Whoever is throwing long logs in the river..... PLEASE STOP (it's dangerous)

I suspect that the log we removed last week is the result of somebody cutting dead wood to clean up the trails.
http://totalwhitewaterfun.blogspot.com/2015/04/log-removal-from-stairway-rapid-at.html
Unfortunately, this creates an extremely dangerous situation for whitewater boaters.  I have seen logs stuck in every rapid on Bulls Bridge (including The Flume).  We, the whitewater community, need to get the word out that throwing stuff in the river is adding a risk to our activity.  Once the log is in the river, it is often difficult to see.  Prevention is the best course of action.

https://youtu.be/Y6yO0I1mtVA



A chapter of the AMC has been doing train maintenance.  We need to make sure that they know that throwing stuff in the river puts us at risk.

The utility owner, First Light Power Resources (Suez), does regular trimming of branches, brush, and sometimes tree removal.  They have an office in New Milford, and are trying to promote safety around the river.  I think that it's probably just a political move and lip service, but we should take this opportunity to educate them about the risks that some of their practices present to us.
Their office is at
143 West Street
Suite E
New Milford, CT 06776
(860) 354-8840

How to read the painted gauge

1 is where the wall meets the footer

There is no 0, but you will sometimes hear some of the veteran boaters refer to levels such as minus 1 or minus 1/2.  They are referring to an estimated level below 1 (at the wall/block meeting).  The newer generation simply estimates the level between "fish flow" (minimum flow) and the first reading on the gauge (1) by saying things like "it's 1/2 foot".  That 1/2 foot is essentially the same as the old reading of  minus 1/2 (since the whole scale starts at 1, like medieval mathematics)

Everything else is pretty straight forward.  There is an old worn out mark for 1 1/2, which is a great play level.  2 is clearly marked (another good play level, and probably the best level for first time Stairway runs since it's as padded as it can be without water going over Mushroom Rock).

This is a long-winded, round-about way to announce that I took a picture of the gauge this morning because someone had scrubbed the silt away and re-painted it.  As silt builds up, and the gauge starts to disappear again, you can paddle up to it, splash it with water, and you should be able to see the numbers.

Smalls Falls Race (Small To The Wall)

https://youtu.be/toDMSsknuMY

The level was low/runnable, and 24 competitors paddled as fast as they could over 5 waterfalls.  Check out this quick edit of the drops, in the order they were run.  It is just a teaser video to remind everyone that Eric Adsit (publisher of The Dirtbag's Guide to Whitewater) is working on a full edit from video shot by many people at the event.

Smalls Falls is in Western Maine.  Here is a link to the American Whitewater description http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/4326/

The race started on a ramp on the top drop.  Competitors raced through Slideways, Down n' Out, Biggie Smalls, and the last drops to an orange buoy in the pool above the bridge (which was lined with spectators).

Here is footy from last year
https://youtu.be/C4J0L7i7fGM
and more footage from last year
https://vimeo.com/92428395

and, you MUST follow the Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/smallstothewall

Log removal from Stairway Rapid at Bulls Bridge

Housatonic River, South Kent, CT

Yesterday, I posted about the new logs blocking the main line at Stairway Rapid
http://totalwhitewaterfun.blogspot.com/2015/04/log-across-main-drop-in-stairway-rapid.html
Today, Dan Greenbaum, an arborist friend of his, and I pulled the logs out and cut them into 2' sections.  There seems to be new wood on a regular basis now, as the river rises/falls, people along the river are cleaning their yards by cutting timber, and the power company is continuing to cut trees and limbs around power lines.

Be careful out there.  Taking a quick look over the horizon line to check for wood is always a good idea.

Photo from yesterday with log pinned in main drop.

Photo from today after log removal.

 

Photo from yesterday with log blocking main drop

Photo from today after log removal.

https://youtu.be/VDtWYJISEpg

Log across main drop in Stairway Rapid (Bulls Bridge)

There are two large tree trunks in Stairway Rapid on Bulls Bridge of the Housatonic River in South Kent, CT.  The first is very visible at the 4' level (painted gauge), and the second is barely visible, but is spans the entire channel of the main first/big drop.  Do not run the main drop until this log is removed.

Both views are taken from the river right trail.  The log in the foreground will probably float downstream when the water gets higher.  The one that is buried in the main flow will probably be there until the water drops and someone removes it.  

The arrows indicate the ends of the submerged log.  Draw a line between the points of the arrows, and you will get an idea of how far across this log reaches.  

(All content of this blog is only intended to add to the discourse, and should not be used as a guide.  Make your own decisions based on careful study of the environment when you are there, in person.  Be responsible for your own safety.  Don't let an internet post make your decisions for you)

The flume (below) looks pretty good at 4'.  This photo is taken from river right rocks.