Lakes Country Radio - Tahlequah OK

Float Guide

Float the Illinois River!  Get everything you need to know about where to float below!

Scroll down for current conditions from OSRC

All American Floats      
17170 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464

918.456.6949

Arrowhead-Thunderbird      
7704 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464

918.456.1140

Diamond Head Resort    
12081 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464

918.456.4545 or
800.722.2411

Eagle Bluff Resort      
9800 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464                               

918.456.3031 or
800.OK.RIVER
e-mail Eagle Bluff Resort

Falcon Floats                  
16326 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464                          

918.456.8058

Green River Floats             
13063 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464

918.456.4867

Peyton's Place Resort     
10298 Highway 10
Tahlequah OK 74464

918.456.3847

Sparrowhawk Camp  
21985 N Ben George Rd
Tahlequah OK 74464                                

800.722.9635 or 918.456.8371
e-mail Sparrowhawk Camp

ILLINOIS RIVER CLEAN UP 

Coming Friday July 10th - click here for details 

 

The following information is provided by the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission as a public service to ensure a safe and good experience while visiting the Illinois River Basin this weekend. 

 

ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN CONDITIONS

4th OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND FORECAST

(JULY 3, 4 AND 5, 2009)

Publish Date One-Day Earlier Than Normal Due to Holiday Weekend Beginning Thursday Evening

 

The following information is provided by the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission as a public service to ensure a safe and good experience while visiting the Illinois River Basin this upcoming holiday weekend.

 

River conditions are within the recommended standards established by the ILLINOIS RIVER ASSOCIATION (Commercial Flotation Device Operations) for safe floating.

 

Current Conditions 5:00pm Wednesday, July 1, 2009:

 

Illinois River

Water Temperature 28ºC / 82.4ºF

 

- Savoy, AR / Arkansas Highway Bridge – Level 2.70ft and discharge 15.2 cubic feet per second (cfs). Level falling

- Arkansas Highway 16 Bridge (Southeast of Siloam Springs, AR) – Level 5.46ft and discharge 229cfs. Level falling

- Arkansas Highway 59 Bridge (5 miles South of Siloam Springs, AR and 2 miles upstream of Lake Frances) – Level 3.29ft and discharge cfs N/A. Level falling

- Watts, OK / US 59 Highway Bridge (1 mile West of Lake Frances Dam) - Level 2.52ft and discharge 341cfs. Level falling

- Chewey Bridge (approximately 21.5 miles downstream of Lake Frances Dam) – Level 3.65ft (No cfs discharge data available). Level falling

- Combs Bridge (approximately 34 miles downstream of Lake Frances Dam) – Level 3.65ft (No cfs discharge data available). Level falling

- Tahlequah, OK / US 62 Highway Bridge (approximately 53 miles downstream of Lake Frances Dam) – Level 3.16ft and discharge 505cfs. Level falling Based on 73 years of record average water level is 3.10ft and discharge is 466 cubic feet per second on this date at Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge Gaging Station.

 

Cubic Feet per Second (cfs) = 450 X cfs = gallons per minute flowing by a given point (place such as a bridge). Example, if Tahlequah Gage on the Illinois River is 505cfs today at 5:00pm, then 450 X 505 = 227,250 gallons is flowing by the Tahlequah Gage every one minute.

 

Barren Fork Creek

- Dutch Mills, AR / Arkansas Highway 59 Bridge – Level 1.29ft and discharge 10.6cfs. Level falling

- Eldon, OK / Oklahoma Highway 51 Bridge – Level 5.77ft and discharge 125cfs. Level falling Based on 60 years of record average water level is 5.65ft and discharge is 118 cubic feet per second on this date at Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge Gaging Station.

 

Flint Creek

- Sager Creek (upstream of US Hwy 412 Bridge and west of West of Siloam Springs, OK) – Level 4.38ft and discharge 11.5cfs. Level falling

 

- Flint, OK / US 412 Highway Bridge (East of Kansas, OK) – Level 6.25ft and discharge 62cfs. Level falling Based on 49 years of record average water level is 6.20ft and discharge is 48 cubic feet per second on this date at US Hwy 412 Bridge Gaging Station.

