Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Cherokee Park Restoration
Stream Restoration Project along the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek in Cherokee Park. View more photos here.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Proposals to make rapids safer raise a raft of questions
There’s a boulder in Staircase Rapid on the South Fork of Idaho’s Payette River that can kill you.
If you spill from a raft upstream on the left side of the river, you might get channeled to the boulder’s submerged undercut face, where the water could suck you into a dangerous sieve. River guide Dean Fairburn drowned here in 2007. Some 15 to 20 rafts wrap here every season, according to commercial outfitter Chad Long, who co-manages Cascade Raft and Kayak with his extended family.
But with the river low this fall because of work on an upstream dam, Chad’s father, Tom Long, saw an opportunity. Could the boulder be moved to make the rapid safer? It’s not exactly natural, anyway: The Army Corps of Engineers reconstructed the run after a mudslide here blocked the river in 2001. So Tom got a stream-alteration permit from the state — and kicked off a heated discussion within the whitewater community.
Meanwhile, this past July, 23-year-old river guide Kimberly Appelson became the fourth person since 2000 to drown in a more notorious, natural sieve in Frog Rock Rapids on Colorado’s Arkansas River. This fall, officials there also considered tweaking the rapid to make it safer — rousing yet more debate.
Read more …
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Russell Fork
The Russell Fork River is a free-flowing stream with 16 miles of great whitewater between Haysi, Va., and Elkhorn City, Ky. Every year in October the Russell Fork has guaranteed water releases on the the weekends. Since I started paddling I have never missed a year of boating at the Breaks Interstate Park on this beautiful Kentucky/Virginia river.
Hollis and Jennifer came along for the ride and to see the park while Jay Thomas and Myself met at Garden Hole for a Saturday run of the upper section. It was unusually warm on this day, an added bonus and great paddling weather.
The Russell Fork is a beautiful river wether your paddling it, viewing from the high above the gorge, or swimming it, out of your boat through 20 Stitches while hitting every hole through the rapid.
This year, since I had the family in tow, we stayed at the lodge, which was a decent room with a spectacular view. I'll certainly be back next year, if not again this October.
Hollis and Jennifer came along for the ride and to see the park while Jay Thomas and Myself met at Garden Hole for a Saturday run of the upper section. It was unusually warm on this day, an added bonus and great paddling weather.
The Russell Fork is a beautiful river wether your paddling it, viewing from the high above the gorge, or swimming it, out of your boat through 20 Stitches while hitting every hole through the rapid.
This year, since I had the family in tow, we stayed at the lodge, which was a decent room with a spectacular view. I'll certainly be back next year, if not again this October.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Environmental Problems Dirty Coxs Creek
Government report gives poor grades to stream’s water quality and habitats
By Frank Johnson | The Kentucky Standard
A report card released Friday from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection shows Nelson County has some homework to do.
The Division of Water spent the last year evaluating the health of the Cox Creek watershed in northern Nelson County. The area’s final grade: C-.
The stream and its tributaries received poor marks in many of the eight categories the study measured, particularly due to high levels of E. Coli in the water, a decreasing numbers of fish and bugs, and the substantial loss of habitat and natural cover.
The results of the study surprised farmer Oliver Rodgers, who said he has invested heavily in measures to help limit the environmental impact of his farming operations.
“We are spending a lot of money on our end to protect the streams and put the nutrients where they need to be,” Rodgers said. “In a lot of respects, I think we are doing more than we have in the past.”
The area has historically been home to some of the county’s largest farms and with the planned expansion of U.S. 31E to a four-lane highway, it’s also a region set to experience a lot of growth.
“There is a delicate balance between promoting economic development and protecting our water resources,” said Katie McKone, a state environmental biologist who helped compile the report. “It’s hard to put a price tag on clean water, but it’s a goal we are compelled to pursue.”
