The Urban Oarsman rows Gwragedd Annwn off the chart exploring the Alouette.

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

The July 22nd, 2014 Row. The Alouette.

: The Urban Oarsman Rows the Alouette River.

I have rowed Widgeon Creek, circumnavigated Siwash Island and voyaged from Grant Narrows to Maquabeak Park boat launch. It is time to Explore the Alouette.

The Alouette River has several branches, The Alouette River, the North Alouette River, Blaney Creek and McKenzie Creek. On this row, I am going up the Alouette as far as I can get. I have a late start and a five hour window for this row.

I launch Gwragedd Annwn at the Pitt Meadows Marina. $17.00 for the launch and parking.

I begin to row up the Alouette.

I start up the Alouette. On the north side of the river is a floathome with stained glass windows.

In researching this trip, I had seen pictures of this sunken/awash hull. She does not seem to have a name or registration number.

: Looking down river.

Past the Pitt Meadows Marina, most of the boats/boat houses are on the North bank where there is a power line.

I continue up river. I have to watch out for snags in the water.

It looks as if this boat is being stripped. She, too, has no name.

This is a cute boat. She is an electric Davidson “Chugger”. She gets over five hours of silent running time at 5 knots.

On the South side of the channel there is a sunken boat. The drop in river level is evident on her cabin top.

I row past the Pitt Meadows Paddling Club. It is just before the Harris Road Bridge. Their website is: http://www.pmpc.ca

There is quite a collection of paddling craft on site.

I row under the bridge.

The Audubon Society Field Guide to north American Wildflowers (Western Region) comments: The seeds of this species were ground by Indians for flour and roasted as Popcorn. When the mud in which the stems grow loses oxygen, a small amount of alcohol instead of carbon dioxide is produced by this and some other aquatic plants, including rice.

A Damselfly hitches a ride up river.

I saw numerous Blue Herons on the trip.

Where the North Alouette (left) and the Alouette (right) meet.

I row a few strokes up the North Alouette to look at the Pump Station and The River level gauge.

Looking North West, down the Alouette, where I have come from. The white speck is a kayaker heading up river.

Just past the junction of the Alouette and the North Alouette River, there is an Island in the middle of the Alouette. I pick the North (larger) channel. The Island is anchored by a large dead tree. Dead Tree Island?

Looking back at what I have named Dead Tree Island that I have rowed past. It is to the right, with the dead tree on it.

I continue on up river. I do not see much “civilization” as I row.

I am half way through my rowing window. Almost time to turn back. I think that I am good to row on a little further. I want to row off of the chart. The chart ends at the Neaves Road Bridge.

Sadly, none of my pictures of the hand-held GPS chart worked out.

The chart I have rowed off is #3062, Pitt River and/et Pitt Lake.

The Neves Road Bridge downriver to the west.

My rowing window is closing…Time to turn back.

The supports for the bridges show previous water levels in the river. The level has dropped and is still dropping.

The pilings show that the water level is as much as 1.3 meters or 51 inches higher in the recent past. I guess the trick is to know when the water level is highest.

As I row back past the Neaves Road Bridge, I see an inflatable raft coming downstream. There must be a place to launch from up river.

This row of trees on the South bank is downstream of the Neaves Road Bridge.

A kayak does have an advantage over Gwragedd Annwn…less draft.

A crew working on the south dike near the pump station.

Many routes are blocked by these pump stations. I need a lighter boat to portage around them.

There are thousand of these flowers along the river banks.

A favourite resting spot.

Returning. I am rowing down the southern channel .

There must have been some sort of dock here long ago. I do not know what these pilings were for. Shipping local produce or lumber out?

In this section of the river, you have to be very careful as there are many pilings just below the surface of the water. I collided with a few of them.

The weeds in the river show a slight downriver current.

Another Blue Heron on the river bank.

A pair of paddleboarders head upstream.

The Harris Road Bridge. There is a “Hand-carried” boat access here. It is between the left and centre pillars, just to the right of the left pillar in this picture. It leads down from a parking lot on the South East side of Harris Road and The Alouette.

I guess that into every row a little rain must fall….

A bow view of the white abandoned boat…I have seen a photo of this boat still afloat in June of 2012.

The water level has dropped since I row past her heading upstream.

I row back past the red abandoned boat. It looks like her back is broken.

Her life ring has been taken away to get her name painted on it. Note the power line to the dock.

I decide that every time I row past these flood control gates I will take a picture so I can judge the water level.

I walk back to the parking lot to get my FJ and trailer.

It is a short walk to the parking lot. There are only a few boats out today.

Gwragedd Annwn looking good at the dock.

All loaded up and ready to go. I will come back again with more time to row and explore past the Neaves Road Bridge.

Trip length: 13.75 kilometers, 5 hours 15 minutes at the thwart.

I rowed The Alouette and explored her five times. Here is a graph of the water levels at the Alouette River Gauge for the rows:

If you want to know the approximate river for your trip, go tohttp://www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/riverlevelsapp/RiverLevels?

The assumption is that the level will not vary too much from day to day. Check the level the day before your trip and then add an hour to the levels and you will be in the “ball-park” range for the water level. There are not truly accurate tables for the river level. This is only an estimate.

Happy Rowing,

Mike

Posted in Under the Keel.... | Tagged Alouette River, Blaney Creek, Bordertown, Codd Island, Codd Wetland Aguilini Reserve, Codd Wetlands Regional Park, Gwragedd Annwn, McKenzie Creek, North Alouette River, Oarsman, Oarsmen, Otters., Pitt Meadows Marina, River Otters, Rowing, South Alouette River, The Urban Oarsman, Urban Oarsmen | 4 Comments

Baking in the Summer Sun, The Pitt River Row.

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

The Pitt River Row. The tide at New Westminister is going to be high at 6:36am at 3.0 meters or 9.8 feet. The low tide is at 2:47pm, at 1.0 meters or 3.3 feet. The Pitt River water level gauge is near Port Coquitlam BC, located at Latitude:49° 14′ 40” N, Longitude:122° 44′ 00” W, near the Railroad Bridge. Here is a graph of the water level at the gauge for July 14th, 2014:

The “Low-high” water was at approximately 7am, PST. The “Low-low” water is around 4pm PST. Widgeon Creek is about two and a half hours behind the gauge. I am expecting high water around 9:30 am PST (10:30 local or daylight savings time), with the water level falling until 4 or 5pm. The link to the river level site is: http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/index_e.html .

The New Westminster tides are:

2014-07-14 Monday

Time Height
PST (m) (ft)
01:54 2.1 6.9
06:36 3.0 9.8
14:47 1.0 3.3
20:38 3.1 10.2

The Rowing Plan:

Gwragedd Annwn and I are being dropped off at the Grant Narrows Boat launch. My son will pick me up at the end of the row. I will row across Grant Narrows to Widgeon Creek to check the depth gauge in front of the “No-trespassing” cabin, then over to see if the float I put on to mark the pipe that I had run into is still there. I will then row down Widgeon Slough, (the channel between Siwash Island and the west bank), re-enter the Pitt and row down to the boat launch under the Port Mann Bridge for pick-up.

Launching Gwragedd Annwn. Paul is driving away and will pick me up at the end of the Row. I will phone him and tell him where and when to pick me up.

Entering Widgeon Creek Estuary. The “No power boats” sign. There is almost no wind and the water is flat, flat, flat.

