Skagit water level

[scraig1962]

Anyone know how the river looks around Burlington or Mt. Vernon? I heard it was low but is it really as dry as they are saying it is? The article in The Seattle Times said the popular sand bars including the soccer fields are dry. Is the gardner launch area fishable with a prop? Just trying to plan ahead. I might try to rig up some oars on my lake boat if the river is really that low.

[Mike Carey]

We have a link to the Stream Flow web site. It's on the black menu bar, Links, then USGS Stream Flows.

Here is the direct link. It will have the Skagit listed:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current?type=flow

[Norm]

Its at August levels, which is fairly low. If you look at the MV gauge it has been holding a few hairs above 13ft. The lowest I have ever taken the boat out at gardner is 10ft on the MV gauge. It was a few falls ago and it seemed like a good idea but as I got closer to the tracks it really shallows up and theres logs everywhere. Its not a good feeling zoomin by and seeing logs right under the water wonderin if the next ones going to take your prop. Dont go down to I-5, you will end up on a beach in the middle of the river. You might want to consider getting a prop protector, they save a lot of props. I have hit many logs n bars and am still on my first prop.

[scraig1962]

Thanks guys. Thats where I get the river levels also, but I didnt have a good baseline to compare to. Ive been there in August and I was running into logs right under I-5 so I will stay closer to gardner if I go next week when sockeye opens. I will look into a prop guard, but im starting to think I need a 3rd boat now with a jet just for rivers lol.

[Norm]

Last time I looked a prop guard was cheaper than a jet sled haha

[scraig1962]

Last time I looked a prop guard was cheaper than a jet sled haha

Ya true.
I might just try to run with the trim up a ways next week. Do you run the ring style like this: http://www.propsavers.com/Prop%20Saver.html

[Norm]

No mines the river runner. I have hit 6 or 7 logs, 3 gravel bars and a driveway. It was money well spent.