Tommy Hart, Nelson County Kentucky Farm Bureau Board of Directors president, said that is a goal shared by many farmers in the area who are engaged in an ongoing improvement in farming practices.
“Farmers are, for the most part, pretty good stewards of the land,” Hart said.
For his part, Rodgers has invested about $40,000 to build a new feed facility for his cattle that will help prevent any animal waste from entering Cox Creek.
On a different farm, Rodgers has received help from the Nelson County Soil Conservation office in erecting a fenced barrier around the stream to allow it to return to a more natural state.
“That’s how serious I am about the streams,” Rodgers said.
Despite these efforts, the report shows progress in restoring water quality in the Cox Creek watershed is still a long way downstream.
Twelve points of the creek and its branches — six of which are in Nelson County — were monitored for eight signs of water quality and biological health. Grades were given for each and then an average score compiled from the results.
In one of these areas, the level of E. Coli in the water, a majority of the sites received an F.
“From May to November 2009, eight of the 11 sites had E. Coli concentrations above the safe standard for swimming 80 to 100 percent of the time,” the report said. “These levels may cause gastrointestinal illness if the water is swallowed or infection if contact is made with an open sore or wound.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, E. Coli is a bacteria that lives in the stomachs of ruminants such as cattle and causes diseases in humans when feces from such animals is ingested.
The report also noted substantial losses of what is called the “riparian zone.” The riparian zone is the land adjacent to a stream that has distinct soil types and plant communities, which aid in absorbing water and shading the stream.
For an area to receive an A, it must be at least 18 yards wide on each side of the stream. In the eight sites were the riparian zone was studied, the Cox Creek watershed received two Fs, four Ds and two Cs.
The report said the loss of the habitat provided by a large riparian zone is harmful to the ecological cycle of streams. It results in less bacteria for insects to eat, which in turn means less insects for fish to munch on.
However, McKone said these two problems are just some of the many factors that affect water quality.
“The problem is that there is never really any one issue,” McKone said. “It’s hard to say if you fix this one thing, it’ll get better. The goal of the report is to show the overarching issues that affect water quality.”
The information is pulled from a year-long collection of data conducted in 2009 about the creek and the tributaries that feed into it in northern Nelson County and nearby Spencer and Bullitt counties. The study was triggered by an initial evaluation that showed Cox Creek did not meet the standards for activities such as swimming and fishing required by the Clean Water Act.
McKone said the “Health Report” is part of a pilot program developed by the Kentucky Division of Water to better communicate its findings to the public and increase awareness of the problems in Kentucky’s waterways. The Cox Creek Health Report is the first to be publicly released.
The report does not come with any regulatory requirements or force government, business or individuals to make specific changes.
For more information Kentucky’s rivers, streams and creeks, visit the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Division of Water at water.ky.gov.
By Frank Johnson | The Kentucky Standard
 |
| Coxs Creek |
The Division of Water spent the last year evaluating the health of the Cox Creek watershed in northern Nelson County. The area’s final grade: C-.
The stream and its tributaries received poor marks in many of the eight categories the study measured, particularly due to high levels of E. Coli in the water, a decreasing numbers of fish and bugs, and the substantial loss of habitat and natural cover.
The results of the study surprised farmer Oliver Rodgers, who said he has invested heavily in measures to help limit the environmental impact of his farming operations.
“We are spending a lot of money on our end to protect the streams and put the nutrients where they need to be,” Rodgers said. “In a lot of respects, I think we are doing more than we have in the past.”
The area has historically been home to some of the county’s largest farms and with the planned expansion of U.S. 31E to a four-lane highway, it’s also a region set to experience a lot of growth.
“There is a delicate balance between promoting economic development and protecting our water resources,” said Katie McKone, a state environmental biologist who helped compile the report. “It’s hard to put a price tag on clean water, but it’s a goal we are compelled to pursue.”
Tommy Hart, Nelson County Kentucky Farm Bureau Board of Directors president, said that is a goal shared by many farmers in the area who are engaged in an ongoing improvement in farming practices.
