Boating on the St. Croix 9/26

[ChfBrianB]

There is a thread from Allan that talks about a trip north on the Mississippi on Sunday the 26th.  I thought that I would formalize the thread since there were a few topics going on there.

Shall we say 10am at Ft. Snelling boat ramp (on the Minnesota river?)  If anyone would like to launch at other ramps, that's fine too, but I have a state park sticker that I've only used once and I like that ramp.

Would anyone be willing to call through the phone list for the people that aren't on the forum frequently?

[Jason]

Wish I could make it guys. That is such a cool ride! We are closing up the cabin this weekend. Gonna bring the 67 V172 to get wet for the first time! Had the CV16SS out yesterday. FINALLY running perfect! I'll catch you guys next time for some October boating!

[Green with Envy]

We'll launch at Hidden Falls at around 10:30 with 'Captain Conner' at the helm.  Brad and Lori are planning to launch at the 77(Cedar Ave) launch on the Minnesota River and meet up with us.

How about we say everyone launch at which ever launch they want and meet at the downstream side of the Ford Dam around 10:30.  We'll enter the lock on the first opening after 11am.  Hidden Falls ramp is a stone's throw from there.

There is a decent inlet with docks at Boom Island Park between Hennepin and 8th Ave NE on the east side.  We could stop there for a picnic lunch.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Minneapolis&state=MN&country=US&latitude=44.98&longitude=-93.263603&geocode=CITY

[ChfBrianB]

Something to remember...  The locks have a decent amount of waterflow and current (espically when they are filling).  It's a good idea to bring some extra extendable poles or paddles to help maintain your position on the wall.  Extra bumpers or cushions are good too as your only thing to hold on to is the rope that extends from the top of the lock.

For the 1st timers, it's nothign to worry about, but I assure you that you don't want to have to rely on your hands to hold you off the wall.  (Yuck)!

[Jason]

Last year:

[76bayflite]

I will most likely be in attendance, launching at ft. snelling.  Boom island park is a good idea, I've launched there before and there's docking room for at least 10 boats if I remember.  The park itself and facilities look really nice.

[BL1900Glastron]

We will see everyone around 10:30 at the Ford Dam Lock.  Looking forward to it.

- Brad

[ChfBrianB]

Sounds like we might have a problem...  Rivers are supposed to be at flood stages on the Mississippi and Minnesota.

That makes for a LOT of debris and the locks get really messy with all the garbage and floating wood.  my Jet doesn't handle that garbage very well at all...

I might need to be on the St. Croix to stay in cleaner water...

Thoughts?

[Jason]

UH OH! From the Fort Snelling state park web site.

"Visitor Alert!

Due to anticipated river flooding, park facilities and roads are being closed beginning 9-23 through mid-October. River levels are rapidly approaching spring flood stages and extremely dangerous with fast currents carrying debris. Please call the office for park closure information."

Maybe a better weekend for lake Minnetonka?

[Hot Carl]

Maybe a better weekend for lake Minnetonka?

You, sir, are a genius.

Seeing that the 23 is already in the lake (and hopefully still floating), I fully support this idea. Sunday still looks like it's gonna be beautiful...I'll be out there all day...

[ChfBrianB]

I'm going to make an executive decision based upon the US Hydrology service flood stage warnings for the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.  I'm going to postpone the formal group invitation for the Mississippi River (Minneapolis) Run on Sunday 9/26

I would like to suggest that anyone wanting to get on the water this weekend as a group connect for a Lake Minnetonka trip.

The St. Croix might be ok but is scheduled to hit the "Action Stage" (+80 Ft.) by 2pm on Saturday.

Please boat with extreme caution if you intend to be on the rivers this weekend.

Brian Bergstrom
CGOAMN Administrator

[Tonka Jim]

Minnetoka as an alternative

Jason is a genius 

[Jason]

Minnetoka as an alternative

Jason is a genius 

Just wish I could go!

[007glastron]

Minnetoka as an alternative

Jason is a genius 

I will be on lake Minnetonka for sure!!

[Laine73GT160]

The Mississippi river is expected to crest above the flood stage Sunday (am) for the city of Wabasha.

