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How Punch Brook Looks with Different Water Flows Fortunately, I have been able to paddle this course at levels from 700 CFS to 4500 CFS. For safety and course efficacy I am planning to cancel the Punch Brook race if the water is significantly above 2000 CFS flow. Because this years runoff pattern is going to be unpredictable, I urge you to revisit this web site the Thursday before the race weekend. I will post my official decision at that time. The views below are a conservative indication of the entire race course - many of the other features above and below are more effected by the flow than these are. Also, check out 300cfs flow and 720cfs flow pictures. |
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| About the lowest flow I can tolerate, although the race has been run lower. Fortunately, we can sometimes get a supplemental release from the MDC to augment natural runoff. In 2000, we recieved 400 CFS additional for a total of 1100. It brought an unpleasant level up to almost nice. |
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| This is looking upstream near the center of the course at a pair of rocks that I frequently use for upstreams or to guide boats down the river. The flat rock in the center is a great upstream - it can be approached from right or left and can be exited on either side too. There are interesting features downstream in both directions. |
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| The same view with 300 CFS more water. Everything is still there, but with a little bit more "push". The features downstream are still there, but the eddy toward river left is fairly washed out. |
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| More water, and the eddy in the center is pretty turbulent. Good for closed boats but a pain for open boats. The eddy behind the rock just in front of the dock is too narrow for most bigger boats and the eddies downstream are either washed out or in the trees. Too much water for a safe race. |
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| This time I'm looking downstream at the same rocks. I couldn't repeat the old viewpoint because the water was well into the trees. Almost everything is completely washed out. A dump here will result in a long, cold swim. Fortunately, the river flattens out for a while below the race course. |
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