spring flows

Already thinking about the next trip with the boat and I was wondering what the spring flows were like.  I'd rather run the boat with higher water (750 was great).  I'm guessing that flows can be real nice and fairly clear/green with the snow runoff as long as there is no big rain events? 

spring flows were low this past year; it all depends on snow fall amount and weather cuopled with timing. once initial snow melt begins salmo is right. water can become very clear but it also brings the temp down which i have found to be a factor in putting the fish down.

Some say the melt cools the water--I think the real culprit is the chemical composition of the run off----3/4's of the vehicles in Oswego Co are leaking at least a qt of some fluid/wk.

ORIGINAL: metalslayer

Some say the melt cools the water--I think the real culprit is the chemical composition of the run off----3/4's of the vehicles in Oswego Co are leaking at least a qt of some fluid/wk.

a good joke, but highly doubtful if you are serious... the cubic foot of snow that melts in tug hill compared to square foot of roads is basically a one part to million ratio. besides, most of the run off comes from the east in the foot hills of adirondacks, not oswego county. oswego county run off is a peon of the water the salmon river recieves.

as i said before, one part per million at most. i've noticed before hte final thaw begins, if it's a thick freeze, the water will actually warm before the ice starts to melt with the sun getting higher every day, and the bite is usually very hot at this time. as soon as that ice begins to trickle, the water temp goes right back down, which in turn as always shuts fish down especially when it was starting to warm and then drops instantly. i've seen many times too the ice mekt from underneath the river banks before any street run offs due to the warming water. and then what happens... the fish start to set up on their spawn which adds significantly to the shut down (in reality the main reason why they shut down). compare the surface area of the entire drainagebasin to the surface area of the roads that are within it... i would bet that the roads take up maybe .5 percent of the total drainage basin... then keep in mind the retention and filtration that takes places from fields, woods and trees that take part. as i said, one part per million at most... colder water temps and fish begining to spawn is the real reason; this takes place in any anadromous stream on any coast or lake... let's face it too, when the water goes up over 1200, the fish spread out as well.. fortunately i have spots that i have fished successfully up to 3000 cfs, but there aren't too many, and i don't recomend it to anyone who isn't sure of themselves or the water they fish....