincided with cooling and warming of the North Atlantic Ocean. Click here to read the full report.
Virgin Snowpack at 5-Year High
March 4, 2004. Good news for Virgin River runners! The storms of late February pounded the Virgin River high country, increasing the snowpack at most SNOTELL remote snowpack sensors by 50% or more.
The Virgin river drainage is now at 116% of normal, with more snow on the way. If this keeps up in March, the prospects for a good runoff on the Virgin are pretty good.
Middle Fork Streamgage Funding Cut
February 15,2004. The Idaho Statesman. As of October 1, 2004, funding will no longer be provided by the Naitonal Forest Service for the for the real-time streamgage on the Middle Fork Salmon River at Middle Fork Lodge, ID. The site is currently funded by the Forest Service, Idaho Department of Water Resources, and the US Geological Survey. River runners watch the online stage and discharge data in order to effectively plan safe trips on this popular Class IV river. The article posed a question about whether the Forest Service should use Recreation Fee Demonstration funds to support gages such as this. Users of the river are asked to contact the National Forest Service, Kathy D. Peter, Boise, ID, 208-387-1316 about the need for this site. ()
Grand Canyon Closes Waiting List
December 12, 2003. Press release from Grand Canyon National Park- Grand Canyon National Park is placing a hold on adding new members to the noncommercial river permit waitlist. As part of the current Colorado River Management Plan (CRMP) planning effort, park staff and planners are carefully examining and considering alternatives to the current waitlist permit system. An overwhelming majority of public comments stated the opinion that the permit system should be overhauled. With this in mind, park management does not want to perpetuate the current system while other alternatives are being considered. There are now over 8,000 people on the waitlist, and more than 1,000 are typically added each year. In the event that the current system is selected as part of the final CRMP decision, to be completed by December 31, 2004, the system for allowing additions to the waitlist would simply be reinstated.
Until a record of decision is made for the CRMP, current waitlist members will be served in the same manner as they have been in the past. They will soon receive the familiar annual letter regarding waitlist procedures, the schedule of release dates, and other topics. The River Permits Office may be contacted at 1-800-959-9164 or 928-638-7843.
Please go to www.nps.gov/grca for more information regarding Grand Canyon National Park. Information about the Colorado River Management Plan may be found at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp.
Virgin Snowpack Low Early
December 12, 2003. Snowpack in the Virgin River drainage is 76% of normal for this date, a dry beginning for another water year. The Virgin has not reached 100% of normal since spring of 1998. Not the start to the winter anyone is looking for, but a single strong storm could change things.
Bloomington gorge is Runnable!
December 2, 2003. Report from the field is the Bloomington Gorge (from Bloomington to the I-15 bridge in the Virgin River Gorge) is runnable on about 80 cfs. With low flows and few large floods, the tamis have squeezes the river channel, making it narrower and deeper. Most of the channel is 1.5 to 2 feet deep (with some shallows). Not much sun in the canyon this time of year, but it is paddling in so Utah.
Water Treatment Plant at Glen Canyon Dam Found to be Cause of G-I Illness in Grand Canyon
November 1, 2002--
The source of a mysterious water-borne illness that afflicted at least 130 Grand Canyon river runners this summer has been identified as the sewage treatment plant in Glen Canyon Dam. The plant treats waste water from the Glen Canyon Visitors' Center and facilities in the dam itself.
Piute Dam Work Nears Completetion
October 17, 2002--The first phase of remedial repairs to Piute Dam is nearing completion. According to Upper Sevier River Water Commisioner, Ray Owens (see the rivers and dams Ray is responsible for at www.sevierriver.org ), "They have replaced the old gate on the front of the dam with a new hydraulic gate so the inlet tunnel can be inspected. The control gates will be replaced with a new, larger hydraulic gate [this means higher flows will be possible--VRRC]. The slope of the downstream face of the dam will be decreased and a 40-ft wide berm added to the toe of the dam to increase earthquake resistance. We will be able to store water by the 1st of Novermber if all goes well and it has so far. Actual work began in late August and should end in the Spring. As far as next year. I'm sure we will be releasing water during the summer. Of course the actual height of the flows and the duration will depend on what kind of a winter we have."
Check out the Interactive Utah River Basin Streamflow Maps
We have hotlisted new interactive streamflow maps of the Bear, Weber, Jordan, and Virgin! River basins on the River Flows page. This is an easy way to check up on your favorite runs.
River Guide to Virgin River Now Online.
Check out the River Guide to the Virgin River now on our website. Gleaned from experiences gained during 20+ seasons of running the Rio Virgin, the guide is intended to provide an overview of access points, difficulties , and beauty spots along the course of the Virgin River as it winds its way from Zion Canyon to Lake Mead.
