Progress on Fisher's Ford Park - OPEN

[paddledog]

Steve,

I am revealing my ignorance of concrete and half jack hammered stone, but what exactly is the reason for not surfing on the second feature? Concrete and half jack hammered stone sounds like any other rock I may hit my head while paddling. Just wanted to know if it's a foot entrapment hazard, has rebar, or something else that is especially dangerous which really is a big hazard, or if it is just sharp rock/concrete.

I'm not exactly looking to go out there tomorrow or anything (its just too cold), but wanted to understand what you were saying. Your updates are awesome.

Thanks,

MG

Rebar, concrete forms (with nails) and unknown entrapment dangers. This drop was not completed when the water was needed to be moved to the left side. It will be the first thing they clean up asap..... Sorry for the delay on answering, out of touch for a day or two....

[okieboater]

For what it is worth.

Back in the day of the Tulsa Wave, we had sections full of just what Steve mentioned.

The Tulsa Wave was formed at a spot of a river wide coffer dam. This was a safe area from sharp underwater stones etc. This dam was formed back in the days of little to no interference on what could be dumped in the river. Most of the dam was left over concrete rebar sections from various construction projects.

Locals knew most of the danger spots and we did our best to warn others.

Locals learned of these spots many times from torn paddle jackets, cuts and bruises.

What happens is most of the time at the water's surface things looked good. But go just under the water and you might hit rebar or sharp rock edges. This rock is not what is commonly encountered in our rivers. The rebar and the ultra sharp man made edges of the concrete is not the river worn stones most rivers have. Much more dangerous.

Not familiar with the work at the Ford, but Steve is.

So, even if it does warm up, the safe thing to do is stay away from the spots Steve recommends.

[paddledog]

Bill came out to shoot some drone footage,
Nice edit on a good day.
https://vimeo.com/80846693" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[paddledog]

These are a few of the latest pics.
Progress continues on the river right portion of the site.

[MaxTexan]

What a change

[Kayakin Cole]

Looks awesome! Thank you guys for keeping the paddling community up to speed on the progress. I think I speak for everyone when I say we thoroughly enjoy the panoramic pictures and drone footage. Good stuff!

[jdryden78]

Any speculation on how much further behind our little snap of winter weather will put them?

[paddledog]

At least a couple, so far.
Remember the construction crew is from Minnesota,
however the road crew getting them to site is not....

[jdryden78]

Yeah that was kinda what I figured. To them this is probably nothing.

[Owl]

I sure wish we had something like this in Fort Smith. Maybe I can convince the city leaders to forget about that Marshal's Museum (if they ever raise enough money to build it) and construct a WW park instead.

At least Siloam is half the distance to Rockport...

[okieboater]

Owl, all the way from Jenks, OK

I understand and share your pain

Makes me appreciate Siloam Springs and the Walton Foundation a bunch

And, the Ford is a lot closer to us than Malvern

dave

[MaxTexan]

Owl,

The drive up to the Ford, what is it AR 59, out of van Buren is always pretty. It is time well spent in your car.

I will fell likely when the OKC park is done because 275 miles will be the closest whitewater to me.

Fortunately or unfortunately I have discovered that Salida and Durango are actually closer for me than AR streams.

Dave

[paddledog]

25 degrees, snow on the roadside and the Ford is dropping from 5 feet.
Sounds like a good morning for a drive.

These are the latest, taken about 8 am 12/15
Upper Wave

Lower Wave

Upper Wave from bankside

I will be talking with the engineer for the
project soon and will report back any news.....

[magicmike]

At that level it looks really fun!-M-

[MaxTexan]

The center of the upper looks great