Upper Cadron Trip Report - A Fayetteville Shale Update

[Roger]

Yeah, just come on up here to Hiram to see their grand plan at work. Just had an ambulance and first responders out here this morning to the work site.

Tris, how much water would would need to do that section?

[KimL]

Has anyone confirmed a FERC permit here? Whose job is it? (Excuse me if I missed that earlier). In 70-something days, the law is on the side of people who want these jobs done right.

[Trismegistus]

"the law is on the side of people who want these jobs done right"

I'd like to think that the law doesn't change sides with each presidential election -- if that be the case then we have far worse problems than a little gas and oil exploitation on the Cadron. Moreover this choosing sides -- us versus them -- thinking that has become the political norm in America has shattered our ability to deal effectively with many of the big challenges we're facing as a nation. If America is going to survive and if Obama is going to bring about any kind of progressive order it's crucial that we stop taking sides and start healing the deep wounds that have been festering for so long.

Enough politics -- time to work together and share the love.

P.S. Kim -- why oh why did you temp me so? Open the door and I go pushing down the wall. My apologies.

P.S.S. Roger -- it's generally good to go anywhere above 3 feet. Even at 2.5 feet there's only a couple of places you have to skirt or drag.

[Cowper]

Roger -- it's generally good to go anywhere above 3 feet. Even at 2.5 feet there's only a couple of places you have to skirt or drag.

Interesting. From the 124 down to the Mill Bridge, 1.5 feet was enough for a "pleasant" float, with one portage and a few paddle-shoves in the shoals. I would have guessed that someone wanting to just see the creek, and not looking for a "fast water" experience might be able float above Hwy 124 with minimal problems even lower than the 2.5 feet you suggest. I note you did mention two forks come together above Hwy 124, so maybe a LOT more is needed "above 124" vs "below 124".
BOTTOM LINE, what I'm really asking for reference purposes, since you feel 2.5 is "near minimum" above Hwy 124, then what is your equivalent (same amount of dragging) "near minimum" for below Hwy 124?

[Jim Krueger]

Cowper, Tris.,

On the first Cadron trip I took Marlo on; Quitman to CCO , about2002 or 03, I could only guess the level was somewhere between 2-2.50ft., based on my later trips from CCO downstream. I just know the river was about perfect ,not to drag at all. John, I miss your brother and the dogs from those days, and your funny webpage! :)

Best Regards
Jim Moose

[Trismegistus]

The biggest hindrance to paddling on the Middle Fork is log jams -- there really aren't any shoals and thus in a low draft boat I do believe it can be paddled as low as 1.5 feet--probably even lower but it will be a tight track. The only shoals on this stretch are found just above the confluence with North Fork where you'll certainly drag at 1.5 feet -- but they are short and easy to surmount.

The upper North Fork is -- to me -- more beautiful and has slightly more flow than the upper Middle Fork but it is even more prone to log jams. Ton of wildlife on this stretch as well -- including some very friendly beavers.

I believe the minimum on the Ozark Whitewater site for the Cadron is set too high. We have paddlers all the time putting in at 0.9-1.2 feet that never drag -- I once thought that with just a little "enhancement" a trough could be established to allow open passage down to nearly 0.5 feet. No whitewater at that level, but pleasant float nevertheless. But then again:

Low = The level considered as "bare minimum" by many regular users of that stream. Floating is still possible even lower, but most regular users want significantly more water. At this level, some boaters will stay home; while others who live closer or have a greater need will go to the river.on you.

Note: I have not been on the upper portions of either fork since the wash-out floods this past September -- and the presence or lack of log jams could have a significant influence on one's experience.

Jim -- Nothing like seeing my bro' come greet ya' with a couple dozen dogs at his feet. Those were the days. :)

[KimL]

I think folks missed my two really important questions:
1. Whose pipeline is it?
2. Has anyone seen a FERC permit?

Tris, I won't even reply, except to say that you and I both know application of laws should be non-partisan, but it isn't.

[Trismegistus]

You sent me on a tangent -- but anyway back to the subject at hand: After two public meetings held just before Christmas last year -- one in Searcy, one in Forrest City -- FERC issued the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Fayetteville/Greenville expansion project on March 7th of this year and final approval certificate on May 2. Construction began soon thereafter and consists of two separate pipelines each just over 250 miles in length and carrying 750-850 cf of gas per day. As far as all these lateral lines -- most are just proposals and I don't think any of them are going through a public hearing process -- at least I haven't been sent notice.

The project was a slam dunk from the git-go as FERC concluded the project "would have limited adverse environmental impact" and no one then or now really mounted any opposition. I can't comment as to the meeting in Forrest City but the meeting in Searcy was a farce. Poorly attended and us "naysayers standing in the way of progress" were all but booed from the room. Moreover I am not very optimistic that those of us that are still continuing to battle it out in court will prevail -- if ever there be a "lost cause" this be one of them -- at best all we can do is slow 'em down. Sadly, at this point our only hope to curtail the exploitation of the Fayetteville shale fields is a deep dark recession -- the one thing we really don't want to happen.

P.S. The pipeline will be operated by Boardwalk Pipeline Partners a subsidiary Texas Gas Transmission LLC.

P.S.S. The actual EIS for the project can be found at Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Fayetteville/Greenville Expansion Project

[sugarmtngal]

Excellent thread Cowp.

Hey, what can one do when there are used and in good condition railroad ties and large imported white rocks thrown over the hills into the river (White River of West Fork). I suggested to a gal I was paddling with that I wanted to take the railroad ties back to my property and use them to make terraces, trails, etc. Manpower is all that is needed; but that would be identified as stealing, hey?

[Cowper]

Kim,
Sounds like you are planning some specific action. I won't ask you to show your cards publicly, but GodSpeed with whatever you're doing.

Sugarmtn,
Just be sure the railroad ties were really "thrown into the creek" by talking to the landowner. He/she may see it differently, and think they were "placed" there for bank stabilization. True Story - A friend once pointed me to one of the most perfect blowlogs I've ever seen, laying all by it's lonesome in a ditch along a dirt road, not really near any houses. We recoverd it and had a blast - several blasts, if anyone was counting. Later learned the log was considered STOLEN by the owner, an actual preacher-man who was using it to aerate his fields by running a chain through the center and dragging it behind his tractor. What looked to us like a log that had been pushed out of the way, to him was just property that he was storing near the road. (Dale still :pokes: me about that on a regular basis - the "damage control" fell to him...)

[Roger]

Cowper, was that the one we spotted off the road going into Dale's property a couple of years ago?

[Cowper]

Yep, pretty sure that was it. Three years ago now, wasn't it?

[Roger]

Yep, pretty sure that was it. Three years ago now, wasn't it?

Yeah, and thanks for reaffirming that my brain cells are still working! I'll post when I get ready to do the Upper Upper Upper Cadron (whatever section it's called) if you want to go.

[Clif]

Yeah, and thanks for reaffirming that my brain cells are still working!

:roll:

(shakes head and exits room...avoiding such easy temptation)

[Roger]

Yeah, and thanks for reaffirming that my brain cells are still working!

:roll:

(shakes head and exits room...avoiding such easy temptation)

Yeah, figured I'd get a bite with that one!

Back on topic with the pipline biz, construction crews have evidently opened up a spring right next to the highway as the trench that they've been boring underneath the road is about half full of water and appears to not be subsiding.