**ABRFC Recreational Forecast Graphics**

**Part I - Mission Connection**

a\. [Product Description]{.underline} - The National Weather Service
(NWS) is the agency responsible for issuing river forecasts and flood
warnings for the United States. This information is provided in order to
protect life and property as well as to enhance the national economy. In
cooperation with national, state and local agencies, as well as private
organizations and the public, the NWS determines the river levels which
correspond to the beginning of significant damage from high water. This
level of water at a given river location is termed flood stage. The NWS
issues special river forecasts and flood warnings when levels are
expected to equal or exceed flood stage. In addition to problems caused
by flooding, various users have danger and incur risk due to river
fluctuations and river levels lower than flood stage. Examples of these
types of users of river forecast information include navigation
interests or the general public who use the river and river banks for
recreational purposes. The experimental Recreational Forecast graphics
are Internet web pages that depict the expected river levels for the
Illinois River of Oklahoma, a very popular canoe and raft float stream.
These expected stream flow levels are translated to a river floatability
index based on guidelines provided by the Illinois River Association and
the State of Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission. Recreational interests
can use the information to better insure a safe experience on and near
the river.

b\. [Purpose]{.underline} -- Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center
(ABRFC) Recreational Forecast graphics provide information concerning
the expected river levels for the next two days. This information is not
available from any other source. This information can be used by the
general public, the river livery operators and the government river
management agency to make the recreational use of the river safer.

c\. [Audience]{.underline} - The target audience for these graphics
products is wide ranging. The State of Oklahoma Scenic River Commission
manages the recreational use of several streams in eastern Oklahoma. One
of the duties of the Commission is to stop the rental of canoes and
rafts when river levels are not safe. The Commission also attempts to
warn campers of dangers of high water. The Oklahoma Scenic River
Commission can use this product to better accomplish their mission.

> The graphics also are helpful to the livery operators in order to
> monitor current and forecast conditions without requirement of
> communicating directly with the NWS or the Oklahoma Scenic River
> Commission. This will allow them to better manage their operation and
> therefore enhance the economy.
>
> The general public will also be able to check river conditions via the
> Internet. Thus they will be able to plan activities at their leisure
> without requiring numerous contacts with the livery operators.
>
> It is also anticipated than several newspapers may carry this
> information in printed form. A regular weekly feature in the newspaper
> on a Thursday or Friday would increase the exposure of the
> information, thus increasing safety and preventing unnecessary trips
> to the public's favorite Illinois River destination.

d\. [Presentation Format]{.underline} - The Recreational Forecast
graphics are web-based graphics. No text presentations are planned at
this time. However, text products may be appropriate and will be
considered in the future based on feedback to the experimental graphic
product.

e\. [Feedback Method]{.underline} - We are always seeking to improve our
services based on user feedback. Comments regarding the Recreational
Forecast graphics should be sent to the feedback email address on the
webpage containing the product. Comments may also be provided to:

> Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center

10159 East 11^th^ Street, Suite 300

Tulsa, OK 74128

Attn: Billy Olsen

[billy.olsen@noaa.gov]{.underline}

Experimental Feedback Period: August 9, 2004 through July 31, 2005

**Part II - Technical Description**

a\. [Format and Science Basis]{.underline} -- River forecasts are
produced on a daily basis for the forecast point on the Illinois River
at Tahlequah, Oklahoma. These forecasts are in the form of a time series
of river levels provided for five days in the future at six-hour
increments. During periods of high river levels, forecasts may be
updated as often as every six hours. These forecasts at Tahlequah are
produced using typical NWS RFC procedures that utilize the NWS River
Forecast System (NWSRFS), a suite of tools that includes a conceptual
hydrologic river forecast computer model. The Recreational Forecast
graphics only utilize the forecast for two days in the future. The
maximum forecast level for the next two days is obtained from the
Tahlequah forecast. That level is then used to color-code the graphical
depiction of the floatability index on a map based on a conversion table
supplied by the Illinois River Association. The conversion table
provides for a floatability index for both the upper and lower reaches
of the Illinois River as divided at the location of the Diamondhead
Resort. Information content of the graphics consist of the color-coded
map of the river, the numerical depiction of the latest river level, the
maximum forecast river level for the next two days and a legend in the
form of a table that describes floatability information based on the
color code.

b\. [Product Availability]{.underline} - The Recreational Forecast
graphics are always available and are updated a minimum of once per day.
On an infrequent basis, the product may be updated up to four times per
day. Graphics are available at
http://www.srh.weather.gov/abrfc/recfcst/**.**

c\. [Additional Information]{.underline} -- Additional information may
be obtained by contacting the ABRFC at the address shown in Part I, item
e above.