Minnesota Classic Glastron Forum

General Category => Iowa Events / Meets => Topic started by: WetRaider on May 28, 2013, 10:14:18 PM

Title: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 28, 2013, 10:14:18 PM
OK, ladies & gentlemen ...

Most of you are seeing similar weather patterns to us down here in south Iowa.  I'm currently pumping water out of the basement, watching the lightning, and hoping not to fry the computer with a power surge.

I spent some time at the Corps of Engineer's office this evening.  Water level at the lake is 917 feet - 13 feet higher than normal, 2 feet higher than 3 days ago.  There are NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) warnings posted all over that building with estimates of 6-12 inches of rain between now and next Wednesday (June 5).  The Engineering Tech I spoke with said that he would expect water levels during our planned weekend to be 5-8 feet higher than now, and he would expect to see 922 feet by next Wednesday.

What this means for us .....
Well, for me, not much.  I live here.  BUT - I don't like the idea of asking the rest of you to travel up/down here for a chance to spend your weekend sitting under a picnic shelter.  If I were in any of your shoes, I'd be asking to postpone, so that is my suggestion.

The campsites are high, with ground sloping away.  Even at 923 feet, we'd be well clear of any water - except for soggy ground.  If the forecast holds through next week, it's doubtful the ground would be dry beneath us.  The big boat ramp might not be usable, either, because with higher levels there won't be room to turn the boat & tow vehicle around to back in.

I'll add a couple more posts - with some videos taken today, and a handful of pictures.  The wind was coming in from the south, and the surface chop was just eating away the shoreline.  Watch your speaker volume, the wind noise is bad.

Please ... tell me when you might like to re-schedule.  For those of you who requested time-off at work, I'd hate for that time to be wasted - save it for another weekend.  What does 4th of July look like for you guys? 

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 28, 2013, 10:19:12 PM
This is the boat ramp ... under serious water.  Notice my car is parked against the median/divider that separates the parking area from the actual ramp.

Honey Creek State Park Boat Ramp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNbDwp8SeM8#ws)

Here's a view of the campsites from the south tip, past the restrooms, to the entrance of the south grounds ... you can see some of them are a bit soggy, but the land does slope down and away ...

Honey Creek State Park South Campgrounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnHA-lcFHMs#ws)

And ... this is where the beach *was* .... You can see a few downed trees in the water ... it's chomping away at the bank, washing out everything beneath the root-ball & then the tree tips ...

Honey Creek State Park South Campground Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpDH7Gst5g#ws)
Title: Re: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 28, 2013, 10:41:02 PM
Honestly, its the risk we take setting up a meet. Yes the lake is high, and there is no beaches, but its about getting together with our friends. Heck the lake Amber an I frequent does not have any beaches at all. As long as it is not shut down to boating we will be there.

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 28, 2013, 10:59:10 PM
Brandon -

I hear you ... and I'd welcome anyone that still wants to come out.  I'm just trying not to let my proximity cloud what is reasonable for those who are traveling.  Funds are limited for everyone, and if they can be better spent on something less of a gamble, well I'd like to know that I wasn't a cause for money spent and time and travel for not a whole lot.

Now ... I'll try some of the still images again ...

Image one .... March, 2011 ... the freeze just melting off.  This is the view from the large launch ramp.  Take note of the yellow stripes and markings on the ground ...

Image two .... June 2, 2012 ... Doran's view of the ramp after launching.  Whoever it is walking up the ramp in that image would be knee deep in water today - completely submerged come June 7.

Image three .... Today (May 28) .... the top of the ground striping just barely visible underwater ...
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 28, 2013, 11:03:28 PM
More comparisons ...

Image 1:  Doran's picture from the beach behind the campsites ... note the tree & "cliff" on the upper far left ...

Image 2:  Today's view (May 28 ) - beach completely submerged & the "cliff" has moved towards the campgrounds about 8 feet because the erosion causes big chunks to slough off and trees to tip.  The surface chop under the wind starts chopping into the shoreline and before you know it, there's no earth under the root ball and it falls into the lake ...
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: dorelse on May 28, 2013, 11:07:34 PM
Honestly, right now, I see nothing that would stop me from coming.

I tried prepping Rissa that we might not be able to go, and that didn't go over so well.

