Minimum for rubber on Tot?

[Benji]

So I have a goob crew that is anxious to get their new raft on something besides the Mulberry. I would want to float from Ed Banks all the way to the visitors center but I'm not sure about what level is ideal to not abuse it. It's a 13ft self bailer and will not be near it's weight capacity. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Roger]

Looks like tomorrow is a go for you guys if you head down. Should have enough to do what you want!

[Benji]

Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to leave NWA in time to catch it tomorrow, so the plan was to camp and hit it early Sunday and then head home. There's a chance for rain between now and then but if the rain is a bust would it still be possible Sunday say if the level was as low as 3.5?

[Roger]

Probably not gonna be there Sunday for rafts. Peaked at 4.09' and leveled out. Doesn't look like that much rain based on my "sources" and the trees are sucking it all up right now. Great level for the other lucky souls most likely!! Most rubber pushed down at these levels are 12' or smaller. Gets more technical and the paddle out is flat and slow.

Just watch the weather and see what happens. Who know?

[Benji]

Yeah I was kind of worried about that, it is nearly June after all. Darn responsibilities! Well hopefully
they get a bit more rain down there between now and then and I can show the goob crew one of our premier rivers. Thank you so much for the info Roger, I do appreciate it.

[Roger]

Hey, Benji, you might have 4' tomorrow!!

[Lupe]

Actually, might be higher than that. The 246 gauge isn't showing it, but the falls were over 6' when we sent through today. Heavy rain fell below the 246 gauge. The feeder creeks were pumping big brown water into the Tot. River rose nearly a foot just while we were at Sand Bar Bridge!

[davidbob]

3.8

[hilbili]

DOH! for it

[Benji]

We decided to roll the dice Saturday afternoon and head down to the Sandbar bridge and camp.We awoke to what looked like a pleasantly surprising good level? About 6 inches under the bridge in the A.M.? Got to Ed Banks around 11 to see familiar faces and several new ones as well, a shuttle run and we were off! Goob Crew looked good through Zig Zag and the Esses and with each rapid seemed to build momentum and confidence. We finally made it to the Falls and after a less than thorough scout I ran down to the bottom of the Machine and climbed up the large rock to set up for the popular photo op. I watched them in the distance run down the first drop and then take a lesser explored line to the far left of Eye Opener? One side hung up and then spun the raft sideways as it went over the ledge and instantly as the raft dropped over it the other side went vertical and the 13fter with 4 occupants flipped like it was nothing. I scrambled towards my boat to grab my rope and happened to see Cowper, Harlan and a few others im not familiar with in the eddy below the Machine. I yelled out Swimmers!!! Without any hesitation they all kicked into gear and took up their spots that could not have been choreographed any better.Harlan went upstream and single handedly drug 3 of my friends to safety that were less than comfortable perched on a half submerged rock directlty above the Machine that held 3 people and an upside down raft.Cowper attached a biner to the throw rope and tossed it perfectly and instructed to attach it to the raft so we could try and swing it into the eddy.Within no time Harlan, Cowper, and several others had rescued 3 stranded swimmers, a raft, and all the yardsale gear from the wipeout. My rope was not long enough to accomplish what was needed and my position on the water isolated rock was less than ideal for anyone or anything. Absolute Kudos and thanks to everyone involed in this recovery,you all showed true selflessness and impressive skill where alone I could have only failed. We all agreed that we owe you much more than the lousy beers and thank yous. To everyone involed we thank you for your time,effort, and kindness(you even tried to help clothe a certain confused individual). I saw nothing but camaraderie and a lot of folks helping one a other. Thank you again everyone involved and if youre ever in NWA give us the chance to reciprocate the favor.I will try and post the GoPro pics Asap.

[Benji]

Oopps

[Cowper]

Other than the initial flip, that went exceedingly well! The one person who flushed through self rescued with an impressive aggressive swim, and then proceeded to assist by backing up Harlan. Everybody perched on the rocks stayed calm until Harlan could send out a few good throws to get them pulled safely back upstream one at a time. I really thought the raft was going to get flushed downstream before your friend could get a rope tied off to it so we could swing it into the eddy downstream, but your buddy managed to hold on just long enough.

Thanks for the report and photo!