Two kayaks are ahead of me.

Two kayaks are astern of me. I continue rowing upstream toward the depth gauge.

The depth marker gauge. I have never see the water this high here. Well over the 7 foot mark. I row over the gauge. Probably 8 feet of water.

The “No-trespassing” cabin is gone…Burnt. The trees show signs of the fire. The dock is still intact. The cabin was here on June 23^rd, 2014, when I put the orange float on the pipe that I had run into on my April 1^st, 2014 row. When did it burn down? I found this story on July 21^st, 2014:

There is a news story on the CKNW site about the cabin burning. Check out this link: http://www.cknw.com/2014/07/21/suspected-arsonists-caught-on-camera-in-coquitlam/

There was another story on July 22^nd, 2014:

http://www.cknw.com/2014/07/22/three-people-surrender-in-alleged-cabin-arson/

Here is a copy of an article in the Vancouver Province on July 23^rd, 2014:

All of the Kayakers are as surprised as I am that the cabin is gone. I row toward Widgeon Slough, the channel between Siwash Island and the west bank.

I find the orange float on the end of the pipe. I hammered it onto the pipe on June 23^rd, 2014. Good to see that it is still there on the business end of the pipe.

Another look at the float. At least if you run into it now, the float will prevent the pipe from scratching or penetrating your hull.

The pipe before I hammered the float on to it’s end.

The pipe after it I “Belled” it with the float.

I row past the pipe hazard now marked with an orange float, South into Widgeon Slough, the channel between Siwash Island and the Western shore. The reeds in the channel point into the channel, indicating that the tide is still coming in at this point (9:21am).

The wind begins to pick up. The weather prediction is for light winds from the south, up to 3 meters per second, or 11 km/hr. Here is the Widgeon Creek link:

(http://www.yr.no/place/Canada/British_Columbia/Widgeon_Creek/hour_by_hour_detailed.html)

Google Earth image of the first leg of the row.

The Pilings.

A dragonfly hitching a ride away from the wind.

There are a lot of Indian pond lilies (Nymphaeaceae) in the channel.

More hitch-hikers. The wind is blowing more than 10km/hr now.

Rowing into the wind. I am making about 2km/hr headway here.

The view North, rowing into the wind. Siwash Island to the East (right).

A floating Dock on the West bank, in Widgeon Slough, the channel between Siwash Island and the west bank of Pitt River.

The water is so high that the speed limit sign is submerged.

This is what the sign looked like when I was here on January 18^th, 2014.

I row out into the middle of Fox Reach. Rowing plan “B”: If the wind is too strong it will push Gwragedd Annwn back towards Grant Narrows, and I will row back up river, circumnavigate Siwash Island and explore more of Widgeon Creek with the high water. Rowing “Plan “A”: If the current flowing downstream has a stronger effect on Gwragedd Annwn and she goes downstream with the current, I will continue on and row to the Port Mann boat launch.

Even with the 10+ km/hr breeze, Gwragedd Annwn is moving with the current downstream between 2 and 3 km/hr. With rowing, I can make a boat speed of 2 to 3 km/hr through the water, giving me an over the ground speed of between 5 and 6 km/hr. I opt for plan “A” and row down river.

Private docks on the west bank of the Pitt River by Munro Creek.

The second leg of the Row. The chart shows the unnamed islet is 14 meters high.

River side view of the Quarry. It is still active.

The islet appears. There is 22 meters of clearance under the power lines.

Cliff face at MacIntyre Creek, North side.

Leaving the islet astern. I saw a camp-fire pit on the islet as I passed. Could be an interesting place to camp for the night. It is getting hotter. One liter of water drunk.

Swaneset Bay Resort & Country Club as seen from the river. As you are driving to Grant Narrows Boat Launch, the good pavement ends just past the entrance to the club.

Just past Addington Point on the west shore, Pitt River Quarries as seen from Pitt River. The Quarry is very noisy when the machinery is running. I feel sorry for the Swaneset Bay Resort & Country Club members. Such nice pavement to the club and then all of this noise. Maybe the quarry does not run on the weekends.

Third leg of the Row and time for lunch. I have a sandwich and a bottle of iced tea as I drift down river past Addington Point.

Looking North at Addington marsh. The breeze up river is dying off and I am making better time with my through the water boat speed. I finish off my second liter of water.

I am in Chatham Reach. There are a lot of old pilings here. Many of them have vegetation growing on them.

Fourth leg of row, showing Pitt River Marina, Alouette River, Pitt River Bridge and the Railway Bridge. The pilings and dolphins do not show in this image.

More pilings. You can see these pilings from the Pitt River Bridge.

Pitt Meadows Marina in the distance. It is on the South-East shore where Alouette River enters the Pitt River. I am in Chatham Reach staying river right.

The Pitt River Bridge in the distance.

I am rowing backwards for visibility, keeping river right as I pass under the bridge.

Almost under…….

Under the Pitt River Bridge. Current speed is 3 kh/hr.

On the South side of the Bridge.

Fifth leg of row.

Looking North, up river at the Pitt River Marina.

Going under the Railway Bridge. The Pitt River water level gauge is in the long footing in the background on the south end. I am still staying river right.

Looking at the underside of the railway bridge.

Where the water gauge station is located.

Leaving the bridges behind. There is almost 4 km/hr of current and the wind has stopped. It sure is hot with no cooling breeze. I have another iced tea. I brought with me two liters of water and nine 710 ml bottles of iced tea. Only four bottles of the iced tea were in the cooler. Well better warm iced tea that no iced tea.

A train starts to cross the railway bridge. Glad that I am not under it now.

Log booms to river right. I must be careful not to get stuck by the current against them.

Strange looking building on the East shore. Looks like a traffic-control tower.

Barges moored to river left.

Not all of the barges look derelict.

Leaving the “traffic-control” building behind.

Passing by the Marina by the Gillnetter Pub.

The Gillnetter Pub dock. Next row I will stop here for lunch.

Sad ending for a clinker putt-putt boat.

Two mothballed Albion ferries, the Kulleet and the Klatawa at Tidal (Harken)Towing. Their route used to be between Albion to Fort Langley. It was discontinued when the Golden Ears Bridge was opened on July 31^st, 2009. They were transit ferries.

MV Kulleet
Built: 1972, Vancouver BC. Length: 47.46 m (155’8″)
Power: 650 hp Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 355.04 Car Capacity: 26
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 150
Route: Albion to Fort Langley. Discontinued.
MV Klatawa
Built: 1972, Vancouver BC. Length: 47.46 m (155’8″)
Power: 650 hp Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 347.58
Car Capacity: 26
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 150
Route: Albion to Fort Langley. Discontinued.

Now this is what should happen to old clinker boats. this double-ender is probably getting better treatment than my pampered clinker putt-putt boat, “Snowdrop”.

Final leg of the Row. Ending at the Port Mann Bridge Boat Launch at Maquabeak Park.

The Pitt enters the Fraser River. The current was flowing at 8 km/hr at the point.

The walkway out from Traboulay Po Co trail, South of Argue Street.

The new and old Port Mann Bridges. I am rowing backwards here as there are many logs stuck in the mud near the Fraser’s shore. I have to keep to river right so I do not get taken past the boat launch by the current.

Missed that hazard!!

Missed that one too!!

The current is running at 8 km/hr as I pass this still-growing tree.

View of the two bridges as I pass by Tree Island.

