Float the Buffalo National River

Kayaker Attacking an Upper River Rapid

Today the Buffalo National River is slammed with floaters.  We have finally broken out of cold weather and floating conditions are ideal.

For information on river conditions and floating recommendations there is no better source than the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce.  Check out the list of floating outfitters and river conditions.

Spring Float on the Buffalo National River

4/20/12 Rain Clearing, Elk Viewing Very Good, Wildflower Season at Lost Valley Done

Good elk viewing in the Boxley Valley today. Elk love rain and they don't like the sun except in cold weather. Today's conditions are perfect for them. Cool and overcast, with some rain.

The bull elk are in early velvet now. I saw some this morning with antlers nearing a foot high already. Most were just starting. Did you know that the elk antler growth rate is considered remarkable even to biologists?

Lost Valley wildflowers are at the end. Most of the show now is along the roadsides. There are good photos to be had. Dogwood trees peaked last week. There are some still in bloom, but most have dropped their petals now. It is quite early to be done. I suspect today's 51st Dogwood Tour was not up to the average for most years by a long shot. The 50 odd dogwoods on our land are done with just a couple of exceptions.

It looks like the weather will clear this afternoon. The amount of rain predicted fell a bit short. If you are planning to float, all floating will be from Pruitt and points downriver. There are middle and lower river floating opportunities. Learn about the river levels, and the outfitters on the Buffalo River Chamber website. The first link also provides topo maps with GPS coordinates for the entire length of the river.

11/9/11 Elk Herd Location Map

Cool weather had the elk back in Boxley Valley this morning. Typical of a November day I had the place to myself. Elk viewing was very good.

The herd in the first Ponca field was quite large. They were not only in the field, they were in the woods bordering the field. I would estimate the group at nearly 40 animals. The herd bull is still in rut. This is the same herd that has been working the fields around the Ponca Access now for a week or so on and off.

The first all-bull herds are forming. This morning the bull herd was down by the intersection of 43 and 21.  I am marking these all bull herds with a capital b following the date like this "11/9B" as distinct from just regular dates for regular herds. Read yesterday's post to better understand the late rut transition to sex-based herds.

Looks like the elk viewing weather will be pretty good through the weekend. I will check and report on the elk herds tomorrow and again on Saturday AM.

The Buffalo National River is running pretty good now after heavier-than-predicted rains last night. Check out floating possibilities and river levels at the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce website. This website has everything you need to know about current river levels with real time USGS gauges for the entire river, along with free printable topo maps, and a links to floating outfitters.

Start with Ponca, other gauges are mid page on the same page. Here's the link. This is a great opportunity to do a fall float. Fall color is good in many places. Some outfitters float year round.

Buffalo River Conditions -- 5/3/11 Update

Update 5/4/11 PM  Lost Valley will be re-opened before bridge repairs are completed. Visitors will be allowed to wade across Clark Creek.

Update 5/4/11   Steel Creek campground is now open.

April turned out to be a very tough month weather-wise. Toward the end of the month we got into an amazing wet weather pattern that sent the Buffalo National River into flood stage 3 or 4 times, depending on how you look at it.

We received 14.7 inches of rain in April, mostly at the end of the month, and 2.7 inches of rain the first two days of May. 17.4 inches of rain has saturated the ground. River levels remain high as this is written but are returning to excellent floating conditions by tomorrow.

Waterfall fans will want to visit, but check first on what destinations are still open. Lost Valley is not open. If you go to back country locations, 4wd is probably essential.

There has been significant damage to the Buffalo National River. Lost Valley campground is closed. At this time there is no target date to get them back on line, but they are the top priorities.

There will be more to report in a few days. With the ground saturated it is impossible to accurately predict when work can begin. The good news is that there is no significant rain in the forecast.

The Buffalo River will return to excellent floating levels for everyone in a day or so. The cold weather appears to be ending as well and this coming weekend promises to be nice weather in the upper 70's.

The park will have a report on the plan for repairs later this week. At that time I will write a more in-depth report on the plans to restore the park to full function.

I encourage everyone to visit the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce website for up-to-date information on river levels and floating conditions. Call any of the outfitters and learn first hand about conditions. As this is written, Tuesday May 3rd, the Ponca Gauge shows the river returning to normal floating conditions probably within the hour.  http://buffaloriverchamber.com for up-to-date information.

More information coming in the next few days.