Water News You Can Use, Southwest Florida Water Management District, June 4
Lots of water saving ideas for our readers who still maintain a land based domicile.
CRUISERS NET
Cruisers Helping Cruisers
Comprehensive cruising resource for the Intracoastal Waterways
from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
FREE to use due to the generosity of our sponsors - please patronize them
Video Report from Fort Pierce City Marina, Fort Pierce, FL AICW Statute Mile 966.5
Fort Pierce City Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a public facility, is located west of the Waterway, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188. See FOCUS ON for more on this excellent facility.
Click here for Video Report from Fort Pierce City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
1 Facebook Likes, 1 Facebook Reactions
Be the first to comment!
SCDNR Updated List of Closures and Cancellations
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor COVID-19. In accordance with directives issued by Gov. Henry McMaster, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, SCDNR has canceled, postponed or closed several programs and events.
Updated Wednesday, June 3, 2020
*New items are bolded
Cancellations & Closures
SCDNR continues to monitor COVID-19. In accordance with directives issued by Gov. Henry McMaster, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, SCDNR has canceled, postponed or closed several programs and events.
View a complete and updated list.
Following are SCDNR-related cancellations:
- Table Rock Fishing Clinic (June 6)
- Lake Rabon Fishing Rodeo (June 6)
- Sewee Center Fishing Rodeo (June 13)
- All in-person hunter and boater education classes are canceled through June 15.
- Sun City Grandparents Park Fishing Clinics (June 20, July 18)
- Volunteer Lab days at SCDNR’s Parker Annex Archaeology Center are canceled until further notice.
- Bat netting is canceled until further notice.
- All Trailer and Take One Make One (TOMO) events are canceled until further notice.
Following are SCDNR-related closures:
- All secondary roads on Jocassee Gorges were closed May 11 in accordance with the normal road management schedule. Secondary roads will reopen Sept. 15.
- The St. Stephen’s Fish Lift (Shad cam available)
- All SCDNR freshwater fish hatcheries (still operational, but closed to public)
- SCDNR offices statewide currently do not allow in-person transactions. All services can be completed online, by phone or U.S. mail.
- U.S. Department of Energy has closed Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve in Aiken County is closed until further notice.
- Duke Energy has closed Bad Creek Hydro Project.
SCDNR urges all customers to utilize online resources for the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses, as well as renewal of boat registrations.
At this time, COVID-19 has not impacted season dates or regulations of upcoming hunting or fishing seasons.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Rembert C. Dennis Building
1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Be the first to comment!
Shared Photo – Jerico River in Midway, GA
From My Georgia Coast by Bobby Cary as shared on Save Georgia’s Anchorages by Ted Arisaka.
Jerico River in Midway, GA
1 Facebook Likes, 1 Facebook Reactions
Be the first to comment!
Georgia’s New Anchoring Regulations Claim a Victim in Turner Creek, GA AICW Statute Mile 585.5
Our thanks to Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for passing along this Facebook 5/28 post from Jayne Salvo Gorham. Turner Creek which intersects the Waterway south of Thunderbolt is a small low-traffic area with two small marinas allowing access to Wilmington Island and Savannah.
Well, today we ran afoul of Georgia’s new anchoring law. We went to anchor in Turner Creek near Thunderbolt and anchored in one of the spots recommended in the cruising guides near the town and marinas. We anchored well clear of any of the marinas but apparently one of the marina operators immediately made a call to the Georgia DNR to complain and an officer came out in her car and raised us on her bull horn. We talked to her on the telephone and she told us we were definitely not allowed to Anchor within 1000 feet of any dock of any kind which pretty much eliminates all of the creek. There was one spot way up the creek under the bridge where we could be a thousand feet away from anything and it turns out it was a relatively nice place after all.
Although the officer was very professional and polite, it is quite clear that Georgia is very hostile towards Cruisers who dare to Anchor in sight of their dock
We were planning to go ashore and spend some money in the town, but not anymore.
Jayne Salvo Gorham2 Facebook Likes, 2 Facebook Reactions
Comments from Cruisers (6)
- Reply to R.
One idea, would be to establish anchoring reciprocity agreements from state to state, like with so many other things. That way, if you lived in a state that prohibited anchoring, you could expect the same treatment, when you went somewhere else. Because, you know a lot of the people in Georgia who support these anchoring regulations, probably like anchoring in other states. They just don't want you to do it in their state.
- Reply to Kent
If the poster's push pin locator is correctly placed, she was indeed in violation of the regulations. We just had our boat hauled at that marina / yard…Sail Harbor…with excellent results I might add…and her locator pin is right off the end of the Sail Harbor's docks. And the Creek is very narrow. The Aqua Map icon should be removed from that location. There is another anchoring icon a bit further up the creek toward the bridge where there is bigger water. Sorry she got flagged, but she should have been more courteous to Sail Harbor's facilities.
