The newsletter of the South Dakota Canoe Associationwww.sdcka.blogspot.com
In what is often a “closing” event for theSDCA, members will gather to avoid therocks and examine the flow of twowaterways on Oct. 3.The “president’s cruise” will start at 1 p.m.at McHardy Park in Brandon. The cruise willstart on the Split Rock Creek and thencontinue down to where it joins the BigSioux River. Usually this trip is about 3-4hours in duration. There’s usually a ton of wildlife to see on the trip as well, and a goodfoliage show along the banks.Since the James River was so high allsummer, we did not put together a strongeffort to make a return trip this year, butthere is still time. Please e-mail possibledates between now and our Oct. 3 event if you have ideas or want to get the ball rolling.
Split Rock Creek cruise set for Oct. 3 in Brandon
Almost 100 paddlers make Missouri River trail event a huge hit
Make-up events almost never rise to theheight of the original plan, but that was notthe case on Aug. 29, when almost 100participants helped to “welcome” a stretchof the Missouri River to its new status as agrowing water trail resource for paddlers.The event began on the Nebraska sideof the river, near the Newcastle-Vermillionbridge. Launching there from the boatramp, craft of all sizes, shapes, and colorstook to the water on a gorgeous latesummer morning.There were no reported injuries or tip-overs, and the flow of the Mighty Moserved to make it a somewhat easy 11-mile jaunt. The winds were light, andcame from behind for many of the miles.Even with a small take-out area, there wasroom for all and the shuttle service didprovide transportation for those whoneeded it.
Last year we put in on the James near Mitchell. The route was scenic and theshuttle distance quite friendly. If paddlers outthere have other locations on the James, perhaps further south, share your ideas via e-mail, we’ll put them up on the blog and seewhat ideas we find.The Split Rock cruise is set, though, and itoften poses some rocky challenges, but water levels have been somewhat higher thisseason, so here’s to hoping the creek offersgood flow and few scratches.Looking months downstream, we hope todial in some dates for a joint venture with theBlack Hills Paddlers group on some creeksand streams that rise out there in the spring.There’s still plenty of time to paddle and wehope to see you on the water.
The Prairie Paddler
Volume 38, Issue 13 August 2009
Most of those paddling did not stack upon the water, due in part to the flow. Thegroup bringing up the rear did not passmany (if any) paddlers who launchedearlier. The river is like that.With that many boats, there was not atremendous amount of wildlife to be see,but some paddlers saw paddlefish jumpand even a school of carp get riled whena speeding kayak crossed over them.Organizers from Vermillion mademention of starting a Southeast SouthDakota branch of the SDCA, and theyare welcome to organize regionally likethat if they so choose.Of course we will carry listings for their future events here in the newsletter andof course on our club’s Web site,http://sdcka.blogspot.com.Any paddler can send info in and seekguests for a cruise or event. Just writeme!
Event details
Oct. 3, Brandon1 p.m., Split Rock Creek and Big Sioux Rivercruise
Tentative “add-on” cruise
SeptemberJames RiverInput soughtE-mail JarettJbies0341@hotmail.com
Missouri River recapWho: About 90 paddlersTrip: 11 milesBoats: Almost 70 canoes,kayaks, sail/row boats.Why: Celebrate the startof the Missouri NationalRecreation River Water Trail, online at:
http://www.mnrrwatertrail.org/
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