TRT

[Cowper]

Looks like 2WD to me, and good creeks are worth a one mile drag anyway.

You do know where you were, right? DRAGover!

[Karla]

Dragover takeout Cowper. The pics don't do the roads justice, a lower car would drag a lot. It was worse in places even for a truck. So what did you think about the tree?, Not the landscape! Now would look like a good time to get rid of a big tree blocking the takeout. There are a few that use this in the club when other stuff not high enough.

[Cowper]

I sense that you’re enjoying the banter, but also would like a serious answer. So here we go:

The Road: Yes, it looks rough; a number of us own trucks that could easily negotiate it, but not all do. The important issue here is erosion control – if we keep driving down a rutted road, especially following rains, we’re going to put a lot of silt in the river. DeBo tells me that is BAD. So, either the road should be closed and bermed off, OR, some repairs and maintenance are in order.

Given that this is a long recognized and popular access point, my recommendation would be that you contact the Forest Service District responsible for the Dragover area, and find out what plans they have to mitigate the existing damage, repair the road, and implement some erosion control features to prevent further damage in future heavy rains. If they need a donation of a truck load of gravel or other road materials, we could probably help them with that.

The Tree: First, I would be really surprised if the tree is still there. This access point is used by a lot of folks, not just the ACC. Trees usually don’t last long when they fall across popular access roads. Without road improvements (see above), it is probably better for the tree to remain, and limit access, which in turn will limit erosion. I have no way of stopping someone else from cutting it, but I don’t want to do it. This tree is not a hazard to navigation; it has not fallen across the creek in some blind corner, or created a life-threatening strainer for novice boaters.

But just for the sake of argument, say the tree still is there. I checked; it would be over a 200 mile round trip for me to go do something about that. Based on most vehicle “cost of ownership” estimates, that means it would cost me about $100 to $150 to go down there, so that boaters won’t have to take an extra 60 seconds getting from the river bank to their car. That math just doesn’t inspire me to action – I’ve got to put things like Buffalo, Kings, and Little Maumelle River clean-ups much higher on my “to do” list.

My recommendation is that the next time you are going to Dragover anyway, take a small hand saw. While you’re waiting for the shuttle, clear away some of those smaller limbs, to make it even easier to pass your boat under or over this tree. It is all “dead wood”, and it is not “woody debris” being removed from a creek bed, so some light trimming would have no significant environmental impacts. You don’t need a chainsaw to make this a little better.

I look forward to seeing you at Rec School - I'll bring my handsaw and we can have a little practice session around the campfire!

[Jim E]

Good answer Cowper!!

I for one applaud all of the things you do.

I grow tired of those "expecting" you to do more at their or anybodies beckoning.

If they want or feel that it needs to be done, either do it themselves, pay someone to do it or learn to deal with it.

A person able bodied enough to paddle IS able bodied enough to use a hand saw, axe or maybe even a chain saw.

Just my 2 cents worth...not figuring in inflation.

[Karla]

Just messing with you Cowper. Someone had said "Bet if we say Cowper can't do this one, he would be one it" Anyway didn't expect you to drive all that way. Jim has talked about bringing his chainsaw next time. We need rain anyway before traveling anywhere besides the Spring.