Current Stream Flows- the river is still cooking

Are We There Yet? Terry's reflection of Saturday's Run

Image via Wikipedia
"This is not Terry,
it's just an image
I used to go with
the captionI have taken the opportunity to reflect back on Saturdays run and think that perhaps it could be summed up in one four letter word, “GRIT”, and if you just ran a variety of alternative words through your mind then you should be ashamed of yourself.

Thanks to a half-wit navigation engineer, we had what could only be described as a comical transit to the 421 park to meet our group for the launch. It was great to welcome aboard Mike, Butch and Deborah for their first encounter with HRL Paddlers. These guys will surely add some additional flavor to our recipe for fun on the water. My food reference here is mainly due to the culinary chat between several of us during one of our stops. Deborah chatted up some mighty fine southern eatin’, unfortunately I ended up attempting to bed down a might fricish appetite with a ham sandwich instead of some ham hocks. This newcomer trio and Montie opted to pull-out after the first 5.4 mile segment and exited at the Huntsville Access area. I hope to paddle with this bunch again soon.

We did however manage to keep the roster healthy with the fashionable entrance of two more brave souls that were willing to endure the remaining mileage with us. Kay and Jan joined the convoy of paddlers that were scattered among the ever present rocky protrusions on the water starved Yadkin.

Things were going well under the circumstances and we encountered several consecutive mild rapids that we used to slingshot us down stream. This pace would soon prove to be short-lived and we soon began to paddle nearly stagnant water. After several miles of seemingly endless flat-water stretches, I apparently began hearing mirages of traffic that I perceived to be to the nearing of I40.After rounding numerous bends and discovering nothing but more river, I finally quit attempting to use my instinctive gauge to determine our position and subsided from my promising alarms that were meant to encourage some of the weary paddlers among us.

We did eventually capture a glimpse of the I40 bridge and took view of the finish line. I noticed that I actually felt pretty good after this monumental trek for our group. I am proud to say that our regular attendees handled this journey really well. I would guess that this is due in part to the conditioning that we receive from regular runs on a weekly basis.

Make no mistake about it, this was not “easy” by no means and any paddler among us that experienced some discomfort should hold their head high for even having the guts to attempt such an adventure. Neal himself even discovered limits to what an individual can endure on a long paddle, especially under historical conditions.

This was not the longest paddle for me as an individual but, it did remind me of just what it takes to hold a moderate pace when distance becomes your enemy. I enjoyed meeting new paddlers and hope they tag along again soon as we continue exploring new waters.

HRL Paddler
Terry

Old 421to Tanglewood- Terry's Photos

Old 421 Park Access to Tanglewood- Video Clips

These aren't the best videos clips, but they give the viewer an idea of what we paddled.

Old 421 Park Access to Tanglewood- Sheila's Photos

Old 421 Park Access to Tanglewood- Fun, Challenging, Beautiful and a lot of Firsts for HRL Paddlers

Image via Wikipedia We launched on time, which was a first! This was because of a few wrong turns and a defective navigational system. Some call it "Neal" system, but I believe it was a "Terry-Linda-Donald-Neal" system. The Terry part wasn't programmed in from the start. The Linda part needed fine tuning because her vision was like that of the hubble telescope when first launched( never hand a map to a person to read going down the road who needs glasses). The Donald system would not input . The Neal part of our navigational system offered to much unclear input and choices. Now try to put these in play when driving down the road pulling boats and you are going to take a few wrong turns.

Our impromptu navigational system caused us to run 30 minutes behind schedule. When we finally recalculated the correct coordinates, we opted not to shuttle all the vehicles back to Tanglewood, to make our 9 am launch. We were fortunate enough to have decided to drop two cars not carrying boats, at the Tanglewood Access, on the way up to the Old 421 park. This was the only saving grace, that kept the launch on time. By the time we reached our final destination at the end of the day, it seemed like we had dropped the cars off on Friday morning instead of Saturday morning. It was that long a day for us.