 

Please note that Illinois River Basin levels and discharge flows have been higher than historical averages for the entire 2009 Spring Season. It is recommended that first-time and novice floaters utilize rafts for floating as there are some fallen trees and other debris in the river that may present a navigational hazard. Further, it is recommended that all individuals "float and swim smart from the start by wearing a personal flotation device (aka: PFD or Lifejacket) at all times while floating and swimming".  

 

The National Weather Service is forecasting for the Illinois River Basin this 4th of July Holiday Weekend:

- Friday, July 3rd High 99º and Low 72º, Partly Cloudy with winds out of the South at 10mph;

- Saturday, July 4th High 97º and Low 74º, Partly Cloudy with 20% chance of Isolated Thunderstorms with winds out of the South around 5-10mph; and,

- Sunday, July 5th High 92º and Low 70º, Partly Cloudy with 30% Chance of Isolated Thunderstorms, Winds out of the South 5-10mph.


Oklahoma Law requires children under the age 13 years must wear a Personal Flotation Device (aka: PFD or Lifejacket) at all times while floating
.  

Always Pack Out What You Pack In

Be Sure To Recycle And Dispose Of Your Trash Properly

 

 Trash bags are available to campers and floaters “free-of-charge” from Commercial Flotation Device Operations, River Rangers and Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Headquarters Building.

 

Other considerations for a safe float trip:

 

  • Be sure to inform the commercial flotation device operation if you or anyone in your party are a first-time or novice floater(s) so that they may pair you with an experienced paddler/floater or float you in a raft so there is a lesser chance for capsizing;
  • Wear a personal flotation device at all times;
  • Never swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions;
  • Do not float when river levels and discharge flows are higher than normal or at flood stage;
  • If you capsize, stay with your flotation device on the upstream side. Resist the urge to grab a fixed object don't get pinned between the flotation device and a rock or tree;
  • When tired, take a break on a gravel bar to relax;
  • Do not dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, streambanks and trees;
  • Do not swing on rope swings and jump into the water as there may be submerged logs and tree branches that could cause bodily harm;
  • Be sure to bring sunglasses, extra cover up clothing, hat and suntan lotion. The sun reflecting off the water will give a person without sunglasses a headache and the extra clothing gives an opportunity not to sunburn;
  • Be sure to take water, tea, Gatorade, other thirst-quenching drinks and peanut butter crackers or something similar snacks... Try to avoid beer and soda pops as they tend to dehydrate the body and alcohol impairs judgment;
  • Be sure to wear river wading shoes to ensure no cuts to your feet;
  • Never take anything on your float trip that you don't want to lose. Check your car keys with the commercial flotation device operation for safe keeping;
  • Respect the rights of fishermen and private property owners;
  • Camp only in designated areas. Avoid being trapped by rising water against bluffs or on gravel bars;
  • Do not tie flotation devices together as it against the law and violators are subject to fine;
  • Do not use profanity;
  • Do not use glass and Styrofoam containers;
  • Do not litter;
  • Shower with soap and water after swimming;
  • Wash cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming;
  • Wear ear plugs;
  • Wear swim goggles;
  • Take children to the restroom frequently;
  • Use swim diapers on infants;
  • Stay away from any area that has floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish;
  • Do not swim after a heavy rain;
  • Do not swim in water with a temperature greater than 80ºF;
  • Do not swim if you have cuts or scrapes;
  • Do not swim near storm drains;
  • Do not swim in stagnant (unmoving) water;
  • Do not swim in water with a green surface scum; and,
  • Do not ingest water.

Pursuant to enactment of Senate Bill 1381 during the 2nd Session of the 51st Oklahoma Legislature (2008), the public is NO LONGER REQUIRED to pay $1.00 User Fees for floating Scenic River Areas.

 

Before planning to visit the Illinois River Basin, always access 48-Hour Recreational Forecast, Illinois River Area Map and Floaters Guide before setting out on your floating trip by going to the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net. The 48-Hour Recreational Forecast "icon" has the Illinois River Association (commercial flotation device operations) recommended standards for floating children. The forecast site has interactive river map that changes colors with elevated river levels and matrix of recommendations at the certain levels.

 

Additionally, the OSRC Website contains a host of other informational items of interest related to Oklahoma Scenic Rivers


Thank you,

.  

Ed Fite, Administrator

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

PO Box 292

Tahlequah, OK 74465-0292

Office (918) 456-3251
Fax (918) 456-8466
Click here to e-mail

 

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