Gauge Description:

In years when the NF Kings is not spilling, (such as 2007) subtract about 30 to 40 cfs from the graph above, for minimum instream flow releases, then figure that flows in SuperDink! will be about 1/2 to 3/4 of the remaining flow. The actual ratio is unkown and will change a lot depending on the water year type and whether it is early or late in the season. Early in the season and in wet years the ratio will be low. Late in the season and in dry years the ratio will be much higher. (I think!)

This graph is for the online gauge on the NF Kings at Meadowbrook which is at 8000 feet elevation. This gauge should have a somewhat similar flow pattern as Dinkey, but will probably peak later and higher and stay high longer.

If the graphs do not show up, then monitor the estimate for Dinkey Creek at Dinkey Meadows which is based on the realtime flows reported for the NF Kings below Dinkey Creek at Dreamflows.com or CDEC. Flows in this section of Dinkey should be around 1/2 to 3/4 of the flow at the North Fork Kings gauge. The NF Kings itself is dammed and usually only provides about 30 to 40 cfs to this gauge, so all the rest comes from Dinkey except in wet years during spill.

Use your good judgement when you actually look at the creek. The highway bridge at Dinkey Campgrounds is a good place to compare flows. There is now a painted staff gauge under the bridge. The Infinislide is fun down to several inches below 1, but the rest of the run is probably better around 2 or more. Future parties should note the gauge level and report their impressions.

Because of comments received in 2007 from Leland Davis and others, optimum flow estimates for this section have been revised. The year 2007 is a critically dry year and estimates are that 250 to 350 on the NF Kings below Dinkey, gauge may be an optimum range. The previous estimates given may still be true in wet and very wet years or they may be in error or they may have been made by gonzos who really like super high water? Possibly a combination of the three factors.

In wet years you may want higher flows on the NF gauge for SuperDink. A trip on May 25, 2002 had a moderate flow when the NF below Dinkey Gauge was about 450 cfs and the Meadowbrook gauge read about 180 cfs. Another party on an unknown date reported that they had 300 on the NF below Dinkey, which was ok for the slides but too low for the rest of the run. Please post comments below with your trip date, your estimate of High, medium or low Flow and the gauge readings to help out other boaters.