Subject:     SF Preliminary Damage Asses
Sent:        1/10/97 2:48 PM
From:        Bruce Lewis, Bruce_Lewis@ermwsac.com
To:          GCP, gcp@lists.best.com


                  SF Preliminary Damage Assessment
                      
I know that many of us have been anxiously awaiting any news regarding changes
on the South Fork due to the flooding.  Dan Crandall (Current Adventures)
accompanied the Sheriff's Dept on a damage and debris assessment run of the South
Fork on Wednesday.  River flow that day was about 4,000 cfs.  Dan said that it
will be difficult to fully evaluate the changes made by the flood and the
implications on boating until the flows drop down to about 2,000 cfs. Some of
the observations he made on the run include the following:

First the good news:  The majority of debris (logs, trailer and house parts,
sheet metal, etc. has been left high and dry on the banks and doesn't appear to
comprise a boating hazard.  However, be advised that high water levels in the
future may wash some of this debris back into the river.

Chili Bar Hole:  It is likely that Chili Bar hole has been filled in.

Meatgrinder:  Several boulders have been moved around and the rapid has
undergone some changes.  Although the rearrangements did not pose any problems
at 4,000 cfs, it remains to be seen what the implications are for boating at
lower flows.

Maya:  Might have been changed.

First Threat:  Does not appear to have been rearranged or changed.

Third Threat:  Has been rearranged but the degree to which it has been changed
could not be determined.

Troublemaker:   Dan said that Troublemaker at 4,000 cfs was "strange looking". 
Since Dan has about as much experience on the South Fork as anyone, his stating
that it was "strange looking" has some interesting connontations.  He observed
that the rocks left of gunsight appear to have been moved downstream and now
form a drop with a hole behind them.  The movement of these rocks downstream now
allow water to pass through the peanut gallery on the left.  Dan said that there
were no surface indications (waves, boils, etc.) indicating the location of gunsight
and it will remain to be seen whether it is still there.

The most significant change in the river is Lake Coloma and the river adjacent
to Lotus-Henningsen Park.  A tremendous amount of gravels and sediments have
been deposited on the river bed at both of these locations.  Consequently, the
river bed has been raised several feet.  The upper end of Lake Coloma is now a
great big gravel bar and the majority of flow is toward river right.

There has been a major deposition of gravels in the river adjacent to and
upstream of Lotus-Henningsen Park is astounding.  The concrete bridge abutments,
ballet rock, and the other rocks throughout this section are now covered. Large
amounts of gravel have accumulated at the top of the 1st rapid below the park
and there is now a big drop leading into that rapid.  Doubtless, the river will
continue to rearrange these deposits and will reach some type of equilibrium and
produce some channels of flow through the gravels.  Lets hope the channels are
boatable.

The Gorge:  Does not appear to be any major changes in the Gorge.

Flood Relief Efforts:  Chili Bar and the Nugget are having cleanup gatherings
this Saturday and Sunday.  Anyone interested in helping them cleanup debris and
gather up personal belongings scattered down the river should meet at Chili Bar
or the Nugget at 10:00 am.  Lotus camp will be having cleanup days the weekend
of January 18 & 19, and February 1 & 2.  I urge anyone who has enjoyed the South
Fork to pitch in and help our neighbors on the river.

Good Boating.