Flow Rate

[steelheader007]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?04250200

it was 735 , and now 335 .. ok does anybody know is that thing works ..lol....

[Lil Salmon]

Hey Tom,
Check out the USGS Waterflow in the reports section. It is an actual water gage meter reading at pineville (which is about mid river between the DSR and the Hatchery) If you look at the bottom chart it will give a good up to date flowrate of the river. The Flowcast however is generally an extremely acurate "flow forecast". Although at times they may post a flowrate to expire at a certain date, and mid cycle raise or lower the flow. That is generally based on the needs of the power company, or how much rain and runoff the resevoir can hold.

I hope this helps. Anyone with some more insight for Tom please feel free to post and add to this explaination.

'Lil

[Hooker]

Tom,

I have been using the USGS gaging stations to monitor Delaware river flow conditions for several years. They are fully automated instrument stations that transmit real time hydrologic data, which is updated every few hours. I recently started monitoring the Pineville gaging station to obtain the actual river flow. I noticed the drop in flow curve on 9/17 you are inquiring about. The gaging station was probably not functioning correctly and has since been repaired because there has been no change in release (335 cfs) or sigificant rainfall. With the rainfall this weekend, you should see the curve rise as runoff increases. The Waterline flowcast data only gives you the current release from Lighthouse Hill Dam, not the actual flow in the river. Above the Pineville gaging station there is ****** and Beaverdam Brooks that feed the Salmon. So the flows measured at the gaging station include the flows from these two feeder creeks. Trout Brook is below the Pineville gaging station so it is not included in the flow data and will increase the actual Salmon river flow but cannot be monitored. Monitor the USGS Pineville gaging station for a while with changing weather conditions and dam releases and you will see the difference.

Fish while you can!

[Lil Salmon]

Hooker,
How big is this device?

[Dances with Salmon]

It's probablly the same as the station that is located on the Little Lehigh stream at the Robin Hood bridge in the Allentown Parkway. It has a sensor, transponder, transmitter, antenna and solar panel to keep the batteries charged.

[Hooker]

'Lil Salmon,

I have not seen the gaging station at Pineville yet, but they are an obvious structure. The stations on the Delaware river system are typically a vertical section of corrugated drain pipe approximately 24" diameter mounted to the riverbed and will stand above the maximum recorded flood elevation. On top of the pipe an enclosure is mounted which houses the flow transmitter, battery, solar panel, etc. The structure is rigidly designed and built to withstand severe weather, floods and ice. Great use of tax dollars in my opinion. Go to www.usgs.gov for more info. You can build your own custom real time hydrologic data table of your favorite river(s) that have stations and save it for monitoring anytime you wish. Several years ago I was monitoring the Kenai river in AK before I went to know what to expect.

Fish while you can!

[Lil Salmon]

Is the Kenai trip worth the investment? Was thinking about a trip for my dad and I for a suprise gift.

-Lil

[Hooker]

'Lil Salmon,

If you have not been to AK, yes it is worth the trip. As the matter of fact I am considering another trip to the Kenai to take my nephew. As my first trip to AK, I went with Hooksetters lodge (http://www.alaskahooksetters.com/). I met the proprieters at the Rockland Sports Show and they offered me a deal I couldn't pass up. I liked them and five of us went, we had a great time. We went the second week of September for big rainbow and the last silver run. The Kenai is rated as the fourth best big rainbow river in AK and there are some 30+" bows swim'n around in it. You fly to Anchorage and drive down to Kenai, what a drive, the scenery is awsome! Nick and Pam Fortney are excellent hosts and they will take you for rainbow, salmon and/or halibut. If you go, float the upper Kenai between Kenai lake and Skilak lake, you won't believe how many fish you will catch. I have since been going to the Bristol Bay area for big rainbow, but the price is a good bit higher. I'll be leaving next Friday for King Salmon to fish the Naknek and other rivers in that drainage. If you want further info, just let me know.

Fish while you can!