Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Riverbend is NOT wadeable rightnow! Caution

On 10/19/2012 08:23 AM, Eric Kruel wrote:

I was wondering if anyone could elaborate on using the USGS gauges to determine if the upper Potomac is wadable at any given time.  AlsoI  would like to know why you would look at cfs vs feet.  It seems to me like feet is something I can relate to more than cfs.  I would just like to have a better understanding when and where wading is a good idea and when I shouldn't bother.

CFS is more scientific, but feet seems easier to relate to for most people.
 At the littlefalls dam, 4ft is the definite danger zone for wading between little falls and great falls.  If it above 4ft I won't even consider wading.  3ft and below is comfortable wading for me, at least as comfortable as wading that stretch of the Potomac can be. 

Fletchers stops renting boats at 5ft (or is it 4 ft)

If you are wading that section between Little Falls and Great Falls, please be careful.  Above Great Falls I don't know if you can use the LF gauge as well. There are gauges at Point of Rocks and on the Monocacy that might give a better indicator.

Remember that 4ft at the dam transfers to quite a bit of water at other locations.  When the river gets above 10ft, it is fun to go watch it (from a distance).

Carl

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 4:45:40 PM UTC-4, TurbineBlade wrote:

Hi,

 

I tried Riverbend early this morning with my wife.  I checked the water levels prior and it appeared to be in the "normal" range -- http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/potomac.shtml

 

That said, when we arrived, parked at the nature center, walked the bootlegger trailer down the water -- boy, let me tell you that that water was moving fast and was deep!  I actually decided to try it against the wisdom of my wife (this is always, always a bad idea but I never want to listen for some reason) and it was treacherous.  You could barely keep yourself upright and there was no chance of wading out far enough to get a good cast. 

 

We decided to rent a canoe at the visitor's center down the road and the guy there said that water was moving pretty well and was about 8" higher than normal.  He said "yeah, I wouldn't recommend that you wade up the trail there (nature center) right now".  Go figure. 

 

So the noaa website above I assume is only for differentiating between "normal" and "probably doing to die" water levels on the river?  ;) 

 

No biggie -- just be warned that the water is pretty rough up there right now.  Is there a better way to keep track of the water levels?  The place looked pretty fishy, so I'd love to hit it when it's safer.  Renting a canoe was fun at riverbend....got a few bluegill, but no bass.  Strangely, much of it looks extremely rocky and would appear to hold bass, but we couldn't get into any and I didn't actually see one either.  Did see some carp and plenty of banded killifish though.  I guess we just haven't learned where the hot spots are around there. 

 

Well, I suppose if you're 7' tall and fill your boots with lead you might be okay.  Or bricks. 

 

Gene

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