“Farmers are, for the most part, pretty good stewards of the land,” Hart said.
For his part, Rodgers has invested about $40,000 to build a new feed facility for his cattle that will help prevent any animal waste from entering Cox Creek.
On a different farm, Rodgers has received help from the Nelson County Soil Conservation office in erecting a fenced barrier around the stream to allow it to return to a more natural state.
“That’s how serious I am about the streams,” Rodgers said.
Despite these efforts, the report shows progress in restoring water quality in the Cox Creek watershed is still a long way downstream.
Twelve points of the creek and its branches — six of which are in Nelson County — were monitored for eight signs of water quality and biological health. Grades were given for each and then an average score compiled from the results.
In one of these areas, the level of E. Coli in the water, a majority of the sites received an F.
“From May to November 2009, eight of the 11 sites had E. Coli concentrations above the safe standard for swimming 80 to 100 percent of the time,” the report said. “These levels may cause gastrointestinal illness if the water is swallowed or infection if contact is made with an open sore or wound.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, E. Coli is a bacteria that lives in the stomachs of ruminants such as cattle and causes diseases in humans when feces from such animals is ingested.
The report also noted substantial losses of what is called the “riparian zone.” The riparian zone is the land adjacent to a stream that has distinct soil types and plant communities, which aid in absorbing water and shading the stream.
For an area to receive an A, it must be at least 18 yards wide on each side of the stream. In the eight sites were the riparian zone was studied, the Cox Creek watershed received two Fs, four Ds and two Cs.
The report said the loss of the habitat provided by a large riparian zone is harmful to the ecological cycle of streams. It results in less bacteria for insects to eat, which in turn means less insects for fish to munch on.
However, McKone said these two problems are just some of the many factors that affect water quality.
“The problem is that there is never really any one issue,” McKone said. “It’s hard to say if you fix this one thing, it’ll get better. The goal of the report is to show the overarching issues that affect water quality.”
The information is pulled from a year-long collection of data conducted in 2009 about the creek and the tributaries that feed into it in northern Nelson County and nearby Spencer and Bullitt counties. The study was triggered by an initial evaluation that showed Cox Creek did not meet the standards for activities such as swimming and fishing required by the Clean Water Act.
McKone said the “Health Report” is part of a pilot program developed by the Kentucky Division of Water to better communicate its findings to the public and increase awareness of the problems in Kentucky’s waterways. The Cox Creek Health Report is the first to be publicly released.
The report does not come with any regulatory requirements or force government, business or individuals to make specific changes.
For more information Kentucky’s rivers, streams and creeks, visit the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Division of Water at water.ky.gov.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Russell Fork Schedule for this October
The annual Russell Fork Rendezvous has been moved to the first release weekend, October 2-3. The 2nd Russell Fork Free for All will coincide with Rendezvous on the 2nd. Here's a look at the four weekends:
10/2-3 | 800cfs | Russell Fork Rendezvous, Russell Fork Free for All
10/9-10 | 800cfs | Baddlun, Paddler's Appreciation
10/16-17 | 800cfs | Open
10/23-24 | 1100cfs |Lord of the Fork Race
The Baddlun is an extreme triathlon that includes a 14 mile bike course, 12 mile whitewater (Class IV-V) and 2.5 mile run. Not for the squeamish!
The Lord of the Fork is our annual extreme Class V downriver race in the gorge. Race history here.
Stay tuned for further information on all these events at http://www.russellfork.info
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hot Springs
John Mathews moved to Hawaii a long time ago it seems now. He doesn't get to see much whitewater there, except the break of the Pacific Ocean waves. We really feel sorry for him … we really do. So much that a bunch of new school Bardstown Boaters and old school Nelson Co. Whitewater Association (NCWA) members got together with John and his goggles for some runs on the French Broad and Pigeon Rivers.