I stopped drinking.  I am not boating, for a week or more, the Dams will be open, fast flood waters will be dangers, and dodging floating, trees, and houses is not that fun.

Not to wish bad luck on anyone but I may be watching for that perfect insurance boat to repair.  There are a lot of boats in harbors, owners cannot sell because of the economy and I can fix a boat that has been under water.

I started the boat season this year as soon as the Ice was off my local lake.  Bad ideal, I dodged a tree or two but hit some of those ones that are moving along just under the surface.  Wanted to learn to work with gelcoat so spent 2 weekends on my back under the boat supported by the hoist in my shop.  I now know more about gelcoat that I want to.  From now on:  #1 no boating in water full of trees,  #2  I will be spraying modern base /clear paint on my boat.  Sorry if that offends any of you purists that like gelcoat.  For me it was hours of unnecessary work.  After buying the gelcoat and starting to use it I realized my boat had base /clear paint on the bottom already from a previous restoration.  Good learning experience you cannot even see my gelcoat patched areas after hours of buffing.

Be safe my friends.  See you on the water soon.
Laine

[Tonka Jim]

The hi water issues are from the Minnesota south thru St Paul.
Ft Snelling is out but anything north from there up the Mississippi should be Ok
If we launch at Hidden Falls and go north thru Minneapolis, we should be fine.
I'm OK with Minnetonka as an alternative, but want to get Gregg thru Minneapolis yet this fall.

WHAT DO YOU THINK BOATERS - LETS GO WITH THE MAJORITY  
 

[David CVX-16]

I think we should use the flood waters and garbage on the water to our advantage. I suggest an annual "Dodge the Debris Run" from Fort Snelling to Shakopee and back. The first boat back wins. The rules are as follows: No reinforcement of the front of the boat or props (such as metal braces and prop guards),one spotter is allowed, but no radar, only one prop is allowed (it can be be hammered back into shape if desired), and no communication between boats as to objects to avoid. The prize will be Greggs banged up prop mounted on a piece of tree trunk that has deep gouges in it from prop blade cuts.  

[Hyperacme]

Count me out Dave !
I can wait for my run up the Miss. river ...

[BL1900Glastron]

I got the following river level info from: http://www.riverwatch.noaa.gov/forecasts/MPXRVAMPX.php

DAILY RIVER SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1150 AM CDT FRI SEP 24 2010
ALL STAGES ARE RECORDED IN FEET.  BLANK OR NA INDICATES DATA NOT AVAILABLE.
FORECASTS ARE ISSUED DAILY FOR NAVIGATION ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
AND FOR SPECIAL INTEREST LOCATIONS SUCH AS STILLWATER AND JORDAN.
FORECASTS FOR OTHER LOCATIONS WILL APPEAR IN THIS PRODUCT ONLY
WHEN THOSE LOCATIONS APPROACH OR ARE FORECAST TO APPROACH FLOOD
STAGE.
STATION      FLOOD  TODAYS  24HR              FORECAST L
OCATION      STAGE  STAGE   CHNG   SAT    SUN    MON    TUE    WED
                                                   09/25  09/26  09/27  09/28  09/29
..MISSISSIPPI RIVER
ST CLOUD         9     5.6
 DATUM  958.49
ANOKA          838
 DATUM
MINNEAPOLIS     16     6.5    0.4    6.8    7.0    7.0    7.2    7.3
 DATUM  794.30
ST PAUL         14     6.8    1.0    7.5    8.6   10.2   12.2   14.5
 DATUM  683.62
HASTINGS L/D    15     8.2    1.0    9.3   10.1   11.4   13.1   14.7
 DATUM  670.65
RED WING L/D         672.7    0.9  674.1  675.2  675.9  676.8  677.7
 DATUM
RED WING        14     6.6    0.7    8.1    9.3   10.3   11.2   12.1
 DATUM  665.13

[BL1900Glastron]

I found another site that relates current river flow to a historical average at :http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&r=mn&w=map.

They report the water through Minneapolis is in the 90 percentile or "much above normal".