The bridge removal guys have built a bridge to the old Port Mann Bridge footings. It is being used to remove the old bridge structure.

Another view of the temporary bridge structure. It will be nice when all of this stuff is removed. It is cluttering up the river here. It will be nice when the boat launch is put back to normal and not being used as a bridge removal/water main installation site.

Gwragedd Annwn at the beach, Maquabeak Park (Port Mann) boat launch. The river current is flowing at 5 km/hr past the pilings in the background. The end of the row. It has been a six hour trip. My son, Paul will be arriving soon to pick Gwragedd Annwn and I up for the trip home.

Happy Rowing,

Mike

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The Siwash Island Circumnavigation

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

The Urban Oarsman Circumnavigates Siwash Island.

Chart image of the Row.

Tide notes for the trip. I am still trying to figure out the tides here. They are very effected by the flow of the Fraser and the Pitt Rivers.

This water level chart for Pitt Lake was taken from the Pitt River and/et Pitt Lake chart #3062.
Some of the lowest water levels for the lake are in the winter. I need to have a high tide to go here.

Crossing the Pitt River Bridge at 9:30am, January 18th, 2014. A little foggy this morning.

The route I took rowing around Siwash Island.

Gwragedd Annwn at the Grant Narrows boat launch dock.

The wind flag shows almost no wind.

10:23am, leaving the Grant Narrows dock. The tide is flowing 1.5 knots upstream.

The point North of Grant Narrows is shrouded with fog.

Until this row, I had never noticed this depth gauge at Grant Narrows. I wonder what the scale is.

Artsy picture of the East shore with the sun peeking through the fog and trees.

A piling on the East side of Pitt River, showing the tide current flowing upstream. The entrance to Widgeon Creek is in the fog behind. The low shore line is Siwash Island.

I stitched together this panorama view of the entrance to Widgeon Creek on the West shore.

I row across Grant Narrows to Siwash Island. The Island does not rise very high.

The upstream tidal current is not flowing as fast on this side of Grant Narrows.

Rowing down river against the current.

Downstream Pitt River. The way is quite foggy.

Looking North towards Widgeon Creek Point.

Dead overturned boat on Siwash Island.

I stop rowing and let Gwragedd Annwn drift with the current. .7 knots upriver.

The morning fog begins to burn off.

Open sky to the West.

The entrance to Widgeon Slough.

Google Earth picture of my route

Rowing into Widgeon Slough

Unlike Widgeon Creek, Widgeon Slough has a speed limit.

The dock just inside the entrance.

A power boat goes in for a look, the dock is in the background.

The first side channel heading to the South-West.

The second side channel heads to the South-West as well.

Looking North up Widgeon Slough.

The power boat heads back to Pitt River.

A floating camp. It is in the Google Earth Picture below:

I continue North up Widgeon Slough.

I startle a flock of Trumpeter Swans. They fly away up channel.

The sky is clearing from the North. I am rowing into sunshine!

A side channel to the West.

The Google Earth picture shows a structure should be here. Now there only pilings.

Google Earth image of the structure that is no longer there.

All that is left of the building.

Bird boxes up a side channel on the West side of Widgeon Slough.

Widgeon Valley to the North.

Widgeon Point is visible to the North.

I continue rowing up Widgeon Slough.

This is the passage to Widgeon Creek.

Where Widgeon Slough and Widgeon Creek connect.

Looking South down Widgeon Slough.

Google Earth image of where Widgeon Slough and Widgeon Creek connecting.

An eagle flies away from me.

A camping canoeist returns to Grant Narrows after a pleasurable but cold camp-out.
His canoe is powered by an electric trolling motor.
The clouds are moving in from the South. It is getting noticeably colder.

The Widgeon Creek Depth Gauge. It is showing 5 feet? The tide is still coming in.

The no-trespassing cabin.

The tide is high enough to enter the East side channel. The current is flowing in.

Rowing up the side channel. I row in backwards for maximum visibility.
I will take the side fork that goes to the South-East.

I row over the log across the channel. I have to use my oar to push it down so I can cross it.

Back to the main channel. It leads to the North-East

Continuing up the channel. I run aground and turn back. I need higher water to reach the source.

The clouds are getting lower and lower. It is now quite chilly and I put on my wind breaker and scarf.

Passing by the Widgeon Creek Depth Marker on the way back to Grant Narrows.

Thirty minutes later I am at the Grant Narrows Depth Gauge. 5 feet?

The water level is up to the top mark on the ramp.

The tide does look to be very high.

Side by side pictures of the Grant Narrow Water Level Gauges. The tide did come in during my row.

Rowing around Siwash Island took about 2.5 hours.

A wonderful way to spend the day.

The Urban Oarsman rows at dusk

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Widgeon Creek. The High Water Row

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

I am going to Row Widgeon Creek at the highest water ever for me. I intend to row up the western most channel between Siwash Island and the West Shore.

Putting Gwragedd Annwn in at Grant Narrows. The water level is very high.

Rowing away from launch. It is a sunny, calm day.

Amazing! This boat slowed down.

Looking a the shoreline where Widgeon Creek Lodge used to be.

Piling at the north side of the mouth of Widgeon Creek.

The no power boats sign.

The water is deep everywhere. I do not have to follow the creek channel.

A canoe heads upstream. The estuary is very wide here with the water so high.

This is the highest I have ever seen the water on the stump.

The depth marker piling.

Six feet!

Authentic beaver stick, gnawed on by B.C. beavers.

The no-trespassing cabin.

Rowing past the cabin. I will take the fork towards the campsite.

The side channel to the right (east) that is usually to shallow to explore.

Past the fork, heading towards the campsite.

The water is up to the reeds.

Widgeon Creek Wildlife area sign.

The skunk cabbages are some of the earliest plants to flower.

Does this flotsom in the trees indicate the highest water level?

This is where the channel I intend to take branches off of the campsite fork.

Not a lot of water even with the water level this high.

I back up the channel for better visibility.

The channel widens as I leave the campsite fork behind.

Continuing down the channel. There is a lot of depth here and the rowing is easy.

A shallower spot where a creek enters from the West.

I touch bottom several times as I attempt to find the channel though.

Moving into deeper water.

Looking South-East. The channel is deeper here.

There are still shallow spots as I row on.

I pull over into the reeds so the wind will not blow me back as I have a drink and a sandwich.

Looking back down channel.

This channel is right up against the mountain. I am now heading back towards Siwash Island and the Pitt River.

Another side channel leads back towards the mountain.

The channel moves away from the mountain and South-East into the marsh.

The channel is now heading almost directly East.

I am looking North-East. The line of trees is where the North Shore of where Widgeon Creek along to the Pitt.

The South- West view astern.

I am hugging the South bank to avoid the wind.

Looking North-West. The channel is quite wide here.

The line of trees to the West marks where the channel runs along the mountain.

This is where the channel connects with the channel around Siwash Island. Siwash Island is directly ahead.

There are a lot of posts crossing here in the channel.

Sorta makes you wonder what the fence used to be for?

The channel around Siwash Island leads to the South from here.

The Widgeon Creek estuary. The stump is in the distance ahead.

Sadly, the mirrors are not perfect. I ran into this pipe rowing to the estuary. I guess that it used to have a very informative sign attached to it. I am going to call this pipe the “Cat’s Claw”, for the scrape it put along Gwragedd Annwn’s port side. When I circumnavigated Siwash Island on my last row here, I was rowing Gwragedd Annwn backwards, saw and avoided this hazard. I was more to the East side of the channel.