We camped at Hot Springs in North Carolina, a town at the intersection of the French Broad River and the Appalachian Trail. On Friday we kayaked, canoed and rafted our way down the low-water French Broad at ~700cfs. It was a tight run for even the kayak, so I'm not real sure how the raft made it down. Darkness came in quick as we neared the takeout at Stackhouse — then the rain came in even quicker as we picked up vehicles and got the gear back to camp. Oh, Ryan swam this one. I think he was trying to open a beer and slipped out.
On Saturday the old-timers ran the French Broad with just a little less water and in their open canoes. Buck, Johnny and David E. aced it in the chase-boating category. David set his canoe in motion down river, minus himself, while the others chased it and he enjoyed a leisurely swim. All in true NCWA fashion.
On the other side of the mountains the rest of group ran the last release of the year on the "Dirty Bird," the Pigeon River. We had some rafts, a Duckie and a Shredder. Everyone enjoyed the run and we had a lot of fun even with the barrage of commercial rafting traffic.
We were especially grateful for Sarah's awesome photographs from the bank. She only missed one great photo opportunity of my wife Jennifer and myself showing everyone how it is done at "Lost Guide." I really wish you could have seen it, it was amazing, but there are no pictures, so it's hard to describe, so I won't.
On Sunday John and his goggles wanted even more whitewater action, so he took them to the Ocoee for another rafting trip. I'm sure they had fun there too.
For more pictures of the weekend click here.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Club Canoe Fleet
Here is a picture of the club's growing canoe fleet. The Bardstown Boaters also have a club two-person inflatable kayak otherwise known as a "duckie."
Join the club and get out on the water today!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A Closer Look at Kentucky's Red River
The Red River in its headwaters doesn’t look capable of carving through time one of the most scenic and geologically unique areas in the United States. It is a small, intimate stream not much wider than many Kentucky creeks.
However, the river’s westward journey from the Cumberland Plateau through the Pottsville (or Cumberland) Escarpment leaves in its wake a boulder strewn valley with natural stone arches, rock shelters, soaring cliffs and scenery that leaves visitors spellbound. The sheer grandeur of the Red River inspired Congress to designate National Wild and Scenic River status to the 19.4 mile section from the KY 746 bridge downstream to the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch. The Red is the only National Wild and Scenic River in Kentucky.
The Red River possesses two distinct floats for canoeists, kayakers and anglers: the swift upper Red River for kayakers and the much gentler middle section for canoeists and anglers.
Fishing the Red River requires patience. The middle section offers the best fishing. Clear water and lots of human activity make the smallmouth bass, spotted bass and sunfish jumpy on Red River. Downsize line size, wear drab clothing and use small, subtle lures such as 4-inch finesse worms and 3-inch boot tail grubs for smallmouth and Kentucky bass. Red in-line spinners work great on longear sunfish, rock bass and bluegill.
Rainbow and brown trout inhabit some tributaries of the Red River, such as Swift Camp Creek, East Fork of Indian Creek and the Middle Fork of Red River.
Paddlers on the Red shouldn’t be fooled by the creek-sized flow they encounter at the upper river access in Wolfe County. The upper Red River possesses one of the most awe-inspiring, remote and challenging stretches of whitewater in the southeastern United States.
Floats on the 10.8-mile upper Red begin at the U.S. Forest Service Big Branch put-in located just off KY 746 (do not use the KY 746 bridge as your put-in). You should scout all rapids on the upper Red to determine the best route and detect in-stream obstructions which paddlers call “strainers.” Cliffs rising from the bank along with huge boulders can make portaging around many rapids difficult.
Ice storms over the last several winters snapped off many trees in the Red River Gorge. These trees flush into the Red River with each flood, creating strainers. You don’t want to encounter a strainer blocking your route as you fly through one the upper Red’s fast rapids.
Whitewater kayaks are the best boats for floating the upper Red as canoes must be equipped with extra floatation and only experts should pilot them. Helmets and personal floatation devices must be worn. Helmets protect the paddler from the many overhanging rocks and ledges along this stretch.
