True that no one could have run it pre dam, but they could have run it at pre dam levels, since between 1966 and 1992 (when the Grand Canyon Protection Act kicked in and mandated a minimum flow), the dam operators occasionally dropped releases down to around 1,000 cfs. The Lees Ferry gage data show that on 12 different days in 1977 and 1979 the average daily flow was less than 1,000 cfs. It's possible that no one was on the river at the time. But after I posted this, a reader said they did the Grand in the late 1980s when the flow dropped to 2,500 cfs for a short time. They came across Dubendorf rapid at that level, and deemed it unrunnable. Flows kicked back up by the next morning and they went through it. I haven't heard any similar anecdotes about Crystal, though.
Jonathan, thanks for keeping your head out of the sand and your eyes wide open such that you so skillfully distill the saga of Colorado River water consumption for all of us. I like to think that each batch of information helps a few more folks better understand the situation and informs their decisions. Bonus, if those folks can actually influence stewardship of the water and the river. Bonus, bonus if it inspires others to tell stories that reach everyday communities and citizens. Also, thanks for the smiling pups last week and the solar panels bright spot!
Crystal Rapid was created by a flash flood in 1966, so I guess no one has seen it at pre dam levels.
True that no one could have run it pre dam, but they could have run it at pre dam levels, since between 1966 and 1992 (when the Grand Canyon Protection Act kicked in and mandated a minimum flow), the dam operators occasionally dropped releases down to around 1,000 cfs. The Lees Ferry gage data show that on 12 different days in 1977 and 1979 the average daily flow was less than 1,000 cfs. It's possible that no one was on the river at the time. But after I posted this, a reader said they did the Grand in the late 1980s when the flow dropped to 2,500 cfs for a short time. They came across Dubendorf rapid at that level, and deemed it unrunnable. Flows kicked back up by the next morning and they went through it. I haven't heard any similar anecdotes about Crystal, though.
Jonathan, thanks for keeping your head out of the sand and your eyes wide open such that you so skillfully distill the saga of Colorado River water consumption for all of us. I like to think that each batch of information helps a few more folks better understand the situation and informs their decisions. Bonus, if those folks can actually influence stewardship of the water and the river. Bonus, bonus if it inspires others to tell stories that reach everyday communities and citizens. Also, thanks for the smiling pups last week and the solar panels bright spot!
Could solar panels over canals be placed on tracks for easy mobility when need for maintenance or repair are necessary?