Campbell Hole sleeps with the fishes

Art Keating wrote me recently to pass on an update about the ledge formerly know as the Campbell Hole on the Williams River. "Here is a photo from... the Williams/ Campbell hole @ 1200 cfs. Normally a great flow for this hole and It appears to be gone. @ 1200 the hole normal stretches across 80% of the river." He also writes, "the [whole] river is wider with a newly routed flow coming into the hole and sediment filling in the pool directly behind the hole.  One tree in the eddy.  The route for exiting water from the pool is very different and more serpentine and shallow.  Obviously the ledge rock that spans 75% of the river and creates the hole is still there, but the banks have expanded and it looks like it will take a higher flow to create anything and then at a higher flow the site may be rendered useless." He goes on to say, "It would be a shame to lose this one, but holes and changes in river topography seem to be easily changed…..maybe it will change back soon with a few events of higher flows/ice?" Indeed. Campbell hole is dead. Long live Campbell hole! We look forward to your resurrection. Shalom, Jolyon

Woodstock Waves

There are high water waves on the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont below the Elm street bridge. The best levels are not well known. Suffice to say... HIGH! A friend of mine has surfed here when the inflow gauge on quechee gorge was at about 3000 cfs. That's a ways downstream, but probably a good indicator of the low side. There used to be an online realtime usgs gauge upstream but it looks as if it's been decommissioned,  or at least de-linked. Hurricane Irene levels (100 year flood high) are probably the upper end for surfing here. The video above, from the hurricane, shows what things look like when the water is so high that the floodplains are getting cleaned of all their propane tanks. Not necessarily a good time to be on the water. But the waves look ridiculous. Good luck driving there on a day like that. I guess if the world were ending in a flood and you lived in Woodstock this might be a pretty good way to go out. Until then, look for high water and don't get arrested or clobbered by a propane tank. Any further info on these waves is welcome.

Local Hurricane Relief Efforts

Dear paddlers of the upper valley and beyond. As you may know, many folks around here, especially in Vermont have lost a great deal due to the recent flooding. I hope you got out on the good water safely. It looks like there's more in store. I would like to ask you dear readers, who like me, love high water and epic surf, to consider contributing in some way to help those who've suffered much from Hurricane Irene. Best is to help someone you know... next best, someone you don't. If you're looking for an outlet, the Tucker Foundation is coordinating some community response, both monetary and in-kind donations. They are good people, not much like the norm at Dartmouth. I hope you made it through safe and sound friends. Shalom. Jolyon

PS: I do know one local guy, a paddler, who lost his home. Here's how to help.

OCEAN SURF WEEKEND

forcast swell height from swellinfo.com

Ok people, here it is! Hurricane Irene is coming our way and yeah, you could stay inland, catch some rain and hit some river stuff, or you could head to the coast, try not to get killed, and surf some HUGE waves! Forecasts for wave height are looking amazing. On SWELLINFO.COM The apex time/place looks like Montauk, NY on Long Island on sunday afternoon (as the storm is passing over) with projected swell of 26 feet!!! Yes 26. Holy Crap. That's VERY double overhead.

montauk, ny swell forecast graph from swellinfo

Otherwise it looks like good surf between chest high and over head on the NY and NJ coast all day saturday and sunday (ridiculous on sunday afternoon), and the Cape and Maine coming in later and dropping out (down to chest high) by noon on monday. HIT IT UP! As a side note, expect beach closures and anal bureaucrats with guns trying to keep you off the water and/or freaking out while you are out there and arresting you when you come in if the waves look especially amazing. As an aside, don't be stupid. Only go out if you are comfortable with big ocean surfing, familiar with the unique risks, and able to avoid swimming. But like Han says: "Never tell me the odds!" Shalom - Jolyon

Flow Flash: 8-16-11

Hey people! The rain has hit and it looks like Campbell Hole on the Williams will be coming in at least briefly, and sharon dam on the white for longer. Get on it!