Playboaters: look out for wood!!
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13099
Printed Date: 16 Jul 2025 at 9:48am
Topic: Playboaters: look out for wood!!
Posted By: jP
Subject: Playboaters: look out for wood!!
Date Posted: 08 May 2013 at 11:31am
So last winter there was a huge wet snow storm followed by high winds on HWY 2 East of the pass. Hwy2 was closed for several days, after a few fatalities involved with falling timber. The whole Lake Wenatchee zone, Chumstick, Chiwawa, ect had lots and lots of windfall.
Now all this wood is working its way downstream, so beware...
Last night on the play run there was a substantial amount of wood out there, and I would expect a lot more to come. Large blunt logs and scraggly mobile strainers.
Usually when we are surfing we are zoning out on the foam pile. Rafts and kayaks are colorful and stick up above the surface, making them easy to spot out of our peripheral vision.
Just throwing out some suggestions here, and reminders to stay alert. I know it doesn't seem like it but I care about you all.
* keep your eyes trained upstream while surfing the Wenatchee. Lots of wood is submerged and hard to see until its right on top of you.
* while waiting your turn, watch for yiur friends and consider a whistle blast if you see wood coming while they surf.
*if you're really concerned, or see an abundance of wood out there floating down, take turns with someone out on the rock high above the surf spot (Rodeo & Turkey Shoot) where you can get a longer view upstream.
Whatever you do don't let it deter you from coming out and enjoying the best playboating experience our state has to offer.
Stay Thirsty, my friends
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🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋
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Replies:
Posted By: WA-Boater
Date Posted: 08 May 2013 at 11:38am
Last time we broke 16k @ peshastin was May 2008. That's 5 years of wood below the high water make making its way down. Good point JP.
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Posted By: otterend
Date Posted: 09 May 2013 at 6:46am
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December's storm caused remarkable damage. Miles of utility lines were deroped by treefall. Tens of thousands of trees are down in the Lake Wenatchee area, snapped in half or tipped over roots and all. Lots of trees are on the banks or in the channel on the Chiwawa and Nason Creek. Wood stacked on river right against the bridge pylon at Chiwawa River Pines blocks access to the park and play upstream from the takeout. No doubt, head's up.
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