Event Site Launch/Land?

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Is today the last day of being able to launch & land at the Event Site?

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

THERE ARE 31 DAYS IN APRIL!!!!!!!

Other than that, it's a good question.

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Pepi · Mon Apr 30, 12 1:15 pm

May 1st is the cutoff day for kiteboarding access at the Event Site, but as of this morning, CGKA rep Pepi Gerald and the CGWA Exec Dir Greg Steigel have met to submit a 6 day extension to allow for kiteboarding access at the Event Site through Sunday evening.

The reason for the last minute meeting was to discuss how to handle the current temporary highwater level covering the Sandbar.

By using the current 120day water level forecast from the Corp of Engineers Dalles Dam location, we have learned that this specific week was scheduled to receive higher than normal waterlevels and that water levels should be back down by the weekend.
This will allow for us to then move over to the Sandbar and begin regaining regular sandbar launch access as the levels recede.

As an alternate, we do now have full access at the Marina Beach launch with full access when the water levels are high, and conditional continued access as levels move down (meaning that kiteboarders do there best to accomodate recreational swimmers and sunbathers and launch/land downwind of those non-kiteboard recreational users).

Please stay posted for a more official comments and diagrams to be available after tomorrow mornings meeting with the Port.

Thank you
Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Assoc.

forrest · Mon Apr 30, 12 1:54 pm

In case you're curious, this is today's forecast for inflow to The Dalles dam. This forecast is used to determine when the Event Site will be switched to Pump/Dry only.

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/stp/station/stpplot/stpplot.cgi?TDAO3

When the flow drops below 350,000 cubic feet per second we should start to see a large crescent shape of the sandbar. As you can see, the forecast is for a few more days of high water, followed by a sharp decline to just below 350,000.

This forecast is produced daily and you can monitor it at the link above.

Obviously, the water level is determined by more than just the inflow to The Dalles dam, but this is our best indicator.

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Thanks so much for the replies guys, you do a really great job & its very much appreciated!

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

hmm, my calendar says 30 days in April as opposed to 31 Smile

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

April Fools!!!

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1862 Posts XTreme Poster

It won't be back 100% of the time for awhile. My hunch is the Port, CGKA and CGWA will work together and be very cool about extendng Event Site launch dates until we have our sand back. The Spring extension last year was a no-brainer and 95% of the windsurfers seemed totally cool with it. I don't see why another spring compromise can't be worked out this year as well.

Thanks Port, CGKA and CGWA

Eric

forrest · Tue May 01, 12 9:48 am

Yea, it's a no brainer, there won't be any impacts to the ability to get on the water. Forecasts are just guidelines, and they change. Ultimately, it will be about when the Sandbar has appeared and the forecast confirms it's around to stay.

Take a look at the forecast today, it tells a slightly different picture.