Pembina River
Pembina River
Canoeing Recommendations Based on Streamflow and Stage
According to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department,
a flow of at least 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Neche is recommended for canoeing.
A flow of 1,000 cfs at Neche corresponds, approximately, to a flow of 910 cfs at
Walhalla.
However, the USGS received input from a canoer in 2007 that the Pembina River could be canoed from the County Road 55 bridge to the Walhalla Bridge at 300-350 cfs.
Flows of 1,000 cubic feet per second usually occur only in April and May;
however, it is important to avoid dangerous flood conditions at that time of year. The river may be
canoed throughout the summer, but flows generally decrease during that
time.
Boating Safety Resource Center - from the U.S. Coast Guard
Data Interpretation and Recommendations
Each river, and each gaging station on a river, has a unique streamflow-stage
relation. This relation can be expressed in a rating table and may change
with time. Given the stage at a particular
gaging station, streamflow can be estimated using the rating table.
Likewise, given the streamflow, stage can be estimated using the rating table.
Using the
streamflow-stage relation, canoeing recommendations for the Pembina River can be expressed as:
Gaging Station
|
Streamflow/Discharge
in cubic feet per second (cfs)
|
Stage/Gage Height
in feet (ft)
|
|
Walhalla
(State Highway 32 bridge, 0.5 mile south of Walhalla, and 7 miles downstream from Little South Pembina River) |
Poor/Fair - 300 to 350 cfs
Good - 350 to 900 cfs
Excellent - 910 cfs
|
5.2 ft
National Weather Service
Flood Stage - 11 ft
|
|
Current Streamflow: unavailable
Current Stage: 2.26 ft recorded 02/09/2012 at 19:15
|
Neche (on right bank at
State Highway 18 bridge at northwest edge of Neche) |
1,000 cubic feet per second |
9.4 feet
National Weather Service
Flood Stage - 18 ft
|
|
Current Streamflow: unavailable
Current Stage: 3.68 ft recorded 02/09/2012 at 18:45
|
As river conditions
change due to natural events or human activities, the streamflow-stage relation
may change. As streamflow and stage decrease, the river becomes slower
and shallower; thus, canoeing will become more difficult and portaging around shallow areas may be frequent. As streamflow and
stage increase, the river becomes faster and deeper. Canoeing should not be attempted when the river is flooding. Observation of the river and
its streamflow or stage over time will help you
determine the optimal river level for your enjoyment.
How to Obtain Current Streamflow and Stage Data
Pick the gage/city closest to your desired canoeing route on the Pembina River. Click on the link
for that gage in the chart above; click on the button with the city name on the left side of this
screen; or click on the gage,
indicated by a red triangle, on
the map below. You will be presented with a chart showing the current streamflow discharge). Scroll down for another chart
showing the current stage (gage height).
To view streamflow for the last 18 months click on the links below. Data for the past 18 months are helpful
in determining the best time of the year to canoe a river.
Canoeing Home | Pembina River Home | Recommendations | Maps | More
|
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
