Sheyenne River
Sheyenne River
Canoeing Recommendations Based on Streamflow and Stage
According to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department,
a flow of at least 400 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Cooperstown or a flow
of at least 80 cfs below Baldhill Dam is recommended for canoeing.
Boating Safety Resource Center - from the U.S. Coast Guard
Based on the Parks and Recreation Department's recommendations, the U.S. Geological Survey
estimates that a flow of 94 cfs at the Lisbon gaging station would be
adequate for canoeing in the Fort Ransom area.
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 Sheyenne River can be expressed as:
Gaging Station
|
Streamflow/Discharge
in cubic feet per second (cfs)
|
Stage/Gage Height
in feet (ft)
|
|
Cooperstown
(on right bank at Ueland Dam, 0.7 mile downstream from State Highway 200, and 5 miles east of Cooperstown) |
400 cubic feet per second
|
11.0 feet
This is not a National Weather Service flood forecast point
|
|
Current Streamflow: unavailable
Current Stage: 9.98 ft recorded 02/09/2012 at 21:00
|
Baldhill Dam
(on left bank, 0.7 mile downstream from Baldhill Dam, 8 miles northwest of Valley City, and at river mile 269.8) |
80 cfs |
24.1 ft
This is not a National Weather Service flood forecast point |
|
Current Streamflow: 66 cfs recorded 02/09/2012 at 21:00
Current Stage: 23.85 ft recorded 02/09/2012 at 21:00
|
Lisbon
(on left bank, 150 feet downstream from dam
at State Fish Hatchery at north edge of city of Lisbon, 3 miles upstream
from Timber Coulee, and at river mile 162.1)i |
94 cfs |
2.8 feet
National Weather Service
Flood Stage - 11 ft
|
|
Current Streamflow: unavailable
Current Stage: 3.05 ft recorded 02/09/2012 at 21:45
|
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 Sheyenne 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.
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|
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
