Wanted: River rating source

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Carol
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Wanted: River rating source

Post by Carol »

Please don't consider this a dumb question!

I'm trying to locate Web sources for River classifications, i.e. definition of class 1 through class 5. I've been unable to find information on the ACA web site, or AWA, or the Red Cross. I'm sure it's there, I'm just not going about it correctly! This is the reason why I need a citable Web address, the following was included in an article in our local newspaper, the article was stating that running a river is like running a business.

California rivers are rated class 1 throughV. Here's a quick description of river ratings to help you decided the type of river trip-or business-that is right for you:

Class I-easy flow with no rapids.
Class II-mostly slow with a few splashes of water
class III -- exciting, moderate whitewater but with relatively low chance of spills.
Class IV -- heavy white water, boulder gardens, moderate soaking, medium -to -good-sized drops.
Class V -- maximum whitewater, steep drops, massive waves, complete soaking.
Enjoy


And this was written by somebody who supposedly prided herself on her whitewater safety skills. I'm putting together a letter to the editor, and to the author of the story, because of the misinformation.


Yes, I did a Google search on river ratings, but wasn't completely satisfied with the sources that came up . I was able to find the international definitions from the Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club web site, but was hoping for references from any of the above three organizations.

Thanks, Carol

PS found the AWA ratings..........
Gary B
Pain Boater
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Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:10 pm
Location: Kingston, On

One version is:

Post by Gary B »

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Swimming is pleasant, shore easily reached. A nice break from paddling. Almost all gear and equipment is recovered. Boat is just slightly scratched.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Swimming to eddies requires moderate effort. Climbing out of river may involve slippery rocks and shrub induced lacerations. Paddles travel great distance downstream requiring lengthy walk. Something unimportant is missing. Boat hits submerged rock leaving visible dent on frame or new gash in plastic.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid. Water is swallowed. Legs are ground repeatedly against sharp, pointy rocks. Several eddies are missed while swimming. Difficult decision to stay with boat results in moment of terror when swimmers realize they are downstream of boat. Paddle is recirculated in small hole way upstream. All personal possessions are removed from boat and floated in different directions. Paddling partners run along river bank shouting helpful instructions. Boat is munched against large boulder hard enough to leave series of deep gouges. Sunglasses fall off.

Class IV: Advanced. Water is generally lots colder that Class III. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise swimming in turbulent water. Swimming may require “must” moves above dangerous hazards. “Must” moves are downgraded to “strongly recommended” after they are missed. Sensation of disbelief experienced while about to swim large drops. Frantic swimming towards shore is alternated with frantic swimming away from shore to avoid strainers. Rocks are clung to with death grip. Paddle is completely forgotten. One shoe is removed. Hydraulic pressure permanently removes waterproof box with all the really important stuff. Paddle partners running along stream look genuinely concerned while lofting throw ropes 20 feet behind swimmer. Paddle partners stare slack-jawed and point in amazement at boat which is finally pinned by major feature. Climbing up river bank involves inverted tree. One of those spring loaded pins that attaches watch to wristband is missing. Contact lenses are moved to rear of eyeballs.

Class V: Expert. The water in this rapid is usually under 42 degrees F. Most gear is destroyed on rocks within minutes if not seconds. If the boat survives, it is in need of about three days of repair. There is no swimming, only frantic movements to keep from becoming one with the rocks and to get a breath from time to time. Terror and panic sets in as you realize your paddle partners don’t have a chance in hades of reaching you. You come to a true understanding of the terms maytagging and pinballing. That hole that looked like nothing when scouted, has a hydraulic that holds you under the water until your lungs are close to bursting. You come out only to realize you still have 75% of the rapid left to swim. Swim to the eddy? What #%^&# eddy!? This rapid usually lasts a mile or more. Hydraulic pressure within the first few seconds, removes everything that can come off your body. This includes gloves, shoes, neoprene socks, sunglasses, hats, and clothing. The rocks take care of your fingers, toes, and ears. That $900 dry suit, well it might hold up to the rocks. Your paddle is trash. If there is a strainer, well, just hope it is old and rotten so it breaks. Paddle Partners on shore are frantically trying to run and keep up with you. Their horror is reflected in their faces as they stare at how you are being tossed around! They are hoping to remember how to do CPR. Climbing out of this happens after the rapid is over. You will probably need the help of a backboard, cervical collar and Z-rig. Even though you have broken bones, lacerations, puncture wounds, missing digits & ears, and a concussion, you won’t feel much because you will have severe hypothermia. Enjoy your time in the hospital, with the time you take recovering you won’t get another vacation for 3 years.

