Perfect trip for waterfowl including Grey Huron, Snowy Egrets, Rock Gulls, and possibly birds of prey. Witnessed airborne kill of small victim bird by relatively small bird of prey. Spectacular! Lots of reeds and relative quiet above Dauphin Narrows. Keep current on hunting seasons! Lots of duck hunters during season! Makes for quite an interesting morning.
Relatively swollen river conditions made navigation challenging. Skill level slightly past my comfort zone. Would have been just right without wind, or in a narrower river. Definitely don't take loose/expensive gear under these conditions unless you are experienced. Rapids at Dauphin Narrows class II or II+. Stay Left at the Narrows!
Average River Conditions:According to Doug at Blue Mountain Outfitters, the stage at Harrisburg is measured in a pool that changes levels more slowly than the river. As such, the "stage" at Harrisburg may not represent the instantaneous level. Doug recommends using the flow rate as a more accurate guage of river conditions.
01570500-- SUSQUEHANNA RIVER AT HARRISBURG, PA
|
date |
stage (ft) |
flowrate (cfs) |
|
1999.10.02 |
4.9 |
30981 |
|
1999.10.03 |
4.6 |
25481 |
|
1999.10.04 |
4.4 |
22172 |
|
1999.10.05 |
4.6 |
24508 |
|
1999.10.06 |
4.5 |
23591 |
|
1999.10.07 |
4.3 |
19759 |
|
1999.10.08 |
4.1 |
17021 |
|
1999.10.09 |
4.0 |
14978 |