The beach by the no-trespassing cabin.

The depth-gauge piling. During the hour and a half that the row has taken, the water level has dropped six inches?

I am going to see where the side channel to the West of the no-trespassing cabin leads.

Too shallow to go over the logs, must go around.

At times, a tight fit.

Around the first set of logs,

Squeeze past the second set,

Push through the reeds,

Looks wider ahead.

Into the wide spot. The water is quite shallow here.

Almost at the end of the line.

The water is too shallow to continue on a falling tide.

Back past the logs.

Almost back to the channel in front of the no-trespassing cabin.

I think that it always looks prettier at high water.

There is still enough water to try the first side channel to the North-East.

I am in the channel. I am going to see how far I can get.

Wide and shallow here.

I continue heading up, travelling North-East.

Some sort of barrier. It is made of rocks.

Can I slip by? There is clear water on the other side.

Just enough room on the starboard side to slip by.

The channel carries on beyond the barrier.

Close-up showing how high the water got on this tide. I have to be careful so I do not get stuck beyond the barrier on a falling tide.

Rowing backwars for better visibility, I leave the barrier behind and explore up the channel

Past the barrier, looking South to where I have come from.

looking North-East up channel.

Near the end of the navigable channel on this tide. It seems to go right up to the edge of the hill. I will have to try this on a higher tide.

Back down the channel with the outgoing tide. There is a current flowing out of the channel and into Widgeon Creek.

The water is still quite deep where the side channel enters the main Widgeon Creek channel.

The scum-line on the logs suggest that the water has been nearly two feet higher that it is now. The water has fallen over a foot from its highest point today.

The canoeists head home too.

Good-bye no-trespassing cabin.

The depth gauge piling showing a water drop of over a foot in the three hours I have been rowing here.

The stump shows a drop in water too.

The estuary is still quite deep. It is beginning to shallow and I stay close to the channel.

Leaving Widgeon Creek Behind.

There is a breeze up river as I cross to Grant Narrows.

Gwragedd Annwn awaits for her trailer tied to the dock.

Taking Gwragedd Annwn out.

Composite photo of the Gauge piling showing water levels during the row.

Ready to be secured for the trip home.

Good rowing to you.

Mike

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The Urban Oarsman asks: “How deep is the water?”

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

As an Urban Oarsman, you will occasionally want to know how deep is the water that you are rowing in.
What is the easiest way to do this you ask? Depth Sounder Oars are the answer.
Turn your oars into a depth sounding device. There are two methods:

Method one:

Turn your oars into a Depth Sounding device by marking one oar with lines 1” thick on the blade.

It helps to mark the lines with the depth (I use inches) so you know at a glance how deep the water is.

To use: Hold oar with both hands and stick upright into water. Read depth from scale on blade.
Note: this only works in water as deep as the scale is on the oar.

How useful is this you might well ask?…well not very…

Why?,
1. Well Gwragedd Annwn needs eight to ten inches of water to float in. If she is not floating I already know that she is in less than eight to ten inches of water.
2. You have to stop rowing and take the oar out of the oarlock to use the Depth Sounder Oar.
3. You have to stand up in the boat to use the Depth Sounder Oar.
4. The scale on the blade does not go very deep:

Method two:

Is there a better way? A way to measure the depth and row at the same time? Yes there is.
Let me explain…

While I was rowing in the pitch-black waters of Burnaby Lake, I noticed that sometimes my oars were striking the bottom as I rowed along. The water was so black that I could not see through it to the bottom below, even in eight inches or less of water. I would just notice that Gwragedd Annwn would stop moving and the oars were churning up mud because she had run aground in the weeds and mud in the shallows of Burnaby Lake.

I noticed that the angle of my oars had a correlation to the depth of the water. When my oar blades were covered to the shoulder of the blade by the water, I was in about twelve inches of water. The deeper my oar stroke, the deeper the water. It was not hard to figure out the angle and the corresponding depth.

I did this the easy way, I put Gwragedd Annwn up on the beach at HSC and blocked her up so she was level and her waterline was at twelve inches above the beach. I then put her oars in the oarlocks and measured up from the beach to waterline and marked each oar. When she was on her road trailer, I measured to determine where the waterline would be on the oars for eighteen and twenty-four inches of depth. I marked my oars with white tape at Twelve, Eighteen and Twenty-four inches of depth.

See photos:

Gwragedd Annwn’s oar marked for Twelve Inches of depth.

This is my normal rowing stroke. I put the oars down between eight to twelve inches deep.

The water line is at the shoulder of the blade. The first stripe of tape is at the waterline, at twelve inches.

Gwragedd Annwn’s Oar marked for Eighteen Inches of depth.

If I bury the oar to the second strip of tape, the oar tip is at Eighteen inches below the waterline.

If I touch bottom with the oars, I know that I am rowing in Eighteen inches of water and I have about ten inches of clearance from the keel to the bottom.

Gwragedd Annwn’s Oar marked for Twenty-four Inches of depth.

If I bury the oars to the third strip, I am in Twenty-four or more inches of water.

Notice the steep entry angle of the oars…”Rowing over Stumps” to quote Philip Bolger.

Rowing Gwragedd Annwn is good in any water twelve inches or deeper. The oar blade is fully immersed and the angle at the oarlocks is easy to row with.
Once you have found where to put your stripes, get some one inch wide painting tape and mask off your oars. Be sure to mark the aft or inside of the oar so you can see the stripes as you row. You could do as I did, mark the forward or outside face of the blade with the horizontal strips every inch (or whatever measurement you like) and the aft or inside face with the angled stripes.

Paint the oar stripes white. Let dry. Mark the stripes with the measurements.

You can use waterproof white tape instead of painting if you like.

Go rowing. Bury your oars to test the depth. Take a stroke on the oars to sound the lead.
Two feet or more? Good Rowing.

Mike

Coming soon…Pogies; Internet hoax or a cold weather rower’s best friend?

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The Urban Oarsman rows the Maelstrom to Lighthouse Park

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

When the tide is ebbing out of Burrard Inlet, there is quite a current running out of harbour from Lions Gate Bridge. The current flows along the West Vancouver Shore, tapering off near Lighthouse Park. The maximum predicted current for today is 5.5 kts at 10:29 this morning. Here is the tide table for Point Atkinson from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada site:

2013-05-26 Sunday

Time Height

PDT (m) (ft)
00:53 3.2 10.5
05:51 4.5 14.8
13:09 0.2 0.7
20:31 4.7 15.4

I intend to ride the current out to Lighthouse Park and then ride the flood back into the harbour. I will launch around 10:00am and start the return trip from Point Atkinson when the tide eases. I will row along the shore in the back eddies until the tide begins to flood and then row out into the harbour to ride the current back to Hollyburn Sailing Club. Here is an overview of the currents flow:

At 9:30am I put Gwragedd Annwn in at HSC and row out into the Maelstrom.

This is a short clip of Gwragedd Annwn riding the current past the “Beach House” restaurant beside Dunderave Pier at the foot of 25th Street, West Vancouver. The current speed is between 4.25 and 5 knots.

The waves are not too large today. There is no oncoming (Westerly) wind to make them higher. I have been out here when the surf kayaks are playing in the current. Today is not the day for them to be out, too tame. A good day to row, not to surf.