We picked up a new part to help correct our flawed navigational system at the Huntville Access on our way to the way to Old 421 Park. The Huntsville access reminded us more of the access area in Davidson County, at the Davidson/Davie line on Hwy 64, but much worse. Once we added the " Montie Nav system" at Huntsville, it formatted all the bad on board data and gave us an accurate route to the 421 Park. Once there we met Butch, Deborah and Mike who were paddling with our group for the first time. Everyone else from HRL Paddlers was there and ready to go. We made the 9:00 am launch on time.

Now that we were on the water, not much could go wrong, since only 2 directions were involved. Even the four flawed parts knew to go down river, but we had our our Montie Nav System with us, just in case. We arrived at the Shallowford Road Access as planned. We had estimated an arrival time of 11:00 am and made it according to schedule. I'm sure this impressed the new paddlers Jan and Kay who joined us. Now at the end of the run, I'm sure their impression of our planned timing changed.

We did linger at the Huntsville Access a little bit longer. It became more of a social hour at one point. This was due in part because some of the group opted to take out out when they discovered the Montie part of the nav system was leaving. We said our goodbyes to our new friends. We all welcomed our two new paddlers, who would join us for the remainder of our run. Kay and Jan joined us for what they expected would be only a 4hr paddle, a distance of 10.9 miles. Even with the delay, Jan would make it back in time for the 6 pm, pool party.

Once we launched from the Huntsville Access off Shallowford Road, things began to change. Our navigational clock was now one hour off schedule, having left Shallowford at 12:00 pm instead of around a 11:00 am. The Terry Chat Time at the Access area hadn't been allowed for. Once we got that part running again, our new ETA would put us coming into Tanglewood around 4, or that is what we thought. The old navigational systems still tried to take over. The "it's around the next bend", Terry Alarm sounded several times. It became redundant for the last 5 miles of our trip. Others in the group learned to ignore the false readings, looking only for the I-40 Bridge. The rest of our navigational system went silent and only the words "Kill Neal" were murmured.

Now add to the fact that our navigational system didn't allow for zig zagging or low flow. Our estimate of a 4 hour paddle quickly turned into a 6 hour one. Instead of a 11 mile trip, now it seemed more like a 20 mile trip. "Are we there yet", was a phrase we heard often over the last 5 miles. Our paddlers decided that Terry's hearing needs to be checked, because he was hearing cars 5 miles before we got to the I 40 bridge. Donald said it was the wind blowing through his hollow skull that made him think he heard cars. The stretch of water between Huntsville and Tanglewood slowly became a "Bridge to Far". Keep in mind our group paddles every weekend. We had just completed a 14 mile run on the lake the week before, so we knew we were in condition for these type of runs. After all we paddle more flat water than most people. All of us paddling thought this was much longer stretch than the map showed. Since Terry forgot to program in the GPS, all we could tell you is that we were paddling at rate of about 3-3.5 mph. Still we enjoyed our run. I know this was a first paddle for Jan and Kay and we promise, we won't do this to them again. The last couple from Rowan that went with the group on a long paddle, hasn't been heard from in months. So if we don't see Jan or Kay again, we do understand why. Unless you have a death wish, never say "It's around the next bend" to them.

There is not much our group can't handle when it comes to paddling long distances now. We paddled the lowest flow in the recorded history of the Yadkin River, 203 Cubic Feet Per Second(the norm is 1700 CPS). We saw the most rocks probably anyone will ever get to see, while paddling on this stretch of river. There were many times I found myself taking the wrong turn in the maze, having to retrace my steps.

T& D boat towing service got to be put in use for the first time. This was good practice for some in our group and it adds another dimension to our rescue prowess.

We finally pulled into to Tanglewood around 6 PM. By the time we shuttle the remaining vehicles back from Old 421 access it was around 7 PM. I got home a little 7:30 having left that morning at 6:45. This was full day of paddling for everyone. I'm sure Fran got more than enough for her fix. We may not paddle Labor day, since we paddled enough Saturday for the next 4 weekends. I'm sure Jan and Kay may be thinking they have paddled enough for the next 4 years.

