is the lake/pond near portand expo center kiteable?

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

just noticed it when flying in from san fran yesterday. it is located west of expo center accessed from a road just north of the expo center. there are roads running to its north and east sides. looks doable with south or east winds. maybe winchable. not sure if there is access but thought i would throw it out there for discussion.

Mark · Sun Nov 09, 08 11:39 am

If its the one near I-5 and PIR, I believe its a wetlands sanctuary.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Nov 09, 08 11:55 am

kudos to Mark for knowing that it is a wetland sancturary. Actually its a wetland mitigation site but whatever. I would not kite there for the following reasons:

1. It is surrounded on most sides by a barbed wire fence
2. It is really shallow water and there are LOTS of down trees in there (the put them there).
3. The dirt is a silt loam that you will likely sink jsut below your knee into.
4. If the parks department, ODOT, or WDFW see you kiting in there, you are not going to enjoy the ensuing "conversation"/arrest/confiscation of gear.
5. Geese flock to that area..geeese poop is some rancid stuff...geeese poop alot...that water doesn't get flushed out much.
6. And the biggest reason I wouldn't do it.....the wind sucks.

I would suggest these other popular places for people that just have to kite in the PDX metro area.

1. The airport.. bring fins
2. Vancouver lake...bring antibiotics
3. Frenchmans bar.. bring a book

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Nov 09, 08 11:57 am

I will say though that there does look to be cool places to kite near smith and bybee lakes which is just east of there. Its popular with birders and hikers and they would likely freak at the site of the winch Sad

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

just pulled it up on google earth and i think you are right. oh well. worth a try.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Nov 09, 08 12:28 pm

It could be doable but there really is a metric shit load of large woody debris in there. I completely f&*ked myself up once when impalled my hand on a fallen log while, ummm "keg-boarding". Ever since then I have this fear of puncturing a lung on some big knarly tree branch.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

just googled some info on the lakes. it does say it can be used by non-motorized craft. it seems we can environmentally preserve kiteboarding in this location all winter long. Cool

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
5300 N Marine Drive
503-797-1850

General Info

Acreage: 205.71
Acquired in 1961

Amenities

Includes natural area, trails – biking, and trails – hiking.

Special Information

Most visitors to the lakes can find beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles, kiteboarders (...all right i added this one) and one of the largest remaining populations of Western painted winchboarders......errr turtles in Oregon. Access to the wildlife area is either by the Interlakes Trail (paved and universally accessible) or by boat. The starting point for both is the parking area on Marine Drive. The trail is less than a mile long, round trip, and has two wildlife viewing platforms. There is a portable toilet at the trailhead. Non-motorized boats are allowed.

Program Information

For more information, visit Metro Parks and Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes.

Historical Information

This natural area is the largest protected wetland within an American city even though it is surrounded by port terminals, warehouses, and other commercial developments. In 1990, the Portland Planning Commission approved a management plan for the lakes. They determined that Smith Lake would be maintained at a fairly constant water level and developed for low-intensity water recreation, such as fishing and canoeing. Bybee Lake, on the other hand, would be allowed to rise and fall with the tides and seasons and would be kept as an environmental preserve.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Nov 09, 08 1:42 pm

yeah, but it is still hella slimy in there. Go to maps.live.com for better aerial photos and if you ahven't used this site before, the birds eye view is MONEY!.

All those little pock marks you see are algal looms. I'm sure all those algal blooms have nooothing to do with Heron Lakes golf course right next door. But, I thought I remember some portland golf fourses going organic so perhaps they are not leaching as much nitrogen as they once did.

Hmmmm.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

i very much doubt it is kiteable and not really good PR to try to breach this nature preserve. would hate seeing reports in the news of kiters eradicating the rare population of western painted turtles found in this lake.

what if instead we found a way to reflood parts of sauvie island or other fields in the area for midwinter skimming and winching...... say a quarter mile patch about 3 feet deep. good for east and and prefrontal southwest days.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Nov 09, 08 3:38 pm

There is actually a whole bunch of Oort of Vancouver land that gets flooded by Vancovuer Lake duing the winter. After hard rains and what not its about 1-2 feet deep and its jsut grass underneath you. Easily accessable from the road my only reservation is the water from Vancouver lake.

Use maps.live and zoom in to the intersection of Lower rive road and NW gateway ave. See all that pasture area, then click on birds eye view.. see all that super flat water...yummmm

hamlindp · Sun Nov 09, 08 5:05 pm

I'm not a marine biologist, but don't the algae blooms in Smith/Bybee die down as the water temp lowers? I believe I've observed this.

I agree with PMB, LOTS of impaling debris on bottom. Kind of freaky just wading along the shore.

Anyone ever try kiting Sturgeon Lake out Oak Island way? I'm not sure what it's like during the winter. Do they allow folks out there in the winter or is it a protected goose pooping area?