Cadron Friday 8/22

[Charlie D]

Heather, I think I will pass on the trip today, I'm pretty sore from yesterday..

Zach, although the creek was pretty muddy I did not notice a smell of any kind.

[akkayaker]

Im debating....on wether or not I will go with the level being so high....so at this point I am a maybe

[Karla]

Heather,
I think all that rain I was seeing on my way home from work yesterday headed that way and brought it up. I really don't feel I want to do it at that level, I thought it would be down to 3ish level today. If it drops tomorrow, I would be in.

I will call Minna, know she is geared up to go but let her make the decision and meet ya'll up there.

Hope to go tomorrow.
Post if going tomorrow.

Karla

[bmartin]

Wow - I was surprised to see the Cadron climb last night. Can't go today, but I will watch the board for trips tomorrow afternoon. I will be hunting for shuttles after 3P. I am guessing the level will be in the sweet spot tomorrow unless we get mo rain.

[Lupe]

I will be fine if everyone wants to postphone until the weekend. I wanted to go today because until it started to spike a second time, I thought today would have the best play level, but now it really will be pretty washed out. Still big fun, especially in August...but might be better to not use leave time from work today since it'll be there all weekend.

I think I'm out unless someone really really wants to go today. I think it'll be better (mo fun) to wait and go tomorrow (Saturday), and probably Sunday, too!

I'll start another post for a Saturday run in a bit...

[Zach]

Thanks Charlie for the water quality report, puts my mind at ease; I'll be ready to go tomorrow.

[Chester]

I agree with Charlie, water was only muddy yesterday, no smell at all.

On the fees, don't think it's a recent change, just a little confusing because of the possibilities. Last I heard it's $3.00 for ACC members with their boat, and $6.00 if you are not an ACC member and have a boat. Now, if you are a passenger in someone elses raft or boat, and not a member, I think it's still $3.00 for you. And if you are a member and a passenger only, it may be free, not sure. And there may be a bikini clause too.. Ya see, nuthin to it

[akkayaker]

Hmm...I hadnt heard about the "bikini clause"

[Gordon Kumpuris]

I was there Thursday and I noticed an odor right away. It smelled like dog poo. Kept thinking I stepped in it. Hmmm...there was an old dog hanging out there at the put in???

[WM]

Great day on the Cadron
Me, Cole and Sonny (newbie) put on at 10:30 level on stick gauge at 5',
creek was nice and fat, with some pretty big standing waves in a few places,
still some good eddys to catch.
Some rapids washed out, right route at lunch spot runnable no rocks showing.
Fast trip, even with Sonny's 4 swims, he actually did very well for his 1st Cadron run.


Wayne
aka Cole's dad

[Trismegistus]

Cadron Muses...

#1 -- I'm a bit removed from what Blake charges for access but I think Chester is about right: $6 non-ACC c/ boat, $3 ACC c/boat, $3 non-ACC no boat, and no charge for ACC no boat and Friends of the Cadron with access card.

#2 -- Open and free access. I'm all for it. In fact now is the time to make our move. The AGF&C is flush with cash and several AGF&C access sites are already in place downstream. Albeit perhaps not so obvious to our fishing and hunting breathren we really need at least two or three more access sites upstream of Highway 65:

a) Pinnacle Springs Bridge -- Be great for the AGF&C team up with Arkansas Natural Heritage, etc. and purchased a tract of land consisting of the Pinnacle Springs and the opposing shore, the field lying northeast of Moo Poo Beach/Shoals (great camp sites), Pinnacle Gap, Hidden Beauty and the oxbow lake to the north of the gap. It'd be a "mini state park" -- I can envision a trail coursing through some of the most beautiful countryside on the Cadron. Perfect for boat launches, swimming, baptisms, historians, geologists and of course fishermen and hunters as well.

b) Hartwick Mill Bridge -- This may actually be one of the first sites lost to development and is a great launch for new paddlers and families with younger kids who aren't quite yet prepared for the Pinnacle Springs Run. Albeit the fishing isn't as good during the paddling season -- it's best for wading -- I believe the AGF&F can still make a claim to support development of an access site here.

c) Highway 124 -- On a cold winter day this be one of my favorite icicle runs. And although the upper Cadron doesn't get near as much use as the lower Cadron it's time to get hold of a permanent access site while the getting is good.

Although I believe it is best for the public if the access is also publically owned , the ACC (or perhaps a member-donor) could purchase one or more pieces of property or easements to secure open access on the upper Cadron. And if the ACC doesn't wish to be responsible for its maintenance and liability we could subsequently transfer the property/easement to a public agency.

#3 -- And what about -- "creek funk" in places like Dierks, Rock Creek, Cadron, Wister Wave, and all those other "funky waters". Well we like our paddling streams like we like our bottled water -- tasteless, odorless, and clear of any and all impurities. The desire is behaviorally and biologically ingrained for pure, clean water is also tasteless, odorless and clear of impurities. But stink doesn't necessarily mean there is anything to fear. Dam releases and large rains stir up mud and anaerobic bacteria that release hydrogen sulfide gas. Our noses our good at picking hydrogen sulfide from the air and can detect as little 0.005 ppm -- a level that has no significant impact on anything but our noses. It takes 10-20ppm before it would irritate the sensitive lining of the eye and 2-300ppm or more before long term exposure would be harmful.

Similarly as the days grow longer and warmer, tiny plants called cyanobacteria also bring forth their musky, moldy, slimy air. Although many find this odor also a bit unpleasant to me it's like the "essence of earth" -- I guess it's because cyanobacteria-like creatures were here long before we -- they have been found preserved in 3.465-billion-year-old rock deposits.

The point I want to make is that much of what you smell is ancient, generally harmless, and integral to a healthy ecosystem. In contrast consider the sweet smelling dibutyl phthalates, polyoxyethylenes, tricolosan, sodium myreth sulfates, phenoxyethanols and such that we dump on our head/body every morning and down the drain.

Moreover you're not likely to hear many people complain about the quality of our water if they have ever paddled outside of the U.S. Compared to waters of South America or Asia or just about anywhere else in the world we are blessed. Not saying that it can't be better and that we shouldn't set our goals high but "tasteless, odorless and free of all impurities" water is not what we really want for our rivers. Stink be good!!

[Karla]

Gary and I are going to try out the Little Mo tomorrow. Mayby Cadron Sunday.

Karla