GSL Slip Renters and Marina Users.

Ok,  This is what happened today at the marina.

After working for several months to come up with money, and waiting for the right timing to get the biggest impact for that money, we brought the tug boat “Lucin” down from Promontory Marina today.

The Lucin worked on blasting the mouth of the marina out with its prop as he wedged his bow into the rocks.  The areas we concentrated on were just outside the mouth, the marina mouth itself, the area to the launch ramp, the main channel in the marina and partially down behind ‘E’ dock.

We have had to wait until the water settled down before we could take soundings (there was so much silt and sediment in the water the depth sounders would not work for hours.

We have now checked almost all the areas and, at this time it looks like the “Lucin” was very successful.  It appears, from our soundings, that the mouth is now blown down to a depth of 6 to 7 feet (with one small hump of 5.9).  This does not mean our soundings are correct or that we picked up everything accurately so caution should still be used.  It is also possible the “Lucin” lodged debris loose that could also be a hazard.  So take it easy for awhile when going through the marina and mouth.

What the “Lucin” did was to blow a year’s worth of silt out of the mouth.  Some of this silt was two feet thick.  We are now back to the hardpan clay that we dredged to two years ago.  Once you start hitting this clay and become stuck, your boating season is probably over.  To remove the hardpan clay from the mouth is an extensive project that will cost a minimum of $50,000.00 dollars.

We have currently begun begging for about $5,000,000.00 dollars to dredge the whole marina, but with the current economic situation I am expecting no miracles of funding.

I apologize that you have not heard about the plans this week. We wanted to keep this low profile until funding was secure and we knew if we were successful or not.  We did not want to give any false hope.

At this point vessels drawing nearly 6 feet will likely begin having troubles getting out early to mid August.  Vessels drawing 5’ or more may begin having issues mid to late August.  And vessels drawing 4’ may possibly make it the whole year.  I wish we could have bought you all more of a boating season.  But we have done what it was in our power to do.  Who knows.  Maybe the legislatures will hear our plight and more money will be coming our way.

Now, on the bad side;  The marina stinks right now.  And the water in the marina looks like a Louisiana beach.  It’s black as black can get.  The “Lucin” also cut the anchor line to the red buoy outside the mouth.  So please stay close to the Green buoy until we can get this replaced.

The stink and the black color should go away in a day or two.

Safe Boating

Dave Shearer

Harbormaster

Great Salt Lake State Marina