IF we get a dry next week, and we can still boat, I'm still coming.  IF it truly rises up another 8'...well, that may change things, but we can talk about that next week.

Been looking forward to & working towards next weekend for better part of 6 mos. now...

Might need some more pictures & updates next week from you...if that's doable.

Now, if we're still in this weather pattern...where we get severe storms every night...well, then I might have to make a tough decision.

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 28, 2013, 11:13:00 PM
I can still do it ... but again, I'm local.  I'm not traveling.  My money spending has already happened - at most, I'd need to delay my brisket order.  This trophy on the shelf has been paid for for months.  I just want to be considerate of everyone else.

This ramp will still be usable at 923 feet - but the bigger boats and tow vehicles will have to do their turn-around and use the rigging lane to back up, which turns it into a 1 or 2 lane ramp, instead of the big 6 .... but, considering that Red Wing has a single lane dirt ramp, we're still in great shape.

My new tent is suppose to keep me dry - I just want a try hour to get it set up.

I'll keep up with the Corps of Engineers every other day or so.  One of them was going to come out and give us a lake report on Thursday evening or Friday morning - just the heads up on current conditions, places to avoid, etc.

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Terry_Curran on May 29, 2013, 05:32:09 AM
Right now, we still plan on making the trip. 

Terry
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: still_fishin on May 29, 2013, 08:18:33 AM
Well, that lake really doesn't look any different than the Miss down in Red Wing. Muddy water, trees, and plenty of wind. A are still planning on coming. It might be good if that water came up a few feet. That way we could park under the tents above the dirt cliff.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: kert0307 on May 29, 2013, 08:48:19 AM
I'm still planning on coming as well, but I am close also. If people really want a beach, there is still plenty of beach exposed at Red Rock, but that is about an hour and a half drive away from the camp ground. Either way, I have an anchor and we can make a "redneck yacht club" of Glastrons out in a calm spot on the lake.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Burnin Daylight on May 29, 2013, 08:58:15 AM
I am for now still planning on coming, but watching the weather.  Eleven hundred miles round trip is a long ways to tow a boat and not get to use it.  The things that will make it difficult for me (cant speak for Red) is the absence of the courtesy docks to aid in getting myself and the dog in and out of the boat at the launch.  I suppose that I can always drive over by the lodge and launch or rent a slip for the weekend.  How far is the drive to the lodge from the campground?

Ditto Kurt on the floating Glastron Island.  The lake that I boat on does not have a single beach area, so the floating islands form in the no wake zones. 
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on May 29, 2013, 09:00:18 AM
I'm all in too, i already feel as though im running out of summer with many plans.
we will make the best of what there, i have no doubt we will have a blast !
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 29, 2013, 09:07:54 AM
Barb -
The resort property is a 9 mile drive, or a couple hundred yards across Honey Creek ...
There are two courtesy docks currently up at the State Park ramp we would use ...
Here are photos from yesterday ...

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 29, 2013, 09:08:38 AM
I like the enthusiasm ... come hell or high water ...
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 29, 2013, 09:34:43 AM
Well, that lake really doesn't look any different than the Miss down in Red Wing. Muddy water, trees, and plenty of wind. A are still planning on coming. It might be good if that water came up a few feet. That way we could park under the tents above the dirt cliff.

I agree with Tim let her rise that way we can park below the camp ground.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Burnin Daylight on May 29, 2013, 09:50:30 AM
Dan, thanks for the info about the docks.  I was worried about accessibility because I'm just not as physically flexible as I used to be. 
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: dorelse on May 29, 2013, 01:18:26 PM
Dan, thanks for the info about the docks.  I was worried about accessibility because I'm just not as physically flexible as I used to be. 

Don't you have bionic parts like Steve Austin?  (The youngen's will have no idea what I'm talking about!)

Just jump, the slo-mo music will kick on, and you land in the captain's chair ready to take on the lake!  :D 

That dock should be moved as the water rises so there should be a couple docks to use as Dan pictured.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 29, 2013, 01:20:32 PM
Also, there is always someone willing to help you launch and retrieve.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Burnin Daylight on May 29, 2013, 01:39:38 PM
Thanks guys.  Just not crazy about taking a dip in the lake this early in the season.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 29, 2013, 01:45:02 PM
Thanks guys.  Just not crazy about taking a dip in the lake this early in the season.

