GSL Marina Users and Slip Renters
Ok, I know many of you know what a deadhead
is but I have had several people inquire about what they are. Rather than
responding individually I thought I would respond to the whole
group.
In 1903 the Railroad built a wooden trestle accross
the lake. In the 50's the railroad replaced this trestle with a landfill
structure. This is the causeway that cuts the lake in half.
to make a long story short, the old trestle
fell in disrepair. In the 80's the railroad contracted to have the old
trestle pulled and removed. Unfortunately, from disrepair and storms much
of the trestle wood is now dispersed throughout the lake resting on the islands
and shores.
During the spring weather, when the lake rises and
storms come through, many of these large logs break loose from the islands and
get caught in the currents that flow counter clockwise around the lake.
These logs are called deadheads.
These deadheads can be very dangerous. These
logs can be as short as six feet or as long as 40 or more feet. Some logs
float on the surface. Others only have one end that barely break the
surface. The rest of the log lays vertical in the water and can get stuck
in the muddy bottom. This becomes an even more dangerous
situation.
Deadheads are a common phenomenom during the spring
months and become less of a concern during the summer months. They are
possible but rare during the fall and winter months.
Deadheads are more common in the area I personally
call "Deadhead Alley" this is the area along the causeway, down Hat,
Carrington, and Stansbury Island before curving east along Eardley accross our
marina (in the GSLYC race course area) before ending up on the southwest
quadrant of Antelope Island.
And there you have the story of the
Deadhead.
If you spot one of these deadheads, please get a
GPS fix on it. And then report it to the Harbormaster 801-250-1898 or gslharbormaster@hughes.net
Thank you
Dave Shearer
Harbormaster
Great Salt Lake
State Marina