Lake Level 4194.9

Lake Level Trend Dropping ¯

Water Temperature 86°

Hypothermia Index Exhaustion: Indefinite / Death: Indefinite

Current Flows Bear -> No Flow - Dry / Weber -> low / Jordan Goggins -> Low

Well, unfortunately, of the two scenario's we predicted at the beginning of summer, scenario #2 has prevailed. The lake has dropped like a rock this summer with hot temperatures and NO moisture. Utah may not be in a drought but we have certainly been in a very dry pattern since the end of February. All that great snowpack came from the lake and didn't come back. Our low lake level for the year will likely be around 4193.9 (one foot lower than now). How will this affect the boaters? Well, it won't affect the scullers and canoers (except where noted later in this newsletter). Most of the sailboats will be able to get out through the 2008 season. The deeper draft boats may be stuck in by fall though. We are working on a solution, that may buy most of the fall for the deeper draft boats. our trouble area right now is near 'B' dock. This is mostly silt and can be pushed through with minor difficulty. We hope to fix this with a "band-aid" approach.

We have a "band-aid" plan to take care of the "B Dock Hump", take out some of the remaining humps in, and around the mouth, and push a trench to the launch ramp. We have requested money for this plan and hope to hear on our request either today or tomorrow. So, here is the plan. We plan to hire Trestlewood (the company that dredged the marina this spring) to come back to the marina with their deep draft tug, the Lucin, and literally push through the muck. They would come down and make several passes through the marina pushing the silt down and to the side to create a trench at least 6' deep at the time of the operation. They may be able to blow the silted areas even deeper than 6'. This could possibly buy the remainder of the season for almost all the boats in the marina. It is a plan that is affordable, prevents permit delays, and can be done quickly. But it is only a band-aid with no guarantee of complete success.

Our timetable on this plan is for next Monday (if funding comes through). This may mean we will need cooperation from some slip renters. We will want to have the boats in the last four slips from "B' dock to ''E" dock, to relocate for that day. The Lucin will need to operate at moderate speeds in the mouth. This may disturb these boats. Further, we will need to do a marina closure of all boating activity during the day this operation is happening. The speeds and reaction time of the Lucin could be dangerous to ANY boating activity while they are operating. This closure would be for three to six hours and should only be for one day but could possibly stretch partially into another day.

Ok, with the lower water levels comes narrower pathways through the marina and the marina mouth. And with the shallow spots comes other hazard. Realize, that when you round the corner into the marina, There may be a boat stuck near 'B' dock. Watch your speeds. Keep a close lookout. Choose motoring in, as opposed to sailing in, when possible. The sailing group and the sculling group will have to be more aware of each other and work more closely together to avoid mishaps and accidents.

Typically a sailboat, operating with a motor, is considered a motorboat with regards to right-of-way rules. This means that the sail/motor boat is the give way boat to a sculler or other paddle boat. With this narrow mouth though, we will all just have to be aware of each other. The scullers, although small boats, have a wide profile with their paddles. They require a fair amount of room going out of the mouth. And their paddles are part of their stability. And the scullers, having such a low profile, are not easy to see compared to a boat with a mast sticking over the breakwater.

On the other hand, the sailboats, with their deep drafts, cannot operate safely except for a narrow path through the marina. Nor can a sailboat, with all that ballast and inertia, stop on a dime. It takes some distance to come to a stop. And even at a slow speed of 5 knots, a 5,000 pound sailboat can do a great deal of damage or injury in a collision.

Wakeless speed is not necessarily SAFE SPEED right now. 5 knots, right now, is excessive speed in the marina. Please, keep it slow. Keep a good watch. Whether you are in a sculling shell or a sailboat, we all have our challenges now and must work together in these narrow spots and shallow years.

