Stevenson Sandbar

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

Anyone who has driven out of Stevenson to the West recently could not help notice the developing sandbar. Last Summer the sandbar was only exposed a half dozen times, but with the addition of probably 100,000 cubic yards of slide material now in the river it looks like Stevenson might rival HR for sandbar launching.

The Stevenson Pioneer has talked about upcoming dredging of the "plug" at the railroad bridge. No telling exactly when this will happen or how extensive the dredging will be. If we as kiteboarders want access to this new sandbar, we might need to keep a close eye on developments here.

Perhaps the Slingshot crew could have some influence here??

I kited at the sandbar once last summer. Parking at the fairgrounds and walking out under both the Hwy 14 and RR bridges only takes a couple of minutes. Great kiting location!

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hey kitesailor,

i kite at stevenson a lot and never noticed this. do you have any photos?

how was the wind? i would think, the closer to the bridge of the gods you were, the more gusty it would be. i am trying to find a place further west towards home valley but, have yet to discover anything. i did, however, swim in on a downwinder gone light and found the river to be quite shallow under the bridge just out of carson. however, right at the bank, it must be 20 feet deep and a 40 foot swim to anything where you can stand.

kt

da lox · Since 24 May 2007 22 Posts hood river, or

The currents are crazy as you get closer to the Bridge of the Gods. I have been sketched out in a 28 foot sailboat through that area, it would be really bad with a kite! I think it is due to the cascade rapids that were flooded when the Bonneville Dam was put in. If you want to take your chances, there is also a sand bar that appears in low water off of Thunder Island in the Cascade Locks Marine Park. Again, I would highly suggest not to kite there.

Mark · Fri Jan 25, 08 9:30 am

I kited up to the bridge of the gods last year. Wierd currents and flukey gusty winds. I would not head to close to it again. Unless I had boat support.

Was very trippy and beautiful though.

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

The Rock Creek Bridge is not that far West. There were no strange currents when I kited there last Summer.

It would apear that the sandbar currently runs all the way from the last house at the end of the road to Bob's Beach to the small island to the West of the outflow of Rock Creek.

Yesterday there were small waves breaking on the sandbar. Right now the river is pretty high so most of the sandbar is submerged, but as soon as the river level drops a foot, it will be quite apparent what we will have to play on this Spring/ Summer.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I skimboard up there sometimes - can be fun - did spook a Bass fisherman as I came around that first island - he wasn't too pleased

is shallow back there - got to watch for rocks if you got fins

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jan 25, 08 10:40 am

I do believe that the Port submitted an application to the Corps to deposit those dredge spoils (from the rock creek slide) immediately downstream of the existing launch (where the sheet pile wall is).

Never followed up with the Port. They will need to design something to ensure that the sand stays there as it is subject to lots of wave action in the winter.

They do need money do move that material, I told John McSherry would could hold a fund raiser. I would plunk down $100 to have a sandy launch spot in Stevenson and I think allot of other people would to.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I like the normal launch... closer to Slingshot! Very Happy

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jan 25, 08 2:02 pm

The "new" launch iuf it ever does happen, would actually be CLOSER to slingshot.

Ask the Dangler (or anyone else who has racked themselves or their boards on the rocks) how they feel about the current launch.

Gee, sand in my gear or two broken ankles? Let me think about that and get back to you Rolling Eyes

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I don't really care either way, but unless this new sandbar extends east of the pier, it's not any closer to SS...

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

I talked to John McSherry a couple of weeks ago about the movement of Rock Creek's washed down debris and if there was a chance in **** of it ever becoming a beach. John says there are lots of hoops to jump through to get this to happen. Permits have been applied for, but he says it could very well take up to two years for it to be approved.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

while we're at it, lets cut down that little tree 20 ft upwind of the current launch, it blocks the web cam view and fucks up the launching wind, and its a great way to get your kite lines tangled when trying to flip your kite over on a busy day...

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped