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ACCESS PROJECTS – C & O Canal - Nov 2017-Oct ...
Alford Cooley

 ACCESS PROJECTS – C&O Canal -


  T.O. = take-out, P.I. = put-in


CCA – ACCESS PROJECTS – 20x -                     15 Jan 2018

   This set of problems affects access to the River (the Potomac in almost all cases), most of which we've been dealing with over the years.  We suggest a longer term and consistent response to them.  Presented at the CCA board-meeting (10 Sept 2017) – Access Committee formed 12 Nov 2017.



WISH LIST (details below)

1 - Rewatering the Lock 4-5 Level: the Coffer Dam

2 - Fletchers Take-Out - Improve

3 – Little Falls – Dalacarlia Take Out – Improve*

4 - Lock 10 Take-Out *

5 - Carderock Take-Out*

6 – Anglers Put-In – Improve Steps

7 - Swains Lock Take-Out - Improve

8 - C&O / GW Loop - Operation of Pennyfield Lock

9 - GW Loop: C&O Crossing - Improve

10 – Violettes Lock Put-In – Improve 

10.5 – Rileys Lock Put-In - Monitor

11 - Continuing Trump/USCG river blockages - working w/ the USCG on implementation *

12 - Anglers Put-In – Roll Back Parking Prohibition along MacArthur *

13 - Harpers Ferry Access - New Developments*

14 - Goose Creek - Press for a Put-In*

15 – Warning signs for bikes “Kayak Crossing” at 2, 3, 4, 6, 9

16 – Recover permission to put in at Roosevelt Island for the 4th of July paddle.

17 – Lock 34 Parking

18 – Md-side Parking at top of the Needles

19 – Patoma Wayside - Winter Parking

20 – Antietam Ck Mouth T.O.


DETAILS with Suggestions


1 – Rewater the Lower Canal – Lock 4-5 Level - This is proceeding much too slowly - and the NPS coffer dam is needed more than ever. This could take years - Get NPS to put in 2 very low dams to give 2 ft deep water, not 4 ft. Disproportion of spending for the Georgetown Canal Boat – nothing for boaters, fishers.


2 – Fletchers - Build-up the waterside T.O. spot with gravel. Broaden trail by the water, remove logs. Also, three nasty broken-off 2”-high iron pipes near the parking place need razing - by saw, sledgehammer, dig-out. - we got the NHP to do this in a week - as a safety issue -


3 – Little Falls – Dalecarlia – Dig out the low level exit bayou and build steps and a slanted stone drag-ramp at the end.


4 - Lock 10 - T.O. used to be well stabilized with spongy stuff secured by black plastic snow-fence. The upstream side is now gone and erosion is setting in - slippery, too.


5 - Carderock - T.O. before Stubblefield Falls. - Several possible locations. Big job.


6 – Anglers - Put-In – Above the Canal -   Access is mediocre, the path becomes a stream in wet weather; the existing timber steps become more treacherous yearly. Consider the disproportionately expensive concrete bridge at the foot of steps. Also, erosion down the road to the bottom parking lot is a problem,


7 - Swains Lock – PI/TO is eroded, needs stabilizing – stone or concrete.


8 - Pennyfield Lock - The lock-wickets and waste-weir are opened, lowering the water level on the Canal up to Violettes to a trickle. Boaters should have some input on these decisions - or at least be told when they're made. We asked about this & it was fixed in a week.


9 - GW Loop/ C&O Canal Transfer – Mile 21 - The towpath is being abraded on both sides by us boaters.


10 Violettes – P.I is difficult – esp for handicapped. Tree roots are being exposed as paddlers clamber over them on several different routes. Moving the rocks in the water a few feet would make the put-in far easier.  This put-in is used by TRR and kayaking schools and CCA beginner paddlers. Improve the upper (canoeists) P.I.


10.5 – Rileys Lock Put-In – Monitor – This Maryland DNR put in is ideal – nothing needed, but keep watch. With Calleva there, any deleterious change will be instantly noticed – and opposed.


11 Trump Prohibition – CCA’s Sunday Paddles cross the Po almost every Sunday and now have a USCG number to call (410) 576-2525 that works well. This info shd be posted at Violettes so the unaware not run into the USCG and spoil their day. The USCG are (not always) enforcing a total river ban. We need to show the USSS / USCG how kayaks are not the problem. The USCG has yet to announce its final ruling. We sued, we won.


12 - The MacArthur parking prohibition near Anglers Inn is a crap-shoot - who'll be nailed on which day? This is not how law enforcement should work. This opportunity for mobilizing people parked there - handbills on windshields, talking with the Montgomery Co groups, etc. The householders later got the police to bar off the parking on the river side of MacA - lost.


13 - AW's HF Access project is dead in the water. But 2 new short term fixes: for the Needles: MCC has a deal with River Runners so members can go for free. (Should CCA do a similar?) Also for the Staircase: Adventure Rec Center (below the 340 bridge) will drive you up to Millville for $5 after your run. At the Weverton T.O get NPS to remove 3 downed trees across the trail. 


 14 - Goose Creek has been shut down 16 years - need to go after the new owners of the dam - Loudoun Water - to hurry up permissions. Go see the planned P.I.


15 – Warning signs for bikes at “Kayak Crossings” at 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 - Should show a kayak being carried – say “SLOW – RING BELL.” Too many bicyclists are zoned out, don’t realize the danger of hitting blinded kayakers, who sometimes have children along, crossing the towpath.  Kayakers at MP 21 need a warning sign, too.


16 – Reopen Teddy Roosevelt P.I. for the Fourth of July – CCA used to launch there – now no longer – Why?


17 – Lock 34 Parking – this has been blocked by the CSX or by the Canal – unclear – HFOF’s Mike Moore of HFOF will provide photos

.

18 – Maryland-side Parking – at top of the Needles – overrun by tubers in summer – Outfitters have a monopoly – need photos


19 – Patoma Wayside Winter Parking – This should be open to all (not just outfitters, who have closed for the season (1. Nov to mid April). Change the signs.


20 – Antietam Ck Mouth T.O. – muddy after rain, thaw. Place stone steps from riverside up the bank – 100 yds upstream of the Creek..


 For all of this we need people, volunteers and advice.  Sep 22, 2017, Presented at 10 Oct 2017 CCA Bd Mtg.  

 

Pamela White

.Moved to Goose Creek

Alford Cooley
.Moved to Goose Creek
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