Big Sandy Creek (Cheat trib.)

5.4.17
There is a log that crosses the entire river between First Island and Second Island. Yesterday at a level somewhere around 5.6 you could glide over it, but just barely. It is very visible and there are easy eddies upstream of it.

For those who prefer to run or bike your shuttle for the Big Sandy:

When traveling out of the canyon from the takeout, the first house on your right (White house) has a pit bull that has bitten at least four people this summer. The dog is black and white. There is another dog or two on the premises which I've not had trouble with. In June, the owner told me that he would euthanize the dog, but has not followed through on that promise. The last victim required extensive laceration repairs of both an arm and leg in an Emergency Department.

I would recommend carrying pepper spray or a firearm if you are so entitled (never imagined I would say such a thing). This dog has proven itself to be aggressive and dangerous. And the owners seem not to take their responsibilities as dog owners seriously.

A massive oil and gas waste landfill is planned for the the Big Sandy at the confluence with the Little Sandy. Check it out, and voice your opposition, please! Go to http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201106030350.
http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=100986
Send letters to: Preston County Solid Waste Authority c/o Mr. Fred Taylor 118 Lick Run Rd. Newburg, WV 26410 and also Preston County Commission 106 W Main Street, Room 202 Kingwood, WV 26537

I paddled the Sandy at 4.7 over Memorial Day weekend, and I want to warn people about Graveyard Rock, which is downstream of 'First Island' and the Ghost Bridge where the bridge pylons are. There is an enormous fallen tree upstream on river right that leaves only about 6-8 feet for passage. The right channel was totally blocked by wood, so I boat-scouted carefully, but the left channel turned out to have a mostly-submerged log completely blocking the channel, as well, lodged at the downstream end against the submerged log that has been against Graveyard Rock for several years. I couldn't see it from where I scouted, and I washed up against it and just barely made it over. At higher levels, it might not have been a problem, but with the enormous fallen tree only 30 feet upstream, probably ready to move, this route could become blocked again at any time, so be very careful!!! After running the slot, I removed the log, which was only about 6 inches in diameter, though very badly placed. Also, as a side note, I cleared the logs out that were blocking the Supermodel Slot, the narrow slot that many of us enjoy running, farther downstream toward the end of the river. There seems to be much more wood than usual on the Sandy, and much of it is ready to move, so be very careful on your trips.

A vehicle belonging to a boater was robbed at the Sandy/Cheat takeout in Jenkinsburg today. There were several other vehicles parked nearby at the time. It may be wise to limit things of value left in vehicles there. This is the first incident of this type I've heard of in the last decade.

Went today to go take some friends down the Upper Sandy because the Lower was 'too high', and drove across the the bridge at Rockville and there was no water. The gage was reading 4.8 ft. Maybe the gage is down or broken, just letting y'all know and save on some gas.

Cheers

Beware, the Rock forming the ledge at the 2nd drop of Big Splat has shifted towards the horseshoe hole. This is feeding more water into the hole, it is also pushing the current during your exit more river right,making it more difficult to catch the eddy. My advise is just be prepared to run the entire rapid without catching the eddy.If the horseshoe does flip you, of course nail that role, but if you miss it STAY in your boat and take the hammering in it. J.Black

Chrizee posted:

Wanted to pass on this email I just got from Jay Ditty of Morgantown in case any of you are heading this way:

As expected, some wood has moved around a bit on the creeks here in northern WV. On the Big Sandy, there are 2 logs in play that could cause some trouble. Hard to describe the location of the first one, but I'll try. Well below Big Splat, the creek mellows out for awhile, gets kind of shallow, and splits around some small boulder islands, then suddenly you get to a decent rapid (not sure if it has a name). The rapid is basically a series of offset holes (or rocks at lower water), then an almost river-wide hole (about a 3 ft ledge) usually punched on the right. Just below here the rapid continues over a couple of small ledges and then you get to the overhead cable that spans the creek. The big tree is lurking in the middle ledge hole and extending to the right bank. The second tree is blocking the main line on the left side of Second Island near the end of the run, extending from the left bank. It's gigantic and will likely be there for awhile. At today's level (7.5) it was easy to find routes around both of these, but they might surprise you if you aren't paying attention, and as the level drops they may become more difficult to get around. Decker's creek also has some wood, mostly in the Hairline and just below on the left, but it looks passable. Heads up this weekend, and have fun.
Jay