Too flat for the Surf Kayaks to play in.
Vancouver always looks good with a cloudy, not rainy sky.

I have rowed the current almost four and one-half nautical miles in less than forty minutes. Between my boat speed and the current speed, I am doing about 6.75 knots.

Vancouver in the distance

Leaving Vancouver in the distance, the Current (and my oars) push Gwragedd Annwn towards Lighthouse Park, Point Atkinson and Howe Sound.

To the South, Point Grey

Looking South towards Point Grey. Almost at the outer edge of English Bay.

Looking West. Vancouver Island in the distance

This is a cobbled together picture looking West towards Vancouver Island. It is pretty hard to get lost in English Bay unless you are going West. North, South or East will bring you to a shore rather quickly, but, if you go West, it is thirty plus nautical miles until you hit a shore. In a fog, North, South and East I would row for an hour or two to find a shore. West? I would row until I hit the Island. Would be quite the row.

The Point Atkinson Lighthouse

Point Atkinson Lighthouse. This is the view looking North from the water. Needs painting.

Passage Island, Howe Sound. Sewell’s tour boat.

I meet a tour boat from Sewell’s out for a quick spin around Howe Sound.

Point Atkinson Lighthouse

A closer look at the Lighthouse. This is almost the same view as is being used in the “Cedar Cove” tv show ad spots.

Sewell’s Tour boat.

The tour group speeds off, hoping to find something to look at before the boat & motors scare if off.

Point Atkinson Lighthouse.

Looking East towards the Lighthouse. Not a lot of hikers around the park today.

Looking up Howe Sound. Grebe Islets.

Looking North up Howe Sound. Grebe Islets are to left of centre of the picture.

Searchlight Emplacement for WWII Harbour defence.

Harbour Defence from WWII. There are three of these structures around English Bay that I know of. One is here at Lighthouse, One is at Point Grey and one is at Stanley Park by Siwash Rock.

Searchlight Emplacement for WWII Harbour defence.

Close-up view of the searchlight emplacement. I wonder what type of searchlight it had. Were the harbour guns ever fired?

Point Atkinson Lighthouse Dock.

The dock structure at the Park. Has not been used in many years. Needs work.

Mink on shore.

One of the nice things about rowing is that you can get quite near the wildlife. This is a photo of a mink foraging along the shore. They move so quickly that it is hard to get even a poor picture of one.

Caulfeild Cove

Caulfeild Cove. I do not know why it is spelt Caulfeild and not Caulfield. There is a small public dock here. There are usually a few boats moored in the Cove.

Caulfeild Cove Dock.

The dock at Caulfeild. The tide is quite low.

Cypress Creek Delta.

Cypress Creek. There were fisherfolk trying for Sea Trout. Were not lucky when I rowed past.

Mooring Buoy in current.

The tide current past a mooring buoy. The current is moving at about a knot and a half.

West Vancouver laboratories Dock

The West Vancouver laboratory dock. This is where they grow the genetically enhanced salmon in tanks on shore. I can imagine the “Space” network making a series of movies like the “Shark Attack” ones, featuring genetically altered Salmon terrorising the waters around Georgia Strait. A monster salmon leaping up and snatching a bus off the Lions Gate Bridge? I would watch it. At least once.

Creek outflow under the Dock

This might be the outfall from Sherman Creek or from the genetically enhanced fish tanks. I should look for unusual fish around the outfall but, in the movies, that is how the first victim gets eaten. I will just row by…

Colourful mysterious flag.

This is just a colourful and unusual flag flying at a house on the beach. The West Vancouverites are a colourful lot.

Dunderave Pier at low tide.

Dunderave Pier at the foot of 25th Street, West Vancouver. There is a restaurant, “The Beach House” at the top of the pier. It used to be called “Peppi’s”. In around 1994, it became “The Beach House”. I have never eaten here since the change. There used to be a little concession stand/burger place west of the top of the pier. It might be a “Vera’s” now.

Hungry seal off Ambleside Fishing Pier.

The welcome back committee. A seal waiting to steal a catch from the fisherfolk off of the Fishing Pier at Ambleside Beach.

Back to Hollyburn Sailing Club.

Another good row.

See you out on the water.

Mike

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The Urban Oarsman returns to Still Creek

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

Return to Still Creek

April 14th, 2013. I have returned to Still Creek to explore as far upstream as I have water to row in. I sorta copied this map of Still Creek from “The Waterways of Burnaby”, a PDF file I downloaded from the City of Burnaby site. It looks as if there are a lot of creeks to explore that come off of Still Creek…What I did not realise is that it is the “Waterways of Burnaby” and the “Navigable Waterways of Burnaby” are not the same thing. According to the City of Burnaby Website, The water level of Burnaby Lake varies according to the time of the year. From March 15 to May 15, it is at 131.0′, May 15 to August 15, it is at 131.5′ and from August 15 to September 15, it is at 131.0′ and from September 15 to March 15, it is at 130.5′. Burnaby Lake and Still Creek are five inches deeper than the last time I rowed here. Should be able get further upstream than before.

I park in the parking lot next to the flying field. I put Gwragedd Annwn onto her dolly from her trailer and walk down the trail to the Suspension Bridge.

Gwragedd Annwn on her trailer in the Parking Lot. The flying field is to the right (East).

Gwragedd Annwn at the Suspension Bridge. I cross and launch her to the left (West).

The Suspension Bridge over Still Creek, looking North. Not a lot of clearance under the bridge for Gwragedd Annwn.

Launching Gwragedd Annwn on the North-West Side of the Suspension Bridge. Dolly in reeds, locked to a post. I am going in the early spring before the reeds have grown too large to launch here.

Good thing that I am going upstream, not a lot of room to go under the Bridge.

This is a side channel called Pollywog Creek. I should have brought a machete.

This is the pedestrian overpass at the end of Sperling Avenue. Behind it you can see one of the floating debris barriers that I have to get around. Hopefully there is enough room to the North side to slip Gwragedd Annwn by.

Pollywog Creek is to the Right (North), and Pole Line Creek is to the Left (South).
I guess that you could fish from the debris barrier. It is connected to the shore on the South side.

Just past the debris barrier, heading west up creek.

Looking North up Crabapple Creek. I could only go as far as where the tree overhangs the creek.

Where the tree overhangs Crabapple Creek. I do need a machete. Or a chain saw.

This view is looking South, out of Crabapple Creek towards Still Creek. The entrance to Cranberry Creek is to the right, but is barely visible. Not many of the side creeks are passable by Gwragedd Annwn. Perhaps only by beavers.

This is the entrance to Sunken Engine Creek which connects to Beecher Creek.

Looking North up Sunken Engine Creek. I cannot get Gwragedd Annwn very for up it, and certainly not to the Beecher Creek branch.

The creek water is getting clearer the further I row West. Just before the Douglas Road, I spot coins in the water. Someone’s lucky wishing well?

Leaving Douglas Road and another debris barrier in my wake.

The view ahead to the west past the Douglas Road Bridge.

