NJ>Paddle Mullica River Sat 5/3? Water levels are rising!

[SilvrSurfr]

So who wants to go paddling on Saturday? Been watching the water-level monitors all day on the Mullica River and I got this irresistable urge to paddle. Maybe paddle with a raft of pallets behind my canoe. Looks like the Pine Barrens got 2 to 6 inches of rain - sounds like a ton of fun. I got two seats in my canoe available but just need someone else with a car to shuttle.

http://river-depth.com/graphs/01409400?period=1

http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=nj&id=ww_current

Peak stage right now at 2.14, discharge per second went from 105 to 185, the waterflow is 65% above normal for this time of year (over the last 55 years). And the water is rising. The forecast is to crest at 2.2 ft. but I think 3 is within our reach. I'll bet we got six inches of rain here on the Jersey Shore, so the Pine Barrens got pounded.

The forecast is sunshine! I gotta work Friday night, and walk the dog and such on Saturday, so I can't arrive till probably 3 pm. at Atsion. There are campsites available at Mullica River if we book soon.

The Mullica is plenty deep for the most part, and when I paddled it last week peak stage was 105 and paddling was fine. We saw three actual waterfalls on the lower half. Very cool.

[SilvrSurfr]

Dang, peak stage is at 3.39 and rising - forecasted to rise to 3.48, the highest the Mullica has been since 5/29/11. Lotta water out there folks.

[SilvrSurfr]

This river won't stop rising! It's now at 3.61. This water level doesn't happen all that often. It's the highest it's been in the last 365 days.

Nobody wants to paddle? I got a spare paddle and seat in my boat. Just need someone with a car to help with a shuttle. Ah well, I won't have to listen to the wife about me going out too much!

[Ratdog]

We were pounded here, flooded out and still are to some extent.
Can't get anyone to hit UPENN w/ me to check out Dr Hawass but may still be dealing w/ flood related issues Sat.

Will see how it looks tomorrow.

[SilvrSurfr]

I got my fishing license!

[aircoder]

Im hanging at Batona on saturday night but i can't make it out there until about 3pm due to work, so I'm doing a quick get away.

[Ratdog]

Ok, the lecture was sold out by the time I went to buy tickets.
Only other thing happening in town is a World Record Pub Crawl and those days are behind me.

Plenty of sites still open.
Still feeling it?

[SilvrSurfr]

Ok, the lecture was sold out by the time I went to buy tickets.
Only other thing happening in town is a World Record Pub Crawl and those days are behind me.

Plenty of sites still open.
Still feeling it?

Heck yeah, I'm feeling it! The Mullica River's up to 4.15 feet. We could have rapids! Did you know there are actual waterfalls on the Lower Mullica? Nothing more than a couple of feet but I was surprised to see two or three last week. I'm excited to paddle the river at these levels 'cause they don't come along often.

1. Your canoe or mine?
2. Is 2:30 arrival time okay? Get the permit from Atsion then shuttle a car to Batsto Village. Should be on the river by 4 at the latest.
3. Dehydrated or real food?
4. Is the fire ban lifted? I have some firewood I bought last week before I knew there was a fire ban.

[SilvrSurfr]

Last week it took us 4 hours to paddle to Mullica River camp and about 2.5 hours from Mullica River camp to the pull-out near Batsto Village. I imagine the current and high water levels will drastically reduce those paddle times (well, except for the part where the river overflows its banks and getting lost in some backwater is a possibility).

[Ratdog]

I know there are waterfalls, lucky enough to see a few. Especially after a rain like this. I am trying to recruit a couple folks now. Probably food in a bag was my thinking. I'm sure there's no fire ban.

Was thinking about paddling solo but let me see if I can talk anyone into coming.