- Reply to Ted
Hi Kent:
The marker shown on this cruisersnet post is not where they were anchored. I contacted the OP and she messaged me her GPS coordinates both before and after she was asked to move by the GA DNR. It appears they were in compliance with the 300ft setback required in "Marina Zones". My colleague, James Newsome, in our grassroots group "Save Georgia's Anchorages" contacted GA DNR and posted this positive outcome over on our facebook page.[James H. Newsome] "As a follow up on this incident, I forwarded 2 charts to DNR along with a brief summary opinion of why we thought the DNR officer and marina owner were wrong.
"Assuming the boater's accounting of the incident is correct, and it certainly appears credible, we believe she was inaccurately advised by the DNR officer to abandon her anchored position. Additionally, the officer stated that the boater could not anchor within 1000' of any dock. This is not correct. The marina zone allows boaters to dock closer than 1000' but not within 300' of a marina."
Pictures of the chart by Ted Arisaka will be included in replies to this comment.
I discussed this situation with the Deputy Commissioner for GA DNR yesterday and he agrees with our assessment of the incident. He also commented that the officer has been contacted and the Commissoiner's AO, which established the setbacks, has been reviewed with her in an effort to prevent a future occurrence. He also said that the marina owner was contacted and informed that the boater was legally anchored and should not have been made to move.
Deputy Commission Rabon and I agreed that while a mistake was made it was encouraging that all parties involved were cordial and acted in a responsible manner. I acknowledged that our boating organizations are working to educate cruisers and advise them of the current situation with the anchoring laws in GA.
As a further update, we are hopeful that GA's HB833, legislation to replace HB201, will pass the Senate in the final phase of the General Assembly which will reconvene mid-June. DNR and our coalition of boating groups strongly support this legislation." - Reply to Jim
AICW Statute Mile 858.5 is not in Georgia:
Georgia’s New Anchoring Regulations Claim a Victim in Turner Creek, GA AICW Statute Mile 858.5
Editor: Jim is correct, it should read 585.5. My bad!
- Reply to Richard
We took the opportunity in April 2020 to just skip the entire state of GA when coming south by going outside to Jacksonville from the last passable inlet in SC.
- Reply to Ted
What is unfortunate is that the DNR Officer apparently only cited the 1000ft setback from structures requirement and seemingly not aware of the 300ft-1000ft "marina zones" that allow anchoring and take precedence. Our group Save Georgia's Anchorages intends to provide some feedback to the DNR on this matter. Thanks Cruisers'Net for broadcasting this story.
-
Good News Report from Hell Gate, GA AICW Problem Stretch Statute Mile 602
Our thanks to Bill King for confirming the success of last year’s dredging of this Problem Stretch, which, for the time being at least, seems not such a Problem Stretch.
BTW…on the north-bound transit, came through Hell Gate (GA) last week at dead low tide. I know it was dredged but I did not expect to see 9’-plus all the way through following the USACE survey route.
Bill King
Stuart, Florida
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Hell GateClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchComments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Nelms
Went thru the Gate on 1/9/21 at low tide. Lowest observed depth was 7.6 ft.
-
Missing Sign, Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, FL
Caladesi Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Caladesi Island in the Gulf of Mexico, across St. Joseph Sound to the west of Dunedin, Florida, and north of Clearwater Beach. See Report from Caledesi Island by Claiborne Young from 2012. If you have an answer for Jon, let us hear from you. Currently the State Park has limited facilities dues to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can you tell me what happened to the sign for CALADESI ISLAND that was on Marker 14? WHY is it gone? Can it be replaced?
JonBe the first to comment!
Thank you! from Staniel Cay and Makers Air, Bahamas
The Care Package initiative was a huge success and the appeal for donations has ended. Good for you readers!
All of us at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Makers Air wish to express our sincere gratitude for the support and love everyone has shown to the community of Staniel Cay and the staff of SCYC. Thanks to you, our Care Package Initiative was a huge success, and we far exceeded our goal!We are officially ending this fundraising effort today, but due to the outstanding generosity of so many of you, we will now be able to do a second Care Package delivery in early June without the need to raise any additional funds.We will be delivering the much needed initial Care Packages this weekend, as planned.A very heartfelt “Thank You!!” from us to all of you.Be safe and we hope to welcome you back soon!Sincerely,Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Makers Airon behalf of the Community of Staniel Cay
Makers Air | Staniel Cay Yacht Club | Watermakers, Inc. | Exumas, ., Bahamas Be the first to comment!
Reminder: It’s Waterbird Nesting Season – Respect Marked Boundaries
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public that it’s waterbird nesting season. Many Floridians and guests are returning to the state’s beaches to celebrate Memorial Day weekend but this is also a critical time for Florida’s vulnerable wading birds, shorebird and seabird populations. By respectfully sharing our beaches and waterways with these birds, people can help ensure their survival.
Least tern chick by Carol Rizkalla/FWC.