A red-eared slider turtle sunning his/her self on the South Bank of the creek.
I have seen Red-eared Slider turtles before. I have a BC Provincial Museum Handbook, #44, “The Reptiles of British Columbia”, by Patrick T. Gregory and R. Wayne Campbell, 1984, That only identifies two turtles as living in BC. The Northwestern Pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata), collected in British Columbia twice in 1933 and 1936, last reported in 1966. They further state ” In fact, the western Pond Turtle may never have occurred naturally in this province: the two records could be of turtles which escaped after being imported from the south for food” The Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) which they state …”is restricted to the southern part of the province.” They further state that “There is some question as to the status of coastal populations of Painted Turtles”, that they may be the results of escaped pets.

I have yet to see a Painted or Western Pond Turtle on a rowing trip.

Rowing Gwragedd Annwn up the creek past the industrial buildings on Regent Street to the right (South), and Still Creek Avenue to the left (North).

The Westminster Avenue bridge viewed from the Creek.

The view Past the Westminster Avenue bridge, the Industrial buildings are no longer on either side of the Creek.

Further up the Creek. I can see the bottom much more clearly. There are fish in the shallows. I think that they are trout, but, never get a good enough view to make sure.

Where the Creek starts flowing too fast and shallow to row up. The truck is on Willingdon Avenue. Costco is to the right (North) behind the trees. This is a far as I go. I have reached the “Headwaters” of Still Creek.

The view back the way I came. Costco is to the Left (North) behind the trees and the Trans-Canada Highway is to the right (South). A view like this could be in any wilderness Rowing trip. What really makes you know that you are in the city is the ever-present traffic noise.

Looking East again, there are bushes close to the shore and in the tight spots I break off branches passing by. Gwragedd Annwn accumulates a lot of twigs in her bilge.

Going under the Westminster Bridge on the way back.

Leaving the Westminster Avenue Bridge astern.

Close-up view of going under the Douglas Road Bridge. On the East side of the bridge is where I saw the coins on the Creek bed.

I brought a magnet on a line and a net to salvage some of the coins.

Salvaged Booty! Some how I do not think that I will get rich on the recovered treasure of Still Creek.

Leaving the Douglas Road Bridge and the Still Creek Treasure bed behind.

Rowing up to the Kensingdon Avenue Pedestrian Bridge and road Bridge. Still Creek is quite wide here and I wonder do Kayakers and Canoests paddle here? It is a shame that there is no easier access for water craft to this stretch of Still Creek than the ad-hoc one I used with Gwragedd Annwn.

Reflections on the underside of the pedestrian overpass.

I decide that the reeds are too thick and the ground too muddy to take Gwragedd Annwn out on the North-West side of the suspension bridge. I will take her out on the South-East side where I retrieved her on the Burnaby Lake row. To do this, I must get her under the bridge. I find that if I move to the stern, she will just clear. Using my body weight, I manuver her under the bridge, crawling along her deck to depress her enough to clear the bridge. A slow and awkward process.

Gwragedd Annwn on the South-East shore, ready to be hauled up the beaver rut to her dolly, her trailer and to home.

This is the end of the row “Return to Still Creek”.

I think that Burnaby Lake and Still Creek would get more rowing/paddling usage if there was a way to get your boat into the waters more easily. A boat launch for human powered craft brought from your home to the lake for day use at the rowing centre would be a great idea.

I hope you try out Burnaby Lake and or Still Creek sometime. A bit of wilderness right here.

Good Rowing,

Mike

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The Urban Oarsman rows the Spring Equinox

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

The Equinox Row, March 22nd, 2013.

A Hollyburn Sailing Club event. Paddling and Rowing out to watch the Equinox Sunset, March 22, 2013.

March 22nd, 2013. The Equinox Row. We leave Hollyburn Sailing Club and paddle and row west along the shore towards Lighthouse Park to watch the Equinox Sunset.

Kayakers leaving Hollyburn Sailing Club (HSC) for the Equinox Sunset

Ideal conditions, Paddling into the Sunset off Ambleside in West Vancouver BC.
The water is calm, winds light, conditions are perfect. A good time to be on the water in English Bay.

Tugboat Traffic under Lion’s Gate Bridge. The “Equinox tow”.
The traffic is light coming into and out of the First Narrows.

Riding the swell from the tugboats and the “Equinox Tow”.
We continue West up coast towards Lighthouse Park after the swells have passed.

Paddling out towards Lighthouse Park, Lions Gate Bridge (First Narrows) in Background.

Ian’s solo paddle Canoe.

Ian built this pretty paddle canoe. It is Robert Baker’s design “Piccolo” commissioned by the editors of “Wooden Boat” magazine. He has brought it out to the Hollyburn Sailing Club Wooden Boat show. For more photos go the the Hollyburn Sailing Club site:http://www.hollyburnsailingclub.ca/

The Hollyburn Sailing Club site is worth exploring. Click on the Photos tab in the top row to see photographs, both recent and from the long-ago past.

Hollyburn Sailing Club (HSC) is my home base. It is an active Sailing, Rowing, Paddling and Stand up Paddling Club. If you do not own your own boat, you can join the Co-op and use one of their boats. The Co-op has sailing boats, kayaks and a paddle board. HSC is where I store Gwragedd Annwn and started this row from.

Steve, the kayaker/photographer.
The photo Steve took of Gwragedd Annwn with me at the oars:

Photo courtesy of Steve Britten.
This picture was taken around 6:10 pm. An hour to go to Sunset.

Equinox Sunset reflection off shoreline apartment buildings, West Vancouver, BC.
Lions Gate Bridge is in the background, Stanley Park to the right.

Setting sun, off Lighthouse Park, 6:16pm, March 22nd, 2013.

Setting sun, over the Lighthouse, Lighthouse Park, 6:22pm.

From anywhere in English Bay, no matter what the time of year, you never see the sun setting over the water, as there is always a mountain or the Island for the sun to set over. When the sun is as far south as it gets, it sets over the Island, when it is a far north as it gets, it sets over Lighthouse Park or Mt. Elpinstone on the Sunshine Coast (depending on where in English Bay you are watching the sunset).

6:25pm, The sun is almost behind Lighthouse Park. Paddlers and rower gathered to watch her set.

The equinox sun is behind the hill, Twilight and time to head back to HSC before dark.

Twilight row home. It is a twilight paddle for the Kayakers. This is Ian in his solo paddle canoe.
A beautiful evening on the water off Ambleside.

Almost back at HSC. End of the Equinox Row.

Good Equinox to you.

Mike

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The Urban Oarsman rows Burnaby Lake

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

The Burnaby Lake Row, February 13, 2013

The Burnaby Lake row involved a lot of planning.

I went to Burnaby Lake looking for a launch site. I first checked the Rowing Pavilion. It seemed like a natural. Where better to launch a rowing boat than at the Rowing Pavilion? Sadly, the Pavilion is not set up for visiting rowboats. It is set up for those “Racing rowers”…. And maybe canoeists too.

The ramp to the Rowing Pavilion float.

The ramp to their float is only 53″ wide. Gwragedd Annwn’s beam is 60″. Only hand carried boats can be launched there. Any boat on a trailer (or Gwragedd Annwn on her dolly) will not be able to use the Rowing Pavilon’s facilities. I must find another launching site.

I down-load the Burnaby Lake park map from the City of Burnaby web site:

Fortunately I have read “The Vancouver Paddler”, by Glen Steadham, 1990, and he tells of a launch site by the bridge that goes over Still Creek. He says to put in beside the bridge. The trail goes North to the site from the parking lot behind the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex. The bridge is for the Cottonwood trail on the North side of the lake.

