Well we have some good news and some not so sure news. We also have upcoming events and other important notices. So please stay with me through this email.
SNOWPACK
First of all, snowpack has climbed above 100% for the Great Salt Lake drainage. It was 106% with snow today.
The mouth of the marina (if you hit it just right) is about 4 feet. Four foot draft boats are getting out but bumping sometimes. (news about dredging in a bit)
The snowpack outlook is still in the air for this winter and spring but there is some hope. The two halves of the lake are in relative equilibrium for the first time in several years. That means, if we have a normal snowpack, the lake should rise 2 feet during the runoff and drop 2 feet during the summer evaporation cycle. So our lake level this summer is completely determined by how long we get storms this winter and spring. Let's hope it stays wet through May.
DREDGING
I still don't have a lot of news about dredging other than plans are moving forward. There was a pre-bid meeting with contractors last week. There is a fair amount of money allocated for dredging too. The two unknowns are how much material can be removed from the marina based on the space we have to store the spoils . . . and when dredging begins. I will keep you posted as I find out more.
WATERLINE
We are without water right now at the marina. The waterline bringing water from the Tooele Valley is old and breaks a lot. It is currently broken and we are trying to find where it is broken so it can be repaired. The legislature funded a new waterline coming from Salt Lake City. Plans for this new waterline are almost complete with the plans that the line goes in this late spring through the summer. This will bring us reliable water but also will have some significant impacts on the marina this summer.
The first significant impact is we will be losing one of our storage lots completely. The storage lot that is out by the cell tower will be occupied by a water tank and a building and will no longer be able to be used for storage. That means we must get rid of quite a few boats and trailers. If you haven't been paying for storage for your boat you are likely to be asked to find other storage locations. We have already towed quite a few boats considered abandoned. We just don't have any room to relocate boats and trailers in the parking lot anymore. WE NEED THE PARKING LOT BACK. We will have to have all the boats and trailers removed from the UNSECURED (where the cell tower is) lot by the next two months.
The second significant impact is from the construction itself. Eventually it will probably be necessary to close down the park for a short period of time (a few days or a week) so the new water line can be run down the road to the marina. I don't know when this will happen yet but I will keep you posted.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We have some events that are planned for this summer. Here are a few upcoming events with dates (were available)
Opening Day and Blessing of the Fleet. Saturday, May 3rd. This event will be similar to last year with a boat parade, social and blessing of the fleet. More details to follow. NOTE - This event will probably not be impacted by dredging or waterline construction.
Eardley Spit Cruise - Scheduled for June 7th but is up in the air as far as the date due to waterline construction.
Sailfest - Early June - Date dependent on waterline construction / dredging.
ITS STILL WINTER - WIND CAN BE VERY STRONG AT THE MARINA
Winter and Spring are windy season (frontal season) at the Great Salt Lake Marina. We have already had gusts at 75mph and we had a recent wind storm deliver four straight days of 65mph gusts. We have had broken dock lines, shredded sails, etc. Make sure your sails are secure and your dock lines are in good condition.
MORE NEWS TO COME SOON!
Sailing season is just around the corner!
So is Rowing season!
See you soon.
Dave