The first few miles offer fairly gentle Class I rapids, until you reach the mouth of Stillwater Creek. The Red then drops into a Class II rapid called Stillwater Falls by some paddlers. The river picks up speed as the stream begins its fall off the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau and into the downward cut that made Red River Gorge. This rapid holds some huge boulders and requires quick maneuvering, especially at lower water levels.
The next major rapid in the float is a river-wide ledge referred to as the Falls of the Red, sometimes called Calaboose Falls. Run this ledge either far left or far right at low-to-moderate water. The middle may be best at higher flows.
The river again flows fairly gently for a time until the Red cuts around a right-hand bend at the eastern boundary of the Clifty Wilderness area near the mouth of Peck Branch. The first rapid you encounter, known as Entrance Rapid, marks the beginning of the Narrows of the Red, a long stretch of challenging Class II to III+ (depending on water levels) whitewater.
Entrance Rapid is a series of drops requiring quick maneuvering around mid-stream boulders. Move toward a large boulder on the left (looking downstream) to negotiate the drop at the end of this rapid. Gather your nerves and take a breather as the next rapid, the Dog Drowning Hole, lies just a short distance downstream. You must scout this rapid on your right (looking downstream). Dog Drowning Hole is a large churning, turbulent chute that can fool the paddler at low flows and buffet your boat with cross currents at high water.
The third, and last, rapid of the Narrows begins after the river seems to disappear around a bend to the right. Run this rapid center right and avoid the undercut bank downstream. The rest of the upper Red contains some Class II rapids until the take-out at the KY 715 bridge.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s stream gauge at Hazel Green should read at least 200 cubic feet per second for the best floating on the upper Red. For current readings, log onto http://www.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis and click on the “real time data” tab and then Kentucky. You can float this section at much lower water levels, but you may have to walk your boat through extended reaches of water.
The 10.5-mile stretch of the middle Red River begins at the put-in at the KY 715 bridge and concludes at the old ford across the river at the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch. Boaters may take out at the KY 77 bridge to make this an 8-mile float or continue on for two more miles to a take-out at the old ford below the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch on the right (looking downstream, access via Forest Service Road 23). Paddlers may also make the two-mile float from the KY 77 bridge to the same take-out below Schoolhouse Branch. This float is ideal for a summer evening or families with younger children.
The middle Red is easy floating with some sharp turns, boulder gardens and mild riffles as the stream flows through the heart of the Red River Gorge National Geological Area. The scenery is stunning.
The Blue Water Trails series supports Gov. Steve Beshear’s Adventure Tourism Initiative. Log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Blue Water Trails webpage at fw.ky.gov for a detailed map.
Red River Adventures: (606) 663-1012
Red River Outdoors: (859) 230-3567
However, the river’s westward journey from the Cumberland Plateau through the Pottsville (or Cumberland) Escarpment leaves in its wake a boulder strewn valley with natural stone arches, rock shelters, soaring cliffs and scenery that leaves visitors spellbound. The sheer grandeur of the Red River inspired Congress to designate National Wild and Scenic River status to the 19.4 mile section from the KY 746 bridge downstream to the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch. The Red is the only National Wild and Scenic River in Kentucky.
The Red River possesses two distinct floats for canoeists, kayakers and anglers: the swift upper Red River for kayakers and the much gentler middle section for canoeists and anglers.
Fishing the Red River requires patience. The middle section offers the best fishing. Clear water and lots of human activity make the smallmouth bass, spotted bass and sunfish jumpy on Red River. Downsize line size, wear drab clothing and use small, subtle lures such as 4-inch finesse worms and 3-inch boot tail grubs for smallmouth and Kentucky bass. Red in-line spinners work great on longear sunfish, rock bass and bluegill.
