Water safety

I would be very careful at least for the next couple days if thinking of going in the water around populated areas. 11.5 inches of rain is way to much for any sewer systems. I think in providence for every 1 or 1/2 inch of rain something like 50,000gallons of sewage enters the bay. The algae blooms from that are out of control!

A few years back after a rain storm we kited in P-bay and a bunch of us got sick from high bacteria levels in the water. No matter where you go after a rain storm in the urban coastal areas there will always be a high bacteria count in the water. Qunicy bay is the worse even when there is no rain. You can check out the daily reading of all DCR (Department of Conservation & Recreation) beaches at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterQuality.htm

Ride Safely! LQQK B4 U LEAP! Driftwood, docks, glass & debris...

As I ran along the Charles River yesterday, I was reminded of just how much debris gets stirred up during these deluges -- tree limbs, driftwood, glass, nails, needles, sharp plastic and other garbage litters the shoreline.

Given what we know about the ebb and flow of tides, this isn't too surprising.

Anyone who's kited The Gorge knows that an occasional log, barge or other floating hazard is always a possibility, but here on the east coast, post-storm injury-inducing debris isn't usually in the forefront of our minds. Sewage is. And trust me, sewage should be a concern, but please also keep in mind that especially after storms like these, it is wise to keep an eye out for injury-inducing debris both in and out of the water.

A few weeks ago during that 'other' Nor'easter, I was astonished to see a 70-80 foot section of concrete topped dock that had been ripped from its pilings between the Mass Ave and BU bridges and lodged amongst an upside down chair, broken table, railroad ties, logs and other marine debris strewn about the shoreline.

My first thought was that I was glad this wasn't the scene at my favorite launch! My second thought was to let DCR know so that they could secure and remove all of these hazards. The dock is still chained up to the trees along the shoreline like a dog with four collars and as for the other hazards? Some have broken free into the open water and others continue to latch on to even more debris from upstream, but I digress.

I realize that we don't (never, ever!!!) kite on the Charles, but large tree limbs, parts of decks, railroad ties, lobster traps and other injury-inducing debris have been spotted at or near many of our ocean front launch sites. (Revere, Nahant, Duxbury to name a few...)

Please ride safely: even if you've been riding somewhere for a long time, be aware that these last few storms may have changed the underwater and shoreline landscape creating unimaginable hazards to us and our equipment.

AND, if you see a new hazard, let your fellow riders know. It is much more fun to jump over a hazard than to ride into one unintentionally!!

Kiting is all about having fun!

Ride Safely! LQQK B4 U LEAP!!

(And yes, the thought of riding into a dislodged lobster trap is horrifying - my apologies to all who are now wincing!)

I hope they leave it there, no more sand bags to fill up!LOL