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Post by loganfeeney on Apr 4, 2012 10:26:08 GMT -5
Hi gang. It saddens me to think that I'm even writing this post, but we're all thinking it, so I might as well initiate the conversation. Is there a possibility of races being cancelled due to poor water levels? We ran the Passy 3/24 and I can't say that I would have even classified it as "passable" then. We were in-and-out of our boat many times from Rollerson's bridge to the race takeout, and not because we went swimming  . How does this work for the race(s)? Are people going to run their boats through stretches of ankle-deep water? Any insight on Dale's comments that they "have some control" of the water on race day? Looking beyond this weekend, has anybody run the Sou or the Marsh? Kenduskeag? If you haven't paddled them, has anybody scouted? Recent pics? Let's pool some info here and help out the folks that drive longer distances to get to the races. Any info or insight is appreciated. |
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Post by Ray Wirth on Apr 4, 2012 16:40:40 GMT -5
I agree that water levels are a big concern -- and I'm also guessing that race directors don't want to prematurely raise any alarms about the possibility of cancellation.
It is a downer. The whitewater season in midcoast Maine is too short as it is. Usually, we're out running rivers 4+ days a week this time of year.
I'm hoping race directors will consider hosting their races in alternate locations. Even flatwater is better than no water at all.
The Kenduskeag is now lower than on race day 2010 -- and headed in the wrong direction. The weather.com 10-day forecast does not look encouraging in terms of precipitation.
Things could change quickly though. A good soaking rain could change things in a hurry. A week of rain before the Kenduskeag could could make us worry about the water being too big rather than the other way around.
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Post by cdalton on Apr 6, 2012 7:39:04 GMT -5
Would it make sense for the race directors to get together and move the whole season up a week? It seems like we've had far more low water situations in recent years than late iceout situations, and in the worst case it's easier to break ice than make water.
Has there been a year in the past decade or so where the St Geo was unrunnable due to ice a week before the race?
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Post by Ray Wirth on Apr 6, 2012 8:57:21 GMT -5
Would it make sense for the race directors to get together and move the whole season up a week? It seems like we've had far more low water situations in recent years than late iceout situations, and in the worst case it's easier to break ice than make water. Has there been a year in the past decade or so where the St Geo was unrunnable due to ice a week before the race? I've had the same thought. Maybe even move everything up 2 weeks. The only danger of that is you might get some really cold weather for the first couple of races -- but in the last few years the ice has been out and the rivers have been open early enough. |
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Post by loganfeeney on Apr 9, 2012 8:30:13 GMT -5
I chatted with a number of racers at the St. George on this very topic and I don't think you'll find much opposition to bumping the races up a week, even two. Many of us shared the opinion that we'd rather wear an extra layer and brave marginally colder temps than scrape the whole way down.
Looking ahead, we've got rain in the forecast, but will it be enough? Anybody scouted (or run) the Sou or the Marsh? How about the Kenduskeag? We've kept close tabs on the gauge, but many of us have never ran, or seen the river at 4.0.
As always, any info is appreciated.
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Post by cdalton on Apr 9, 2012 10:30:32 GMT -5
Not sure where the best station is, but at Rockland the difference between the temperature averages on 21 March and 28 March is about 4 degrees (high/low of 37/24 vs 41/28). That's not insignificant, but I'd rather have the water.
These days the weather report resembles the unemployment report: the good news is it's raining, the bad news is we need a lot more.
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Post by loganfeeney on Apr 11, 2012 8:39:36 GMT -5
Any updates? Photos?
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Post by Ray Wirth on Apr 11, 2012 9:29:31 GMT -5
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Post by michaelalden on Apr 11, 2012 10:41:15 GMT -5
Was in Hampden on an errand and I stopped by the Papermill Bridge (where a lot of spectators gather). Took some snaps of the drop before the bridge and the ledge right after (heading downstream). Not sure if this helps but for what it is worth:  |
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Post by loganfeeney on Apr 11, 2012 14:33:44 GMT -5
Thanks Michael. That does help. Unfortunately, it confirms what most of us have been thinking all week...there's just no water this spring.
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Post by Jeff on Apr 11, 2012 18:51:38 GMT -5
It may be low but I'm seeing paddleable lines in each of those pictures. This is why we keep plastic boats in the arsenal! I'll race whatever the race directors offer up. See you out there!
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