---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Bill Zeitler, 74211,1362
TO: ECPA Group, INTERNET:ECPA@onelist.com
DATE: 11/21/99 11:47 AM
RE: Copy of: Silted new ramp at Fort Delaware, DE
Morning mates,
Not having studied hydrology of rivers and streams, it is only my guess
that since the ramp is _perpendicular_ to the referenced " Branch Canal "
what is happening is the same as when a creek or inlet enters a larger
river at right angles a sand bar can build up at the entrance/exit
to/from the creek into the river. Perhaps some kind of an underwater eddy
forms at this spot and builds up the solids. One might have thought that
DNREC would have taken that into account in the new-ramp location and
design...but then we Delawareians know the " real" problem ! ;-D> [
Example: when Delaware Department of Transportation opend a new highway and
confused metric distances with statute miles in posting exit distances
...just like NASA and JPL did with the Mars orbitor fiasco ! ]
There IS an older small public ramp at Delaware City on the same Branch
Canal which is used by fire department rescue boats, fishermen with jon
boats, etc....but there are many problems such as you must then park your
tow vehicle and trailer on the public street, there is no walkway of any
type, there is nothing but weeds, reeds or perhaps a large boulder to try
to make your boat fast to when parking your vehicle...and the nearby steel
[ rusty ] bulkhead used by the Army Corp of Engineers has bolts sticking
out just waiting to rip a hole in the side of your hull. HOWEVER....this
ramp is __parallel__ to the canal tidal flow and there is zero silting. So
it would seem ramp orientation vs stream flow is the major factor.
Perhaps the suggestion from a potterer friend in Arizona is the best in
the end...." carry a shovel and don't rely on others to solve one's
problems " . ;-D>
Another alternative might be to just launch at high tide and say out until
the next high tide...for a nice long day at " sea "....or use another ramp
[ such as Augustine Beach about eight miles downstream right on the
Delaware River itself and south of the C & D Canal. . The only caution
here is that although the shipping channel is on the _ other side_ of Reedy
Island, one must use great caution not to rip the bottom out of your boat
by sailing across the underwater dike extending down about four miles south
of Reedy Island.
Perhaps open ocean sailing is a lot less complex in some ways...but estuary
and river boating might be a lot more interesting.
Bill Z
Wilmington, DE