Help us conserve beach nesting birds
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public that it’s waterbird nesting season. Many Floridians and guests are returning to the state’s beaches to celebrate Memorial Day weekend but this is also a critical time for Florida’s vulnerable wading birds, shorebird and seabird populations. By respectfully sharing our beaches and waterways with these birds, people can help ensure their survival.
Shorebirds and seabirds, such as snowy plovers and black skimmers, build shallow nests on the ground. Their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged and can easily be missed and even stepped on. Wading birds, such as herons, egrets and pelicans, are also nesting now. They typically nest in mangroves and on tree islands around the state. When people come too close to their nests, they can cause birds to abandon their nesting sites, leaving eggs and chicks vulnerable.
“Startling birds might not seem like a big deal, but disturbing shorebirds and seabirds can actually be deadly,” said FWC Florida Shorebird Alliance Coordinator, Shea Armstrong. “If a mother bird is forced to leave her nest, her eggs or chicks are left behind where they can be eaten by predators, exposed to the hot sun, or trampled by unsuspecting beachgoers.”
Boaters and beachgoers can make a big difference for Florida’s vulnerable nesting shorebirds and seabirds by following these simple guidelines:
- Keep your distance from birds, on the beach and on the water. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. Birds calling out loudly and dive-bombing are signals to back off.
- Respect posted areas. When possible, stay at least 300 feet from a posted nesting area. Avoid entering areas marked with signs for nesting birds and use designated walkways.
- Do not enter Critical Wildlife Areas. CWAs are established to give wildlife the space needed for nesting, roosting and foraging, and they are clearly marked with signs or buoys to alert boaters to areas that are closed to public access.
- Avoid intentionally forcing birds to fly or run. This causes them to use energy needed for nesting, and eggs and chicks may be left vulnerable to the sun’s heat or predators. Teach children to let shorebirds and seabirds rest instead of chasing them, and encourage friends and family to do the same. Shorebirds and seabirds outside of posted areas may be feeding or resting and need to do so without disturbance.
- It is best to leave pets at home but if you bring them to the beach, keep them leashed and avoid shorebird and seabird nesting areas. Pets are not permitted on most beaches, including state parks, so always check and be respectful of local rules when preparing for a day at the beach.
- Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, which can prey on shorebird eggs and chicks. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and other wildlife.
- Spread the word. Let your friends and family know how important it is to give shorebirds space and share the message on social media!
- Report disturbance of nesting birds to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or by texting Tip@MyFWC.com. You can also report nests that are not posted to our Wildlife Alert Program.
For more information on how you can help Florida’s shorebirds, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds or FLShorebirdAlliance.org.
To learn more about Florida’s CWAs or confirm CWA locations in your area, visit MyFWC.com/CWA.
QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC
Be the first to comment!
More Advice Needed on Air Draft at Wilkerson Creek Bridge, Alligator/Pungo Canal, AICW Statute Mile 126
Our most recent report on clearance at Wilkerson Creek Bridge is from experienced tall-master, Rick Dammeyer. Answers are needed for new questions from John Rahm. If you carry 64ft mast height and have passed under this bridge successfully (or not!?!), please let us hear from you.
Requesting insight on the Wilkerson Bridge at MM 125.9.
Are the clearance boards in tact?
What is the tidal range there?
Is there anyone close, that I can call, to check the clearance, before I leave Portsmouth?
Need the phone number of the closest house!
Thanks in advance. Moving a boat with a 63 foot mast.
Cheers, Captain John RahmWondering about the height of the water at the Wilkerson Bridge and whether or not a boat with 64 ft mast will be able to get under the bridge.
Bill CombsClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wilkerson Creek Bridge
Comments from Cruisers (3)
- Reply to Jenelle
We just passed under this bridge on June 4, 2021 at midtide. Tide board read 64 + barnacles. We require 63.5 and the VHF antenna whipped the top with our passage.
- Reply to Captain
The nominal air draft at the Wilkerson Bridge is 64 ft. There is negligible lunar tide in this area, but water depths will vary depending on wind speed and direction. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds will lower the water levels by up to 2 ft. Conversely, strong east or southeasterly winds across the Pamlico Sound will raise the water level and reduce bridge clearance.
Since the water level varies from day to day, the best thing to do is contact an approaching sailboat that has recently passed under the bridge and ask about conditions. If you are southbound, do that when still in the Alligator River, since there is no place to anchor in the Alligator River Cut to wait for a wind shift. If northbound, ask someone in the Belhaven/Dowrey Creek area so you can anchor in the Pungo River anchorage just south of the Wilkerson Bridge, if needed. The folks at Dowrey Creek Marina can also give you information about the current water depths in the area.
- Reply to Mary
We just passed under this bridge on Friday May 12th without issue. We require 63 1/2′ clearance and had approximately 6″ to spare. Height board showed 64′.
-
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com
Be the first to comment!