Weirdams, Wingdams & Swirls - Day 14 - Kimmswick to MM 49.0

We left Hoppies at 7:50am and proceeded downriver at 1050 RPM.  With a 4 mph push from the river, we were clipping along at 13.8 mph and burning a measily 4.2 gallons per hour.  Here are some additional views of Hoppies.  Truly a unique experience.

Fern's office

Today's destination was the Little River Diversion Channel at Mile Marker 49.0 just south of Cape Girardeau, Mo, a distance of 109 miles.  A reasonable objective with no locks to deal with and great weather. 

Except for the barges and wooded banks of the river, there really was not much to see on this leg of the trip.  What was most interesting is the river itself.  The photo of the red bouy gives you a sence of the strong current.  I can only imagine what the current must be like when the river floods in the spring.

To pass the time, we have been listening to a book on tape entitled "In the Name of Honor" by Richard North Patterson.  We started the book in Peoria and will probable complete it tomorrow.  If you like laywer stories this is a sure-fire winner.  In fact all of Patterson's books are terrific.  We've either read or listened to all of his books.

The bouys help you see the current

The other interesting experince was the weirdams, which are found on the bottom where the river curves.  In the lower right corner of photo below you can see a weirdam on the fishfider some 43 feet below the surface.  These underwater dams are designed to keep the river inside its existing banks.  Left to its own devices, the river will meander and over time continually change course.  What you see at the surface is turbulence and occassionally swirls.  Going around sharp curves with weirdams requires constant attention and bursts of power to keep the boat on course.  A strong swirl can literally spin a boat around.

View of a weirdam through the fishfinder

The other mostly unseen hazard are wingdams.  These are structures along the banks designed to control erosion.  At relatively low water, which is the river's current state, they can do massive damage to your running gear.  These are easily avoided by respecting the bouys and following the sailing line on chart.  Fortunately, our Sea Ray Navigator II shows our GPS position overlayed on the NOAA (US Government) charts.

Almost eight hours later, we arrived at Mile Marker 49.0 just south of Cape Girardo, another city with no marina or even a town dock.  Go figure. 

Fern told us that there was a good anchorage in the Little River Diversion Channel on the right descending bank.  Fern also told us to go past the enterance and enter the channel going up river.  Good advice.  If you try to enter going down river the current sweeps you across the channel and you go aground.  No good. 

Entering Litte River Diversion Channel

Another Looper, Two by Two, anchored in the channel

We anchored and immediately launched the dingy.  Why immediately?  Kodi.  She had been holding it for over eight hours.  As we were launching a open skiff happened by and we flagged down the "captain" to get some local knowledge (i.e., where the nearest launch ramp or unlikely town dock).  He advised us that there was a boat launch ramp about 1/2 mile upstream.  Good information except he was slightly off on the distance, which turn out to be 2.5 miles.  Note: He told us he was the inspector on the recently completed Cape Giradeau Bridge.  Local people are helpful.

No problem.  The dingy, an 11 foot Caribe RIB with a 30 hp Tohatsu, got to the ramp in 6 minutes. Note: We clipping along at 20 mph with three of us on board and just for jun got it up to 30 mph.

The dingy tied to the bank

The bridge inspector and his 3 year old grandson, Lincoln

Upon return to boat, we met our anchor neighbors, Rod and Pauline, and chatted with them from the dingy until sunset (actually until Diana started to get bitten by the mosquitos).  A charming couple from Australia who have been cruising since 2008 and plan to continue until 2012 (or, perhaps, forever).  Rod and Pauline prefer to anchor out and were not in a hurry to go anywhere.

Guided Discovery at anchor in Little River Diversion Channel

The end of a perfect day.  Did I mention that the weather, for the 15th consecutive day, was sunny with daytime temperatures from 60 to 82?  Unbelievable.  The longest stretch of good weather in my 38 years in the midwest.

Written by Les on 10/18.