Rainbow and brown trout inhabit some tributaries of the Red River, such as Swift Camp Creek, East Fork of Indian Creek and the Middle Fork of Red River.
Paddlers on the Red shouldn’t be fooled by the creek-sized flow they encounter at the upper river access in Wolfe County. The upper Red River possesses one of the most awe-inspiring, remote and challenging stretches of whitewater in the southeastern United States.
Floats on the 10.8-mile upper Red begin at the U.S. Forest Service Big Branch put-in located just off KY 746 (do not use the KY 746 bridge as your put-in). You should scout all rapids on the upper Red to determine the best route and detect in-stream obstructions which paddlers call “strainers.” Cliffs rising from the bank along with huge boulders can make portaging around many rapids difficult.
Ice storms over the last several winters snapped off many trees in the Red River Gorge. These trees flush into the Red River with each flood, creating strainers. You don’t want to encounter a strainer blocking your route as you fly through one the upper Red’s fast rapids.
Whitewater kayaks are the best boats for floating the upper Red as canoes must be equipped with extra floatation and only experts should pilot them. Helmets and personal floatation devices must be worn. Helmets protect the paddler from the many overhanging rocks and ledges along this stretch.
The first few miles offer fairly gentle Class I rapids, until you reach the mouth of Stillwater Creek. The Red then drops into a Class II rapid called Stillwater Falls by some paddlers. The river picks up speed as the stream begins its fall off the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau and into the downward cut that made Red River Gorge. This rapid holds some huge boulders and requires quick maneuvering, especially at lower water levels.
The next major rapid in the float is a river-wide ledge referred to as the Falls of the Red, sometimes called Calaboose Falls. Run this ledge either far left or far right at low-to-moderate water. The middle may be best at higher flows.
The river again flows fairly gently for a time until the Red cuts around a right-hand bend at the eastern boundary of the Clifty Wilderness area near the mouth of Peck Branch. The first rapid you encounter, known as Entrance Rapid, marks the beginning of the Narrows of the Red, a long stretch of challenging Class II to III+ (depending on water levels) whitewater.
Entrance Rapid is a series of drops requiring quick maneuvering around mid-stream boulders. Move toward a large boulder on the left (looking downstream) to negotiate the drop at the end of this rapid. Gather your nerves and take a breather as the next rapid, the Dog Drowning Hole, lies just a short distance downstream. You must scout this rapid on your right (looking downstream). Dog Drowning Hole is a large churning, turbulent chute that can fool the paddler at low flows and buffet your boat with cross currents at high water.
The third, and last, rapid of the Narrows begins after the river seems to disappear around a bend to the right. Run this rapid center right and avoid the undercut bank downstream. The rest of the upper Red contains some Class II rapids until the take-out at the KY 715 bridge.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s stream gauge at Hazel Green should read at least 200 cubic feet per second for the best floating on the upper Red. For current readings, log onto http://www.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis and click on the “real time data” tab and then Kentucky. You can float this section at much lower water levels, but you may have to walk your boat through extended reaches of water.
The 10.5-mile stretch of the middle Red River begins at the put-in at the KY 715 bridge and concludes at the old ford across the river at the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch. Boaters may take out at the KY 77 bridge to make this an 8-mile float or continue on for two more miles to a take-out at the old ford below the mouth of Schoolhouse Branch on the right (looking downstream, access via Forest Service Road 23). Paddlers may also make the two-mile float from the KY 77 bridge to the same take-out below Schoolhouse Branch. This float is ideal for a summer evening or families with younger children.
The middle Red is easy floating with some sharp turns, boulder gardens and mild riffles as the stream flows through the heart of the Red River Gorge National Geological Area. The scenery is stunning.
The Blue Water Trails series supports Gov. Steve Beshear’s Adventure Tourism Initiative. Log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Blue Water Trails webpage at fw.ky.gov for a detailed map.
Red River Adventures: (606) 663-1012
Red River Outdoors: (859) 230-3567
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