what should you do with debris in water?

[daniel2229]

What is the correct protocol when you see a floating branch or log in the water at a lake where skiers and fishermen are active? Should I try to lasso the offending branch and haul it to the shore? I boat at Caesar's Creek Lake in SW Ohio and often see floating debris in the water. I falsely assumed that the local rangers did that kind of stuff, but it seems they spend most of their time under the Route 73 bridge handing out tickets for too much wake.

I didn't have anything but my anchor rope to tow with and wasn't sure where to put a branch as the wind changes directions pretty quicky on that lake and might refloat something I pulled out. Also the shore line there is pretty much full of downed trees and standing trees so you can't get really close to the bank.

The first day I took possession of my boat I saw a car tire and rim fully inflated in the middle of the lake! People were wizzing past it willy nilly!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

I have on occasion towed debris to the bank. But nothing says it's going to stay there, nor that more won't float out, first storm that hits.

I'd say pretty much your call. When you ski you need to know your water....sorta your responsibility. Floating debris is part of knowing your water.

My 2c.

Mark

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

I always haul in any floating debris I see in the water - plastic bags, plastic cups, beer cans, branches, planks, pressure treated beams, whole trees, dock sections, swim ladders, bait buckets, tackle boxes, coolers (some with beer!!), car tires, boat cushions, paddles, gas cans, propane tanks, frisbees, tennis balls, and in one case - an RV Add-A-Room in a Rubbermaid bin! If it floats - I've probably found it!

Oh yes, and boat fenders, too! Until a couple years ago when my wife insisted on all matching fenders for our recently restored runabout, I had never purchased a fender in my life! Got a whole section of wall in the boat house covered with fenders of all sizes, colors, styles.... I love it when I see a boat flying by with all the fenders just a flyin'. I know that sooner or later they'll be mine...
- Scott

 

[Coors]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

I've seen debris with milk jugs tied to them, so others can see the tree,floating just barely under the water.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

if it's to large flag it, as Coors, said. and call the local authorities, as a navigation hazard. hitting a 1/2 full beer can, can put a pretty good ding in a boat, so pick it up. i keep an old rope in my boats, for just such a purpose. if it's too far to the ramp, i will tow it to shore and tie it off. on something, even someones dock. there is a great fishing creek here, that has a lot of fallen trees from hurricanes, it's filled with milk jugs tied to obstacles. there is one place where you have to do a Z type turn to get thru the milk jugs. it's worth the trip though.

 

[daniel2229]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

I like the idea of tying items to something that doesn't move. I guess I should get some cheap nylon rope, tow a limb to a nearby tree and tie them off together.

Hey, it might even make some added fishing structure!

 

[flashback]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

I picked up a 10x12 section of dock last year that was floating about 4 inches below the surface, tied a line on it and hauled it back to my dock and tied it off in shallow water, the river dropped 5 feet in the winter and left it high and dry. I removed the old floatation and install some new and now I have a great swim platform.. as far as logs and such go. I kind of agree with Texmark, they will probably end up back in the river eventually.. I guess a lot depends on where you boat.. around here every spring the water goes up to full pool and all the logs and debris that fell in the winter will float on down the river......

 

[Mike722]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

I try to pick it all up, because I figure I will be the one that hits it on the way back.

 

[John_S]

Re: what should you do with debris in water?

If you boat or live on a river, there is nothing you haven't seen come down. The leaves are finally coming out here, so allot of deposited debris will be hidden from sight. Too, many people still deposit things on river banks, etc. It all ends up in the river. Spring and flood times are the worse.

At the lake (we are on the outlet), most of debris happens at spring time, when they raise the water levels. Logs and docks are the main debris. There is always someone that forgets to pull their dock out before winter. Had a 12' X 20' deck lodged in the rocks from last Junes flood. It had to be cut-up to be removed. About 15 years ago, had a whole boat house come down. The neighbor pulled it to shore, rebuilt and still has it. I haul logs to the state side of channel and tie off with nylon rope. Makes for more fish structure.

In most areas, its a problem just to haul it someplace. Nobody wants you to dump on their property. Also, ramps don't want that around.