Updated and Revised River Runners' Guide to Utah and Adjacent Areas published.
A new and revised version of the "River Runners' Guide to Utah and adjacent areas" has been published by the University of Utah press. Author Gary Nichols, a VRRC member, has produced an updated version of the classic guide to Utah rivers. The new edition covers the big river runs, and adds new data on Big and Little Cottonwood Creeks, as well as new runs on some little-known creeks. This edition features new, crisp photos, along with updated info on put-in and take-out access. Southern Utah river runners will like the addition of Mammoth Creek, a little-known mountain gem on the Markagunt Plateau.
Gary was instrumental in convincing the National Park Service to keep boating access to the North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park. He has been kayaking for 35+ years.
The guide is widely available wherever boating gear is sold in Utah, or from the University of Utah Press.
Grand Canyon River Management Planning Comment Period Extended.
Grand Canyon National Park announced an extension of the written comment period for the River Management Planning Process. Originally scheduled to close September 20, 2002, the comment period has been extended to November 1, 2002. Additional public meetings have been scheduled for San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
The management plan will address river corridor use including, but not limited to: commercial and private river permits and alocations; use of motors on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park; the use of helicopters to ferry passengers in and out of the canyon. Complete information on the pCRMP planning p[rocess can be found at www.nps.gov/grca/crmp
Virgin at Bloomington Clear Again
The temporary causeway installed on the upstream side of Man-O'-War bridge earlier this summer has been removed. Replacement of the bridge deck is complete and the river channel is unencumbered with culverts. Gasto-intestinal Viral Outbreak Strikes Again.
August 5, 2002: Another outbreak of G-I illness has occurred in Grand Canyon. The latest incidence occurred on a commercial trip at mile 183. Reported symptoms are similar to those reported during an outbreak of Norwalk virus in June. --more--
Grand Canyon Resumes River Management Planning Process
Grand Canyon National Park has resumed work on a Colorado River Mangement Plan (CRMP). The plan will address the private permitting process, allocation of private and commercial river permits, motors on the river, and other river resource issues.
This will be the only time in the next 10 or 15 years when we will be able to modify the Grand Canyon permitting process. Your comments carry a lot of weight. If you think 20 YEARS!!! is too long to wait for a private permit, if you think a person should be able to make as many private trips as they like while on the waiting list, if you think motors should or should not be allowed on the river, NOW is the time to speak up.To let the park know how you would like the river managed, submit written comments before September 20, 2002 to:
CRMP Project
Comments may also be made by email. Send text-only email to grca_crmp@nps.gov
Comments may also be made by email. Send text-only email to grca_crmp@nps.gov
Public meetings will be held in Las Vegas, Denver, Flagstaff, Salt Lake City, and Mesa, AZ. Click here for complete listing of meeting times and places.
For official park information on progress of the planning process, go to CRMP home page
Other links to information: Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association, Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association
South-Central Utah River Company for Sale
Want to run your own life? Work and live in the outdoors? A small central Utah river company established over 10 years ago is available. For details, contact: 661-810-1284.
Fish Barrier Dam on Virgin River Completed
Subway Hikes Now Require Permit
March 18, 2002: Access to the Subway section of North Creek in Zion National Park will now be limited by lottery permit. Those planning a Subway hike must apply at least 30 days in advance of their departure date, wtih no guarantee they will receive a permit. To apply for a permit, call (435) 772-0170. For details of Zion permit fees, go to Zion permits.
The illness was earlier identified by the Center for Disease Control as a form of Norwalk virus, a water-born virus that causes acute gastro-intestinal illness and that is easily passed by human contact. Symptoms reported by commercial and private boaters in the Canyon (and one trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River) included nausea, diarhea, and vomiting.
Norwalk virus was identified in water samples taken at Lee's Ferry and at the outflow of the sewage treatment plant at the dam. No information is yet available to indicate whether the treatment plant was not operating correctly or if the particular strain of Norwalk virus is resistant to current reatment practices. The CDC and National Park Service plan further studies to determine the cause of the outbreak.
Grand Canyon boaters should practice stringent water-treatment methods to avoid drinking contaminated water. Trips which boiked their water were apparently unaffected by the virus. Iodine treatment is also effective against many viruses. At least one trip in September that carried water from Lee's Ferry and re-supplied with water from springs and side creeks reported no negative effects from their drinking water supply.
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O.Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Fish Barrier Dam on The Virgin just downstream of the I-15 bridge in Bloomington at about 100 cfs. Might just turn out to be a local play spot with some high water over it.