When we had Phoenix Rising up at Sherman Reservoir last thursday I was knee deep on the launch and it felt pretty good. A little cold at first but it warmed up.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on May 29, 2013, 02:40:42 PM
I've yet to launch my little GT without getting wet, i spose i will eventually get it down.
And i wont say the water up here is warm, but it is nice to get wet :D
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 29, 2013, 02:49:31 PM
I started walking Phoenix Rising off and on the trailer at Rathbun last year after seeing other members do it. Makes it a little eaiser to line up during loading.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Burnin Daylight on May 29, 2013, 03:57:27 PM
I was thinking of no docks and swimming out to get on the boat.  I back it in Kat unload and loads it and I only get wet from the knees down.  We always drive the boat off and on.  If its a little stuck to the bunks when we unload then I just back up and float it off after I release the winch cable.  She's got the loading down perfect and I ain't bad at backing and maneuvering at the ramp.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 31, 2013, 11:34:08 AM
Drove out to the lake last night.  Level is at 921.  17 feet higher than normal.  
I'll see what happens over the weekend.  Dam is still shut down, so no water going out.


** edit **
They opened the dam this morning.  Currently releasing 2,000 cubic feet per second.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on May 31, 2013, 01:07:46 PM
Ok math wizards...
at 11,000-acres, how fast will it go down ?
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: dorelse on May 31, 2013, 01:14:06 PM
Ok math wizards...
at 11,000-acres, how fast will it go down ?

Wouldn't I need to know the inflow rate as well?   Plus, the ground around here is completely saturated...so I think that might just hold things steady?  Dan got hit by more rain than even Des Moines did.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on May 31, 2013, 01:17:36 PM
Ok math wizards...
at 11,000-acres, how fast will it go down ?

Wouldn't I need to know the inflow rate as well?   Plus, the ground around here is completely saturated...so I think that might just hold things steady?  Dan got hit by more rain than even Des Moines did.
in that case you need to be a math wizard and a psychic ;)
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: dorelse on May 31, 2013, 01:27:17 PM
The answer is:  c

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 31, 2013, 02:17:58 PM
Ok math wizards...
at 11,000-acres, how fast will it go down ?

Wouldn't I need to know the inflow rate as well?   Plus, the ground around here is completely saturated...so I think that might just hold things steady?  Dan got hit by more rain than even Des Moines did.
in that case you need to be a math wizard and a psychic ;)

I like math and its quite here at work so I did some figuring. I

If I did my math correct at 2000 cu ft per second

the lake should loose 3966.97 acre feet of water per 24 hour period.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 31, 2013, 03:05:27 PM
I like math, too ...

here's what I "know" ...

The normal pool is 11,000 acres.  The current pool is nearing 20,000.  When they were releasing 800 cfs, the rate of drop was 1 foot per month.

Doran was right talking about ground saturation.  Think about being on the beach ... and digging a hole.  At some point, your hole fills with water because you've reached the water table and have saturated ground along the perimeter of your hole.  Stick in a bucket and scoop the water out ... Boom! The hole fills right back up with water.  We might be releasing water through the dam, but to some degree, the saturated ground around us is refilling to take up the space the released water use to.  Based on proportions, all other things being equal ... if 800 cfs = 1 ft. drop in elevation per month, then 2,000 cfs = 2.5 ft. drop per month, or roughly 48,000 acre feet ...
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on May 31, 2013, 03:12:03 PM
So high water it is...
as long as we can put in and have "fun on the water" I'm good.
i did fine the corp of engineers website, they post stats everyday at 7:30 AM
http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/RathbunLake/DailyLakeInformation.aspx (http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/RathbunLake/DailyLakeInformation.aspx)
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 31, 2013, 04:06:49 PM
Joe -
I've been on this lake with water levels at the spillway and a full 22,000+ acres.
My concern here was not so much the lake levels, but the camping quality and dry-time to actually get out and use the boats.
I can have someone from the Corps of Engineers office come by the campgrounds on Thursday evening, or Friday mid-morning and give us a brief on lake conditions, places to avoid, etc.  I can have them bring maps, too.  I have a fishing guide that has lake contours - for normal pool. 
All of our boats are pretty shallow draft, we don't have much to worry about except for the downed/submerged timber.  Based on water flow and wind directions, floating debris tends to move towards the north and east.  The Chariton River is not a big, fast flowing river, so there isn't a ton of stuff floating in.  When I lived down by Mark Lindhorst (catchnedge) and boated at Canyon Lake, that lake would actually get RV's and camping trailers stuck in the trees after the rush of river flood coming downstream.