The Still Creek Bridge is in the North West corner of the map, next to the Question Mark. I park in the Lot marked with a red circle with a P in it.

I check out the site on my way home from work:

The Cottonwood trail Bridge over Still Creek. There is twenty-eight inches of clearance under the bridge at the South end. A very tight fit for Gwragedd Annwn to go under.

The area is a Crow Rookery.

A plan is hatched. I will put Gwragedd Annwn on my boat trailer, then put her on to her launching dolly, wheel her down the trail to the bridge, slip her into the water on the Burnaby Lake side of the Bridge, and row downstream on Still Creek into Burnaby Lake.

Gwragedd Annwn at the parking lot behind the Burnaby Lakes Sports Complex. She is backwards on her trailer, being loaded onto her launching dolly for the trip to the Bridge over Still Creek.

Gwragedd Annwn being launched into Still Creek down a beaver channel beside the Still Creek Bridge. As with the Rowing Pavilion’s ramp, she is a little beamy for the Beaver Channel, but, the mud makes for a fine lubricant and into the creek she goes.

Here she is tied up to a tree while I take the dolly back to the FJ and chain it to the trailer. There is not much clearance under the Bridge. The bow flag and the stern mirrors will not fit under. Downstream to Burnaby Lake it is!

I was not kidding about those pesky Beavers. There are probably twenty beaver lodges (mounds) on the lake. It is wonder that there any trees left.

I take out my second down-loaded map showing the Streams and Creeks that flow into Burnaby Lake. Looking at the map, it should be easy to find Deer Lake Brook or Coldicutt Creek and row up them to explore. The map shows them to be as wide entering the Lake as Still Creek is.

This is the Burnaby Lake map showing all of the streams that enter Burnaby Lake. Looks as if there are twenty creeks to explore as well as the shoreline of the lake.

I am going to row down to the East end of the Lake and then look for creeks/streams to explore on the way back.

Where Still Creek enters Burnaby Lake. It is hard to tell that you are in the middle of an urban area, as , from the water all you really see are the trees surrounding the lake. Note the Beaver mound on the right of the picture above the oar. This was the first of the twenty or so that I saw.

About Three-quarters of the way to Cariboo Dam, looking South-West towards Metrotown. All in all, the Lake still has a wilderness feeling. You just have to pretend that the Highway noise is merely the wind whispering through the trees. At this point, the lake begins to narrow to the Still Creek exit.

I am coming up to where Skid Creek enters the Lake.

Looking North-East towards where Still Creek exits Burnaby Lake to Cariboo Dam.

The Eastern end of Burnaby Lake where Still Creek flows on to Cariboo Dam and then into the Fraser. None of the City is visible from here. Next stop Cariboo Dam.

Cariboo Dam, as far East as you can go.

The current was not too strong at this point. My GPS read just under a knot.

The dam itself. I did proceed past the warning sign to take this picture. I now turn back, rowing west up Still Creek, Looking for Buena Vista Creek. It will be the first creek to the South.

This is the North-West View with Gwragedd Annwn backed into Buena Vista Creek. The mouth of the creek looks passably wide, but it narrows and shallows quickly. The channel here is not an oarspan wide. I pop the oars out of the locks and pole Gwragedd Annwn up the creek.

The view looking South East up the Creek. At this point the creek is less than 10″ deep and the channel is narrowing. As you can see, it is over grown and there are logs fallen across it. I am only thirty feet of so up the creek and my progress is stopped. Perhaps a canoe or a kayak could make it a little further. I cannot step out of Gwragedd Annwn and pull her up the channel because the bottom is too mucky – it is loose peaty mud that grounds the boat but will not support my weight.

The view of the North Shore of Burnaby Lake. The streams that enter are not visible and the lake is too shallow to find where the creeks enter. Once you get out of the rowing channel, the lake is not much more that a foot deep. Skirting the shoreline, every now and then I find that I am stopped, having slowly run aground on the boggy bottom.

I cannot find where Deer Lake Brook enters the Lake. The north-West corner is too shallow to row in. I search for but cannot find the channel. I give up and row past the pavilion and into Still Creek.

My FJ in the parking lot, photo taken as I row up Still Creek.

The trail bridge over Still Creek. I have to take my bow flag down, fold down the rowing mirrors and ship oars to pass under the bridge.

I row on, up Still Creek. I spot a Red-eared slider turtle sunning himself/herself on the North bank. Unfortunately, the turtle goes into the creek before I can get a photograph.

I row under the Sperling Avenue foot bridge and spot the first barrier.

This is the foot bridge over Still Creek at Sperling Avenue. The barrier is just upstream of it.

The Barrier upstream of the Sperling Avenue footbridge. I think that it is supposed to collect all the floating garbage coming down the creek. Note all the flotsam upstream of the Barrier. There is just enough space on the North side to manoeuver Gwragedd Annwn past. By tipping her on her side, I pass the barrier.

The elevated walkway on the North Side of Still Creek. It is part of the Central Valley Greenway trails. I have also heard it called the Winston Overpass.

Looking back (East) at the Kensington Avenue Bridge and the Kensington Urban Trail foot Bridge.

The footbridge is in the foreground

The next bridge is the one for Douglas Road.

The Douglas Street Bridge with the Second barrier behind it.

Just below the Bridge, a hand throw West of the bridge, there are coins on the creek bottom. Is this a lucky spot to wish? I have found treasure on the row, but, I have no way to retrieve the booty.

It is very hard to get a good picture of the treasure on the creek bottom.

These two coins looked like loonies. I will have to come back with a net or perhaps a magnet.

Passing under Douglas Road to the Second Barrier.

The Second Barrier. I have run out of time on this trip, I will have to come back another time to explore further up Still Creek. I would like to row all the way up to the McDonald’s at Willington but it is 4:00pm and it will be dark by 5:30pm. Short exploring days in the winter. Time to turn back so I can be packed up by sunset. I head back to the take-out spot.

Leaving the Douglas Street Bridge behind.

Going back under the Kensington Urban Trail bridge and the Kensington Avenue Bridge.

Slipping Gwragedd Annwn under the Cottonwood trail bridge . Not much clearance. I have to balance the boat by moving my body weight first to depress the bow and then the stern to squeeze under.

Using a block and tackle to pull Gwragedd Annwn onto her dolly .

On her dolly, ready for the trip to the parking lot to be loaded onto the road trailer.

Gwragedd Annwn on the road trailer, ready to be strapped down for the trip home.

A Google Earth picture of the trip. Burnaby Lake is was not as overgrown as this picture shows.

Good Rowing,

Mike

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The Urban Oarsman rows from Harrison Lake to Kilby Park

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Urban Oarsman

Rowing Harrison Lake to Kilby Park

Gwragedd Annwn on her trailer at the Harrison Lake Boat launch. I am rigging her.

On go the forward-view mirrors.

Taking Gwragedd Annwn down the dock, off of the trailer. Thanks to my dock help, Paul.

Getting ready to row away, up lake and then down the Harrison River.

OOPs! Forgot my hat. My head is cold. I ask Paul to toss it to me.

Self-portrait rowing down Harrison River.

Looking back up towards Harrison Lake. Whippoorwill Point to the East, Spooks Point to the West.

A little further down stream. Harrison Lake has disappeared behind the turn in the river.

The river ahead. Pirates Point is to the right. Log booms are to Port.

The river widens. I stay on the East side.

Floating logging camp and log booms on the East side of the river.

