Unfortunately, our original plan of having a Topeka Fire Department boat at the tip of the island above the dam has been nixed by city officials.  It has to do with concerns over liability.  It's one of those head scratching things that really drives you crazy.  The fire fighter are allowed to be on the dam ready to attempt a rescue, but are not allowed to be at the tip of the island to prevent the need for a rescue. 

We will have at the tip of the island a flashing strobe light and rivermiles flag.  This will be visible once you clear the south (right) span of the Highway 75 Bridge.  Head towards the light marking the island.  You will have about a half mile to make the move.  That's a lot of room.  We require everyone to pass on the downstream left side of the island.  This means you have an island on your RIGHT and shoreline on your LEFT.  You will also see the boat ramp clearly marked with a flashing light and lots of activity. 

Remember that on the left side of the island there are some shallow areas and rock dikes.  You should hug the island side of this chute and be ready to possibly walk your boat through a couple shallow spots before the portage.

We will have a boat moored on the dam and ready to scramble in the event that someone is spotted coming down the wrong side of the island.  Also, the firefighters will be on the dam.  It's almost inconceivable that someone would miss the lights and go the wrong way.  I don't want to scare anyone.  It's not a difficult thing to head left once you see the island light and ramp lights.  And honestly, most folks will make this part of the river in daylight between 5am and 10am.  But for those of you fast enough to get there in the dark, please pay attention. 

IF someone were to accidentally find themselves on the wrong side of the island, you'd see the intake, the dam, the notch and fire fighters would be waving their arms and pointing to your left directing you away from danger.  The Rivermiles boat would be moving towards you and pointing to your left.  You'd be directed to the island beach.  In other words, if you accidentally go right of the island, it's not a panic situation.  Just head for the island.  It is, however, a disqualification.

We'll discuss this all again Friday at the safety meeting.  I'll be available for questions.

Scott

As of yesterday if you go left of the first island, you will have to portage just before the mandatory portage bc of the "rock dikes"? 

After about 13 miles I had walked the boat four times. Do your self a favor and plan on walking/dragging your boat a lot.

If you don't expect to be walking your boat across the sand in the middle of the night, you may be eaten by the KAWNIVORE. Don't let Scott fool you its really scary!

Just a reminder that me and Russ will be at Topeka portage around 845am Friday morning.  This is a good place to stop on your way to Manhattan and do some scouting.  If you plan to get in the water, paddle upstream of the ramp and check out RAMP SIDE of the island.  This is the side you'll be coming in on to portage.  There are a couple of rock dikes peeking just above the waterline on this side of the island.  It will be worth a half hour to at least lay eyes on this, even if you never take your boat off the car.  See it in daylight and it will all make sense to you.  You should see the highway 75 bridge way upstream.  Once you pass under that bridge during the race, you make a beeline for the ramp, and you've got no problems.

See some of you there in the morning.

Scott

The work continues.  Proposals are in the hands of the city manager, Randy Speaker, to get an engineer to do a feasibility assessment on the dam.  This only costs $5000 and would be the first step in the project.  There have been verbal commitments on doing this, but now it's time for actual triggers to be pulled. 

I also read that the trial for the 2 earlier deaths has been delayed again until June or July.  The city of Topeka is spending tens of thousands on this case which will likely get settled for cash before it ever goes to trial.  Fixing the problem is a very good investment. 

No lawsuit has been filed in the most recent death.  I believe the hope of the family is that the city takes steps to remedy the dam.  So far, they have been very patient.  But the one year anniversary is approaching.  It would be nice to see some sort of real action take place. 

Also, there is a rumor that the Kaw is being considered for a national historic waterway designation.  This is a big deal.  The new upgrades to the dam in Lawrence will include a nice portage and enhanced safety.  That leaves Topeka as the only dam on the river in need of serious, immediate remedy.

Not a dumb question at all and one that is on my mind as I watch weather and releases. 

I'm hopeful that with the supervision of the fire department, we can do exactly what you describe.  And that makes Tecumseh a non-issue with that dam totally submerged.  But yes, that's why we built in the August date and had everyone agree to it upon sign up. 

As of last year, the Topeka Fire Department was saying they would be happy to return.  They were awesome and worked well within the confines of what the city would allow them to do for us.  (They wanted to do much more)  Many of them want to do the race someday.

Scott