As long as we're all good with a damp ground - the campsite elevation is nearly 20 feet higher than the spillway, so we have no worry of flooded campsites - just wet from whatever might fall from the sky.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Burnin Daylight on May 31, 2013, 07:46:39 PM
Dang it.  OKC is getting torn up again tonight.  Hope Red and I have boats left to bring.  Hope dang it is not on the bad words list!
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on May 31, 2013, 08:25:01 PM
Dang it.  OKC is getting torn up again tonight.  Hope Red and I have boats left to bring.  Hope dang it is not on the bad words list!

Was watching the CNN coverage of it. Be safe guys!
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Bayflite73 on May 31, 2013, 08:41:25 PM
Be safe Barb! Keeping fingers crossed for both you and Red!
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: OleRed on May 31, 2013, 10:04:20 PM
Dang it, we getting another one coming in again, no tornado, just a Lot of rain, already had 2/3 inches in the last few hours, now they are saying quarter size hail.. Grrrrr .... I just got the boat un-hooked, we'll see how this one goes.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: OleRed on May 31, 2013, 10:17:44 PM
Up-Date .
During the tornado, one of our strom watchers has a vehicle called a Dominator, it's a 16,000 pound suv, looks kinda like a hummer made into a tank, 4wd, bullet proof windows, armor plating, and has some hydraulic "screws" that he can twist into the ground when he wants too, anyway, he drove it into the tornado, what he called the devils den, he screwed it to the ground while broadcasting the hood got sucked off the vehicle .. gone.
One of the weather men told people on the air, that if they couldn't get to shelter, if they wanted to run away, to drive South, that broadcast caused I-35 and I-240 to get packed with Thousands of cars and trucks, no one could move, some of them were blown off the road, some ran out of gas waiting, and the emergency vehicles could not get thru to give aid, the state troopers were transporting wonded to some ambulances, we drove North.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on May 31, 2013, 10:26:16 PM
Thanks for checking in, both of you.
I hope all stays well for you ... keep safe.  Toys are toys.  We love them, but still only toys.  And you're both welcome up here boat, or no boat. 
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: OleRed on May 31, 2013, 10:36:11 PM
Georgia told her sister on the phone that she was glad I let her come along when I got the boat hooked, but Really, she was the first one in the van.  While driving, she asked, why didn't hook it up to my truck, it's worth a lot more than the van ?  now it's Her truck ???
I told her cause we couldn't live in the truck if we needed too, but we could this old thing, and it just wouldn't look right if the boat wasn't hooked up to it :)
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: OleRed on June 01, 2013, 06:33:33 AM
wow
7" rain in the last 9 hours here in Okc
6 deaths so far, 2 critical, 60 injured and Lot's of damage, mostly in El Reno, about 20 miles west of here,  I've lived in Oklahoma all my life, and I've never seen so many tornados and weather patterns like we have had in the last two weeks, this line of storms extended from Okc to Gary Indiana, amazing.
News said there were over 600 calls from flooded motorist, and several of them were water rescue's.
Hey Barb,  hope you can cross the creek down at your place, I'll go over and check on Hot Knots here in a bit.  The creek here on Village dr. west of my house, was over flowed, from curb to curb, Brittian rd. closed, never seen that before either, Stratford street, east of my house,  was up to the houses.
We had a Lot of wind damage, but the little tent is still standing, Yellow Jacket is happy.
We had lightning strikes all over, I think / wonder if the lightening messed up something on my truck, the tach rests at 3500, idles at 5000 acording to it, but the motor is idling, the oil pressure and volt meter don't work at all ??
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Bayflite73 on June 01, 2013, 07:04:45 AM
Glad you guys are safe!
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: OleRed on June 01, 2013, 08:25:57 AM
Quote
I'll go over and check on Hot Knots here in a bit.

