Rushford Lake Outlet

from a post on FLOW Paddlers' Club message board...-------------------------

hoppyski:-------------------------
Re: Rushford Outlet-------------------------
Oct 3rd, 2006, 12:50am -------------------------
We figured the release was 1200-1500 cfs. There was a good 700 cfs coming from the bottom of the dam and two sluice gates open 12 to 18 inches coming over the waterfall. Check the Portageville gauge & the upstream Wellsvillle gauge Sunday afternoon & evening and subtract 5 hours to get water from Cacadea to Portageville. The work crew cut the flow back some when I was changing after the run at the putin (1:30 PM) -------------------------

To find the old bulldozed logging road that Zig Zags down to the putin start about 50 feet to the left of the DO NOT DUMP Sign as you enter the parking lot. Only one deadfall to scoot over and rope boats down the last pitch. -------------------------

There was so much water that there were waves and holes all the way down. Even a surf wave under the takeout bridge that you had to carry over a gravel bar to get upstream to (or have Dave tow you). -------------------------

If you can catch them there are lot of one-timer waves and a few holes to avoid or play all the way down but he water is very pushy and few eddies. -------------------------

At that level Big Nasty is appropriately named: a riverwide keeper for any boat, big or small. I don't think there is a punchable spot. -------------------------

I ran far left to miss the hole but kissed a rock and spun just above the hole. I thought I had missed the hole backwards but it just reeled me in, and shot me across the river-right super keeper. There are big feeder curlers both left & right. Dave said he couldn't see me, boat or paddle but was yelling for me to pull my skirt. I never heard him, but after survival surfing for a short time figured that was the only way out and sooner was better that later. -------------------------

I pulled my skirt and window-shaded and swam. I luckily only got one turn in the washing machine when everything was ripped out or off but my fillings. My tow rope was pulled out of my Salamander waist throw bag and the filter water bottle out of my boat. -------------------------

Dave said my boat looked like it found a home and was celebrating with cartwheels. Eventually it flushed and Dave dropped it off to me. -------------------------

Don't tell Norm about the hole or he will neglect his house work to go try surfing it. -------------------------
Phantomboater:-------------------------
Re: Rushford Outlet-------------------------
Oct 3rd, 2006, 11:58am -------------------------
I can vouch for Big Nasty........When Tommy C takes his glasses off, and puts his nose plugs on, then tells you to 'get the ropes ready, I'm going for a ride'. Sometimes it's so sticky, you have to pull them out. I went extreme river left, and barely punched my way through the end curlers last year. Sounds like the water was even higher last weekend. I know I would have walked around that one for sure. Glad to see you get out of that, Hoppy. And when we get on it, we'll keep an eye out for any paddle or other gear on the way down.