As we move through August we will see less spiders and brine flies. But August always heralds that ever popular season known as the "Five Weeks Of Hell". Yes, It is Barn Swallow Season yet again. They have already arrived at Antelope Island depositing their special gifts on any boat that can be found. And their thoughts are now turning south towards our marina. Once they arrive here, the migration through the marina is quite a site to behold. They begin their early days here perching on spreaders, stays and spars over on 'B' dock. They then begin working on their special magic pink deposits here before moving on to pristine targets on 'C' and then 'D' and then 'E' dock. This migration takes about two weeks before reaching the trees of the Ranger Station where they rest up temporarily before continuing their journey to their eventual goal of 'K' dock.

These most obnoxious of birds take great entertainment from all the elaborate devices the human inhabitants of the marina contrive to keep the swallows from defiling their boats. Fake barn owls and rubber snakes are some of their favorite contrivances to perch on and stain. Yes, just as the spiders and flies must be tolerated during their season, so must the barn swallow. We are only fooling ourselves that we may control this pesky critter. But, with the return of September comes pleasant temperatures, fair winds, and a marina that the humans may reclaim as their own.

I would like to welcome our new members of the "Tufa Reef Fleet". We have four NEW inductees for the first weekend of August. Please give a warm welcome to ___________, __________, __________, and __________, On a serious note; DO NOT USE THE REEF CHANNEL BUOYS anymore. IT IS NOT A SAFE PATH. Boats with drafts shallower than four feet are running aground here. Use the Deep Channel Buoys. And remember, it is "Red Right Return". Not "Red Right Leaving". We have left the Reef Channel Buoys in only as a navigation guide for the rescue boats and as a guide to knowing where the end of the reef is.

I have been informed by the rangers that they will be walking the docks next week looking for registration compliance. This means that UT numbers AND current year registration stickers MUST be displayed on the boats. I have also been informed by the rangers that their will be no excuses. Do not bother emailing or calling here. I can't do anything about it.

The north side of 'B' dock is now very shallow. Some slips on the south side are facing the same challenges. Now is the time to make arrangements to move off 'B' dock for the winter. Call or email the harbor master for a new slip assignment. Your rates will stay the same as if you were still on 'B' dock. You will not loose your 'B' dock slip. Next year, WHEN the water comes back up, you will be able to return back to your slip. If you don't take this opportunity now to move, your keel may be wintering in the mud. If you were fine on 'B' dock during the winter of 2004-2005 you should be fine this winter too.

We will temporarily postpone the Around-The-Lake trip. Interest in this trip has been sparse. Maybe cooler temperatures and lower gas prices will bring some enthusiasm. A new date will be announced shortly based on interest.

Antelope Island is one of the true jewels in State Parks. You may not be able to boat up there but the drive is a quick 45 minutes. And Antelope Island offers some great recreational opportunities in the next two months.

Antelope Island is the largest of Great Salt Lake's islands. It is the home of over 500 bison and is one of the oldest herds in North America. Pronghorn and bighorn sheep along with Antelope, coyote's, eagles are some of the other visible wildlife on the island. There are numerous backcountry trails "which are open to horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing. A visitor center offers information on the island's unique biology, geology and history". (www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/)

Antelope Island Balloon Stampede should be a premiere event and a wonderful opportunity to experience all that Antelope Island has to offer. This event will be held September 19th and 20th and will include anywhere from 20 to 50 hot air balloons. There will also be vendor booths. Entrance fee to the event is $10.00 which includes entry to the park.

Buffalo Point Inc. operates a bistro at Buffalo Point on the island. This little restaurant is open noon to 4pm on weekdays and noon to 5pm on weekends. They also a Wildlife Safari and Boat Cruises. for more info call 888-878-8002 or online at www.davisareacvb.com

Last Saturday's "Row For The Cure" seemed to be a great success and raised quite a bit of money for the ''Susan G. Komen for the Cure". Congratulations to GSLR and Demie Moore and thank you for bringing this worthy event to the Great Salt Lake State Marina.