My estimate on rapids was "dead on", we may have even had more. There were 4 rapids on the Old 421 to Shallowford run and maybe 16 rapids on the Shallowford to Tanglewood Run. There might have been two class 2's , but for the most part all were ones. Had the water been up another 1.5 feet and the flow been up to around 900, these rapids would have made for a perfect run. I don't plan on paddling this any time soon, unless we have these levels and rates. This was a historic run for all the people who paddle this. They can add this to their own "Back in the Day "Quotes. They will tell their stories how a crazy guy convinced them into paddling in the worst possible conditions on the Yadkin River.

The low river conditions are record breaking. Let's hope they don't get lower. I hope you enjoy the pictures we took below. Playing the Music Player below the slide show, will add to your enjoyment of watching the slide, just forward to a song you like. All kidding aside this is what being in a paddling group is all about. We all had fun!

The prettiest picture in the slide show below, besides that of me, was the "I-40 Bridge"!

Idols Dam Revisited Thursday

"Terry Tester and I got to paddle some Thursday, but this time our trip was of a serious nature." We met with Winston Salem utility officials yesterday, to discuss ways to make Idols Dam safer for paddlers and boaters. Once we arrived, we found city officials to be very receptive to the idea of improving the "Portage Take Out Area" . The city also has plans to place new "warning signs" for the Idols Dam. The Idols dam is referred to as a "low head Dam".
These type of dams are some of the most of the most dangerous, which take lives every year. A low-head dam is a dam of low height, usually less than 15 feet. These are drowning machines and pose a threats to any swimmer or boater. Most of the accidents that occur at these dams , are the result of not properly marked warnings. Click Here for a recent report on an accident on the Neuse River, involving a low head dam. It's accidents like these that could have easily been prevented, had they been properly marked. The Army Corp of Engineers needs to place warning buoys at Idols Dam. Click here to read the law in Pennsylvania on the proper marking of these Dams.





Montie Hamby, a board member with Yadkin River Keepers, was present for the meeting. Bill Brewer a representative the City of Winston Salem Utility Department met with us on site. Also present for the meeting was Mike Garner, who is over Parks and Recreation for Davie County( I invited Mike, because I feel a River should join counties and never divide them. Since the Portage Take Out is actually on Davie County, I felt Parks and Recreation was a natural choice for me to invite, because they too have a dog in this fight ). Lisa O'Donnell- reporter for the the Winston-Salem Journal and Lauren Carroll- news photographer for the Winston- Salem Journal were also in attendance.

We received a friendly greeting from several City Employees who were on site. They all were very courteous, some even helped us remove our boats at the end of the day.

Our short paddle launched us directly above the top of Idols Dam. We launched in front of the City's Water Treatment Facility. Special permission was granted to us this one time, for what is otherwise a secured, gated facility. Lisa O'Donnell and Lauren Carroll where invited to paddle across to the present portage take out area, so they could get a feel and look at what a typical paddler would experience.


We paddled up river first, beyond the Portage Take Out Area. I paddled Lauren, the newspaper's photographer, in my tandem, so she could take photos. . Terry provided our reporter Lisa, with here own kayak.(who by the way is a natural in a kayak). We couldn't entice Bill Brewer to paddle with us, he was to "dressed up" for the occasion( meaning he had on a nice shirt and nice pair of shoes). Mark Garner with Park's and Recreation of Davie County, opted to ride with Bill in the company yacht. I think he decided this after seeing how difficult getting in a kayak was going to be. Our makeshift launch site was "a little bit edgy" for getting into a kayak. It was wise choice on Mark's part and I tried to get our media guests to go back by boat. They were real troopers and wanted go back across by the same mode of transportation they came. Montie Hamby also paddle with our group. I knew Montie would paddle, because he's hard core.

We paddled with our photographer and reporter upstream. Terry and Montie both pointed out the present "Mandatory Portage" warning sign. The sign was still under a bunch of tree laps. This can be attributed to the F3 tornado that came through the area back in May. After a few comments about this downed "Stop Sign" we headed back to meet Bill Brewer and Mark Garner at the Portage take out. There we would discuss some solutions to resolve the present situation.