Hey Barb, you need two balls, I got one you can have
for the cover on Hot Knots,  the bow section looked like a hot tub, the ball was almost squashed,
I drained the water off and moved the ball a little more forward, two balls would keep it from pooling, and if you remind me, I got a needle to air your balls up.
Western av. was closed in front of your place, water was over the road, I went in from the west side.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: Burnin Daylight on June 01, 2013, 09:23:21 AM
Thanks Red for checking on my place at home.  I had came down to the lake cabin to clean up here.  Last week here at Lake of the Arbuckles we got 6 inches of pea and marble size hail.  I have a lot of oak trees on my lot, but very little shade now.  It beat all the leaves off the trees. Took me 3 hours yesterday to clean them up.  Now I have to hose the cabin down too because leaves are stuck to it like glue.
I had put a maybe 14" ball on the bow between the rails to hold the cover up and keep from gathering water up their.  Guess I need another.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on June 01, 2013, 11:15:21 AM
For those of us that were at Rathbun lake last year, Do you remember the marina that was in the area of where we had the beach boat show?  check out this link it will give you an idea of where the lake level is at.

http://69.66.34.250:9200/home/homeS.html (http://69.66.34.250:9200/home/homeS.html)
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 02, 2013, 03:09:11 PM
Water temp was 64 today.  Outside temp was 58.  Water elevation 921 (spillway is at 923, if I'm remembering correctly).
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 03, 2013, 07:01:49 PM
We're looking good for the weekend.  I've got a tent up over the boat to keep tomorrow's rain off.  Hopefully it's just putting carpet in, buttoning down the pretties ...


Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on June 05, 2013, 03:47:37 PM
Looking at the marina web cam looks like the lake has dropped a bit. When I looked on sunday the water was at the bottom the the upper parking stalls.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on June 05, 2013, 03:52:35 PM
Yes... that made quite a difference, down to 920.45
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 06, 2013, 08:58:17 AM
Woke up this morning to bright blue sky and bright sun ... haven't seen that in a while!

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 09, 2013, 09:17:34 AM
Well ...

Does anyone want to hear the truth, or do they want to hear about rain?

Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 09, 2013, 09:29:26 AM
The truth is that the weather reports coming in should have kept any responsible boater off the water ...
So, knowing that the boating was likely done for the weekend, deciding to pack up a tent & campsite that is guaranteed dry vs. the risk of packing up a wet tent and having to dry everything out at home later without getting any additional fun time on the water ... well, all campers chose to pack up and go a night early. 
The big lunch was served, trophy handed out, new attendees welcomed ... I appreciated all the participation. 
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on June 10, 2013, 10:59:26 PM
Well ...

Does anyone want to hear the truth, or do they want to hear about rain?


yes... the truth
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 11, 2013, 07:50:03 AM
Joe -
It all blew to the north.  Sky cleared up after a while.  Not a drop until about 2 on Sunday. 
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on June 11, 2013, 11:04:36 AM
oh well...
it happens
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 11, 2013, 12:44:58 PM
It does.  I turned down a ride with Erik & Kristi because of what was rolling in ... best to be on the safe side!
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: 75starflight on June 11, 2013, 01:05:02 PM
Wait till you see what we drove through on the way home. Amber will post some videos after 11pm tonight.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: kert0307 on June 11, 2013, 01:28:33 PM
We had a little rain on the short drive back too, and some angry looking clouds, but it mostly blew over us too.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 11, 2013, 02:08:57 PM
Brandon, it was nasty, and it could have been really bad had it hit the campgrounds ...

Better to boat another day than for the last time. 
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: thedeuceman on June 12, 2013, 11:11:35 PM
Just wanted to say that we had such a great time last weekend, was so cool to spend some time with you guys both on and off the water.
Title: Re: Conditions Report
Post by: WetRaider on June 13, 2013, 12:27:36 AM
Glad you enjoyed, Joe. 
I'm thankful for everyone who makes the trip. 
I happen to like that lake, and the campsite area quite a lot  ... just sitting there during Saturday lunch, I was enjoying the group being together, individual conversations, and looking around at the wide open grassy area, the trees, and the lake in the background.  It's conducive to a very wide range of activities, and a comfortable place to be.