Drought may not hurt whitewater rafting season
By Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle
In the strange and continuing saga of California’s weather and water, the three best whitewater-rafting destinations — the South Fork American, Tuolumne and Middle Fork American — should have sensational conditions this summer in spite of the drought.
The rivers are not expected to be in crisis in spite of the record-low Sierra Nevada snowpack, 8 percent of the historical average and the lowest measured in 65 years of records.
The numbers show that Northern California’s winter was not so dry as it was warm. So warm that it rained more than snowed in the high country for most of the winter, although rainfall totals are still below average for most of the state.
You can get or refresh your river safety and rescue skills later this month right here at LTCC. The Wilderness department is once again offering our 4 day Swiftwater Rescue course geared toward paddlers, guides, river enthusiasts and professional rescuers.
Don’t get complacent about river safety, the low water we will see at times this summer usually creates or exposes more hazards then high water years do. Get or refresh your training today, and have a great season!
Course details: WLD 141 (Sat 4/18, Sun 4/19, Sat 4/25 and Sun 4/26 from 0800-1700 daily)