Class VI: World Class. Not recommended for swimming.
Cumnock
Proprietor - Walden's Ridge Whitewater
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Post by Cumnock »

Gary B

Where did that come from! :)

I would love to use that for the WaldensRidgeWhiteWater.

Did you write that?

And can I have permission to use it : )
Tim T
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Post by Tim T »

User avatar
Marc Evans
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Post by Marc Evans »

Carol:

Check in any whitewater rescue book. In Walbridge and Sundmacher's Whitewater Rescue Manual the definitions are on page 182.

You can also find it in the AW at the link

http://americanwhitewater.org/content/W ... :start?#vi

Marc
Gary B
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Location: Kingston, On

Post by Gary B »

No I didn't write it. I'd seen it in our canoe clubs news letter years ago. I Googled " White water river rating revised". and found it on a web site.
Carol
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Post by Carol »

Gary B and Marc,

Maybe I needed to to be a little bit more clear regarding my initial post.

I know what the ratings are, and they are available in the majority of my whitewater books. My issue is, that I want a citable source-Web address that I can use when I do my letter to the editor. Ideally, such as a nationally known organizations such as American Red Cross, America Canoe Association, or American Whitewater.

When I Googled, I was able to find plenty of sources from clubs, etc., but again, I wanted to use a more "official" site.

Gary B, loved your rapid descriptions!



Carol
cadster
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Post by cadster »

Marc's AW link gives you that. Look at the TOC on the right-side.

It's amusing to note the listed rapids that have been downgraded in ten years.
Louie

Post by Louie »

You could get it off the outhouse wall and it would be more athoriative than the American Kayaker. You need to point out to the editior anyone who has taken the time to write down the river class ratin doesn't spent enought time on the water. Sorta like a Canoe instructor.

" Lookin at a class V is like lookin at porno, I might not be able to define it but I know it when I swim it"
Cumnock
Proprietor - Walden's Ridge Whitewater
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Post by Cumnock »

Louie is dead on

AW ratings are antiquated in my 2 cent opinion...rapids and gear have come a long way

I think you should "compare" rapids to others using baselines

here is our rating system for the WaldensRidgeWhiteWater site using baselines.

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/c ... tion1.html
Larry Horne
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Post by Larry Horne »

hmmm, I think the article desriptions are good. short and sweet and to the point.
ACA should revise theirs!
Larry
Carol
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Post by Carol »

I revisited the AWA web site, and looked at their classification for the Trinity River, California, Cedar Flat to Burnt Ranch gorge section, which they rate as a class IV-V run. I then read their definitions of a class IV-V, and I think it's a fitting description for the run.

And compare that to the description in a newspaper article, and maybe can see why I'm all fired up about it. She defines class IVI as: heavy whitewater, boulder gardens, moderate soaking, medium to -- good-sized drops. In my opinion, her description isn't anywhere close to what AWA says. I think my whole point is, if some silly, polite word for stupid, person saw her description, they could get themselves and to a whole lot of trouble.

Another reason I'm so fired up, is that several miles below the Burnt Ranch Gorge run, is a popular swimming hole, where this spring, the community lost another young man to drowning . They were still doing flush flows from the dam around 4500 CFS, water was reported at 56°, air temperature above 80°, and this was a class one section of river. Previous year, there was another drowning in the same area, similar situation. Altogether, I believe there about five drowning deaths on the Trinity River since 2005.

Oh well, thanks for everybody's input. Maybe I just need to take a deep breath and not worried about it.

Larry, have you been to the Trinity River and boated the Burnt Ranch gorge section? If so, how do you think AWA's class IV ratings fit this run.
Larry Horne
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Post by Larry Horne »

I've been up there quite a few times. I consider it a class IV/V run with lots of IV and a couple class V- rapids.
Class IV-V is a HUGE range though, seems everything falls in there. Most people consider the ranch on the easy side of that. Lots call it a IV.
Larry
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ckingoc1
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Post by ckingoc1 »

Cumnock wrote:Louie is dead on

AW ratings are antiquated in my 2 cent opinion...rapids and gear have come a long way

I think you should "compare" rapids to others using baselines

here is our rating system for the WaldensRidgeWhiteWater site using baselines.

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/c ... tion1.html

Damnit, I still a class III boater! :(
Louie

Post by Louie »

quit bitchin it gives you something to shoot for, remember when we found you were still in a barge.
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