The floating logging camp.

I leave the logging camp barge astern.

Looks like snow in the mountains ahead.

Helicopter logger flies overhead. I only saw it once.

The power lines cross the river.

McDonalds Bay.

This is the widest section of the river.

Further down the river.

The East shore where the river narrows again, across from where Morris Creek enters.

Another shot up river. The logging barge is barely visible.

Bluff on the North-West shore.

Spent salmon floating downstream.

I leave the salmon astern.

Further downstream.

The view ahead. The Morris Creek delta/marsh area is to the right.

The shore of the Morris Creek delta/marsh area.

It does look like snow in the mountains ahead.

Looking up river again.

A fishing boat goes upstream.

Looking at the delta/marsh area between Morris Creek and the Chehalis River.

This is the fastest part of the river. I must not get too close to the dolphins on the West Side, as the current goes around and under the logs along them.

The Urban Oarsman rows Gwragedd Annwn off the chart exploring the Alouette.

The July 22nd, 2014 Row. The Alouette.

I have rowed Widgeon Creek, circumnavigated Siwash Island and voyaged from Grant Narrows to Maquabeak Park boat launch. It is time to Explore the Alouette.

The Alouette River has several branches, The Alouette River, the North Alouette River, Blaney Creek and McKenzie Creek. On this row, I am going up the Alouette as far as I can get. I have a late start and a five hour window for this row.

I launch Gwragedd Annwn at the Pitt Meadows Marina. $17.00 for the launch and parking.

I begin to row up the Alouette.

I start up the Alouette. On the north side of the river is a floathome with stained glass windows.

In researching this trip, I had seen pictures of this sunken/awash hull. She does not seem to have a name or registration number.

Past the Pitt Meadows Marina, most of the boats/boat houses are on the North bank where there is a power line.

I continue up river. I have to watch out for snags in the water.

It looks as if this boat is being stripped. She, too, has no name.

This is a cute boat. She is an electric Davidson “Chugger”. She gets over five hours of silent running time at 5 knots.

On the South side of the channel there is a sunken boat. The drop in river level is evident on her cabin top.

I row past the Pitt Meadows Paddling Club. It is just before the Harris Road Bridge. Their website is: http://www.pmpc.ca

There is quite a collection of paddling craft on site.

I row under the bridge.

A Damselfly hitches a ride up river.

I saw numerous Blue Herons on the trip.

Where the North Alouette (left) and the Alouette (right) meet.

I row a few strokes up the North Alouette to look at the Pump Station and The River level gauge.

Looking North West, down the Alouette, where I have come from. The white speck is a kayaker heading up river.

Just past the junction of the Alouette and the North Alouette River, there is an Island in the middle of the Alouette. I pick the North (larger) channel. The Island is anchored by a large dead tree. Dead Tree Island?

Looking back at what I have named Dead Tree Island that I have rowed past. It is to the right, with the dead tree on it.

I continue on up river. I do not see much “civilization” as I row.

I am half way through my rowing window. Almost time to turn back. I think that I am good to row on a little further. I want to row off of the chart. The chart ends at the Neaves Road Bridge.

Sadly, none of my pictures of the hand-held GPS chart worked out.

The chart I have rowed off is #3062, Pitt River and/et Pitt Lake.

The Neves Road Bridge downriver to the west.

My rowing window is closing…Time to turn back.

The supports for the bridges show previous water levels in the river. The level has dropped and is still dropping.

The pilings show that the water level is as much as 1.3 meters or 51 inches higher in the recent past. I guess the trick is to know when the water level is highest.

As I row back past the Neaves Road Bridge, I see an inflatable raft coming downstream. There must be a place to launch from up river.

This row of trees on the South bank is downstream of the Neaves Road Bridge.

A kayak does have an advantage over Gwragedd Annwn…less draft.

A crew working on the south dike near the pump station.

Many routes are blocked by these pump stations. I need a lighter boat to portage around them.

There are thousand of these flowers along the river banks.

A favourite resting spot.

Returning. I am rowing down the southern channel .

There must have been some sort of dock here long ago. I do not know what these pilings were for. Shipping local produce or lumber out?

In this section of the river, you have to be very careful as there are many pilings just below the surface of the water. I collided with a few of them.

The weeds in the river show a slight downriver current.

Another Blue Heron on the river bank.

A pair of paddleboarders head upstream.

The Harris Road Bridge. There is a “Hand-carried” boat access here. It is between the left and centre pillars, just to the right of the left pillar in this picture. It leads down from a parking lot on the South East side of Harris Road and The Alouette.

I guess that into every row a little rain must fall….

A bow view of the white abandoned boat…I have seen a photo of this boat still afloat in June of 2012.

The water level has dropped since I row past her heading upstream.

I row back past the red abandoned boat. It looks like her back is broken.

Her life ring has been taken away to get her name painted on it. Note the power line to the dock.

I decide that every time I row past these flood control gates I will take a picture so I can judge the water level.

I walk back to the parking lot to get my FJ and trailer.

It is a short walk to the parking lot. There are only a few boats out today.

Gwragedd Annwn looking good at the dock.

All loaded up and ready to go. I will come back again with more time to row and explore past the Neaves Road Bridge.

Trip length: 13.75 kilometers, 5 hours 15 minutes at the thwart.

I rowed The Alouette and explored her five times. Here is a graph of the water levels at the Alouette River Gauge for the rows:

If you want to know the approximate river for your trip, go tohttp://www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/riverlevelsapp/RiverLevels?

The assumption is that the level will not vary too much from day to day. Check the level the day before your trip and then add an hour to the levels and you will be in the “ball-park” range for the water level. There are not truly accurate tables for the river level. This is only an estimate.

Happy Rowing,

Mike

Baking in the Summer Sun, The Pitt River Row.

The Rowing Plan:

(http://www.yr.no/place/Canada/British_Columbia/Widgeon_Creek/hour_by_hour_detailed.html)

The Siwash Island Circumnavigation

The Urban Oarsman Circumnavigates Siwash Island.

Chart image of the Row.

Tide notes for the trip. I am still trying to figure out the tides here. They are very effected by the flow of the Fraser and the Pitt Rivers.

This water level chart for Pitt Lake was taken from the Pitt River and/et Pitt Lake chart #3062. Some of the lowest water levels for the lake are in the winter. I need to have a high tide to go here.

Crossing the Pitt River Bridge at 9:30am, January 18th, 2014. A little foggy this morning.

The route I took rowing around Siwash Island.

Gwragedd Annwn at the Grant Narrows boat launch dock.

The wind flag shows almost no wind.

10:23am, leaving the Grant Narrows dock. The tide is flowing 1.5 knots upstream.

The point North of Grant Narrows is shrouded with fog.

Until this row, I had never noticed this depth gauge at Grant Narrows. I wonder what the scale is.

Artsy picture of the East shore with the sun peeking through the fog and trees.

A piling on the East side of Pitt River, showing the tide current flowing upstream. The entrance to Widgeon Creek is in the fog behind. The low shore line is Siwash Island.

I stitched together this panorama view of the entrance to Widgeon Creek on the West shore.

I row across Grant Narrows to Siwash Island. The Island does not rise very high.

This water level chart for Pitt Lake was taken from the Pitt River and/et Pitt Lake chart #3062.
Some of the lowest water levels for the lake are in the winter. I need to have a high tide to go here.