Once we paddled back down to the "Portage Take Out", our invited guest could see that the "Portage Take Out" sign was not very visible. This too was due to the May storm. Since our media guest weren't experienced paddlers, we decided not to take out at the present " Portage. Take Out". Safety is our first concern and we felt that it was to dangerous for our guest, even with a low water flow.




We paddled back up stream to find a safer portage passage. This wasn't much better, but at least it would be safer. We didn't have to contend with a possible drowning scenario. Instead we opted for a walk through poison oak and a possible venomous snake bite. We made it back safely to the original portage take out. There we met Bill Brewer with the City. Bill discussed some possible solutions with Montie, Mark and myself. Poor Terry couldn't come ashore because of his allergic reaction to poison oak. He had to sit out in his boat next to the Portage takeout and listen.

The flow rate of the river today was 287 Cubic Feet Per Second.(which is still in the record lows, it was 257 the other day) . These are the lowest flow rates that have been seen since 1944, when they began keeping records on the Yadkin. When our group paddled the river on July 26, the flow rate was just 600 CFS, which is considered very low.

This morning the flow rate is 203 CFS, our water supply is getting dangerously low, I'm afraid that we will start seeing large fish kills appear in these type of conditions.
An average flow rate for the Yadkin in this area is around 1700. This type of flow would be pretty scary at our Portage Takeout in it's present condition. One slip and you would go over the dam in just less than a minute. Now there is a chance that you may not get that opportunity, to take the death plunge over the dam. This is because you stand a good chance of getting trapped beneath the two huge strainers that are presently at the Portage Take Out. Even with a life jacket, you might not survive with a flow rate of 1700 CFS pushing you under a tree. This rate of CFS can be translated in a flow of 12, 716.85 gallons of water moving past you per sec. Today the flow was only2146.90 gallons per sec. Looking at it today, it seemed calm, but fall in and the reality of a slow rate can be dangerous.

This is why we contacted City Officials. We felt this needed to addressed immediately. We notified the press and others to help bring attention. We aren't pointing fingers we are contacting those who we feel can help close this "deadly door" before it's to late.

Paddlers have a right to a safe passage around dams and bridges. We aren't asking anyone to build us a lavish Portage Take Out Area. All we want is a "safe one". We want a Portage Area Take out that will be maintained in the future, so this never has to be an issue again.

Terry and I were representing HRL Paddlers today. We aren't paid and for doing taking the time out of our day to do this. Terry had to start at noon loading boats to make the 3 pm meeting. I only had to catch a ride with Terry. Like Montie Hamby who's been doing this for years, we too do it for the love of the Yadkin River Basin we paddle.

Our meeting today strictly for benefit of those who may paddle or boat this area in the future. We are only looking for a solution to the problem. Bill Brewer who represented the City expressed a willingness on the City's part to help us resolve this. We know that no one person can accomplish this alone. We all acknowledged it will take a combined efforts of those affected to fix the problem. We know the key to finding a long term solution is to work together. We have to become just like the River, joining and not dividing.

Part of the process has begun. "The wheels are in motion." The city has ordered warning signs to be placed on the pylons of the Railroad Trestle. Bill said city crews will go to work immediately on getting the downed signs back up. We know the work on the Portage area will take more time, but at least the "Stop Signs" are going back up. This is still a very dangerous area until the "Portage Take Out" is fixed. We strongly advise that you not paddle this far down, until you receive word that a " safe portage take out" is in place.

Special thanks to Terry who went the extra mile today. Thanks to Montie who always does the same. We also would like to thank Mark, Bill, Lauren and Lisa for allowing us to show them our concerns. Lastly we do thanks those other city employees who helped us get back up on shore safely.


Neal Conner
HRL Paddlers


The following are some photos I took of yesterday's meeting. I'm sorry I don't have any of the city officials, but perhaps Terry will on his upcoming post about the meeting.