How do you judge the depth of a pool below a waterfall or any drop? If it's real aerated, is it shallower? And if the water is green is it deeper?

i think in judging pool depth a lot of mysteries are still there...

first of all, there's nothing better then getting into the pool and checking it out..unfortunately this is not allways possible..

there are many different issues which will determine the depth...

what angle the water comes in
what kind of rock
what kind of curtain
what amount of water (also consider flood times)
how much of an outflow (less outflow will mean debris wont get pushed away that easily)



usually the stronger the water enters the pool, the 'cleaner' it will be in the area, thus it is best to go with the flow.. but (another one) obviously not all waterfalls can be run that way...

aeriated.. what kind of aeriation...big bubles, small bubbles, does the water 'bulge' (rocks further down in the water) up or spray up (very negative)...

there is actually no real way to describe an issue like this but to say you should be very considerate of the things around the waterfall, very experienced in reading water features and nevertheless make very sure that there wont be anything down there...

check with a bamboo pole/long branches/tied together paddles (if they are available), send down a probe (not your buddy but a log/tied together bamboos), give it a long long look, as water gets deflected in various pattern on time but best is to have someone along with a lot of experience in dropping it (with brain) before comitting yourself to anything higher then 3-5m/10-15ft....

below that range you will usually deflect of rocks without too much damage (if you use a solid creekboat) but (and again) there are still many factors of getting pinned, or if you wont land flat (i consider boofing up to 5ms decently safe) eg sideways, upside down that you will destroy your chances for a modeling career seriously....


on a waterfall, believe your eyes, keep them focused and consider the worst case scenerios before moving...

obviously, it always looks easy and doable on video as they are usually pros and have build enough experience and judgment to attempt falls...also it looks easy when your 'leader' shows you a line (if he's a competent boater)...consider your own strengths, focus and abilities...

there's no point thinking that you just fall of and nothing wont happen (even if it looks that way sometimes)...considering the amount of people attempting waterfalls (not many) and the experience they have (usually plenty), the amount of people getting hurt is comperatively high in consideration to river running...


anyway...nothing better then going out and having a blast running waterfalls...the rush after success is great and the tension before it aswell...



enjoy

Wow , GREAT post!