2023 Rafting Season Update
With summer in full swing and the rafting stoke high, we caught up with the folks at Whitewater Voyages to discuss this year’s record snowpack and what it means for rafting on the Kern River this year. Check out what they had to say…
How does this year's snowpack compare to previous years?
Almost unprecedented! The Kern River’s snowfields took the brunt of many of this year’s winter storms and stands very close to 400%+ of our annual average. It exceeds the huge snowpack accumulation of 1983 and may be the highest since 1969.
How will the snowpack affect water flows?
Big Water will abound at every turn this spring and well into the first month of summer! It’s only May 1st and the flows on the Upper Kern approached 9000cfs in the past 24 hours. We expect the Upper to peak somewhere in mid to late June this year. The Lower Kern is already flowing at levels unseen since the PEAK outflows in 1983.
After suffering through 17 years of a moratorium mandating restricted storage due to a project to upgrade the two dams holding back the Isabella Reservoir, the Corps of Engineers has finally completed the project and will allow the lake to fill to its design capacity. It could not have happened in a timelier fashion! The additional storage will be crucial but even at that, it’s projected the Corps will activate the original emergency spillway sometime in late May – early June. It’s going to be a wild ride, for a time, early in the season.
How long do you expect this rafting season to last?
Forever, seemingly! A “normal” season on the Kern River runs through Labor Day Weekend. This year, we won’t shift into high gear until mid-July. We expect to be running super fun One Day and ½ Day trips on the Upper Kern through September and our last overnight trip on the Lower Kern is slated to launch on October 31st! This historic snowpack will easily allow us to run trips year-round on the Lower Kern, but we expect folks will start thinking about Turkeys, Christmas Trees, and elves shortly after the last trip takes off the water on November 1st.
The long “tail end” of this amazing season will truly be something to experience. Shortly after the Upper Kern peaks, the river will present an extended period of time of ideal flows, crystal clear, warm water, and seemingly endless stretches of World Class Whitewater. All sections of the Kern River will be at their prime for months after the peak this year.
Are there any extra safety precautions that need to be taken during a big water year?
During the early season, this Big Water year will present with cold water and big rapids. We’ll run our fleet of larger rafts and pay special attention to placing our guests in the best and most sensible stretches of river.
Our guides have been training for the past month on and off the river refining their high-water guiding and swiftwater rescue skills and increasing their knowledge of the nuances associated with running high water river trips. We’ve always found experience, constant training, and lots of raw talent to be the cornerstones to a fun, successful year.
A key element in a rare year such as this is to know when NOT to run a stretch of river and we decided early on to curtail our trip offerings on the Lower Kern, the Forks of the Kern, and a good portion of the Upper Kern until the flows subside. We’ll still be able to run “kick-in-the-pants” ½ Day, One Day, and Lickety Split trips during the surge in May and June, but we’ll likely steer clear of the majority of runs until the river calms down a bit.
How does big water rafting compare to low water?
Rivers have multiple “personalities” depending on the level of water flow.
Early season high water moves FAST and can present large waves and hydraulics in a river channel filled with icy cold water. Wetsuits and Paddling Jackets are standard issue on bigwater trips. Reaction times are considerably diminished and the ability to make quick, sound decisions are crucial elements in securing good runs in Bigwater conditions. Many rapids that required numerous moves to get through in lower water flows are “washed out” and present big waves and “freight train” like speed. Trees are always a hazard to avoid with or without regard to water flows, but in high water conditions, extra special consideration must be taken to avoid them. If you’re not careful, your boat can stop on a snag, but the river doesn’t pause for a moment. You have to be “on your toes” and alert while on the river. That’s just some of the beauties and challenges high water trips offer.
Anything else that you think people should know about the 2023 rafting season?
First of all, it’s going to be a very special, long, and super fun season on the Kern River. It’s a year that has already brought many World Class River Guides to the Kern River Valley.
You can expect the Lower Kern to open up sometime in mid-July and run through October. The latter part of the summer is a beautiful time to visit and the rafting conditions will be PERFECT!
As for the Upper Kern, we’ll be running great trips this spring and throughout the summer, however trips on the majority of this reach of river will have to wait until July. . .but, they’ll also be amazing and run easily through September.
Most importantly, when camping or sightseeing, be super careful when close to the river this year! The absence of lifejackets, especially in conjunction with the presence of alcohol is a sure recipe for tragedy and no one is immune. Be smart, have a deep respect for the element, and use good judgement! Your life truly depends on it. Wear a lifejacket even if (if not especially) when you go in for a dip.
If you’re a private rafter, simply stay away from the river until it calms down. If you try to test your skills during the spring runoff, you’ll likely lose your equipment and have a miserable experience, if you’re lucky. Things will take a serious turn for the worse if you’re not trained and practiced at the water flows that are already presenting. Ideal flows for nonprofessionals will be in August or September. Be patient. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the river and enjoy ideal flows. . . it’s just going to be in the latter part of the season this year.
Choose a reputable outfitter when joining a river trip. Running this beautiful river is our profession and we’re experts well versed in all aspects of providing these experiences. It’s “what we do” and we’re honored and privileged to be able to do so.
Finally. . . make the time to experience this Word Class playground this year. It’s gonna be Awesome!