Flow

All river flow data was taken from Biggara using historical data. All saw decreasing flows during their journey.

My journey between 21 Dec and 24 Dec 2019 had a water level of between 0.23 m to 0.26 m and flow of 161 to 201 ML/day at Biggara. This was barely enough water and I was dragging the kayak for nearly 50% of the trip. My journey had the lowest water levels by far of all of the trip reports that I have found, flows in the lowest 2% recorded since 1968 and the lowest December flows bar 2006 during the Millennium drought. 🙁

Uncertain on the exact dates, but Xavier Anderson and Jason MacQueen seem to have done the Poplars to Tom Groggin mid-Nov 2019 where there was a height of 0.5 m and a flow of around 650 ML/day. No mention of any issues due to low flows.

Mike Bremer, et al, journey took just two days, 14 & 15 Dec 2017 with 4 times the flow. Water level of between 0.62 m to 0.64 m and a flow of 908 to 967 ML/day. No mention of the need to drag their inflatable kayaks, other than over occasional boulders.

Rod Wellington, 6 to 12 Jan 2008. Slightly unclear when Rob past Tom Groggin, but his blog suggests a harder time than I had. Water level of between 0.34 m to 0.42 m and flow of 269 to 367 ML/day at Biggara. While he had a higher flow, it was likely a heavier kayak and load that resulted in significant amounts of dragging.

James Castrission, et al, in 10 to 15 Nov 2001 took 5 days while facing high flows and frigid temperatures as they pack surfed (no floatation device) their way down. Water levels were between 0.94 m to 1.18 m and flow of 1,674 to 2,890 ML/day. One of the highest recorded flows, they suggest class 3 rapids.

Kevin Moody, et al, 26 to 29 Jan 1988, on lilos. Water level of between 0.37 m to 0.45 m and flow of 229 to 349 ML/day. Even with the higher flow of 349 ML/day, they reported the need to drag their lilos on a regular basis, especially above Tin Mine Ck and in the final sections before Tom Groggin.

Level of 0.8 m is listed as the minimum level, and 1.0 m as a good level on waterwaysguide.org.au and given a class 3/4 grading.

The archived Paddle Australia guide recommends 0.80 - 1.80 m with the additional note to add 0.35 m to the Bigarra readings to estimate the Murray Gorge level.

Most of the previous trip reports seem to have fallen in the 0.4 m to 0.8 m range as seen at Bigarra, but no indication given on grade. Ro & Josh noted low flows at 0.4 m & 355 ML/day.

Even never having done any form of rafting / whitewater before, I can safely say the difficulty / grade is not that high at 0.2 m!

These are based only off a small handful of known trips and should only be used as guidelines. No high flow trips were found.