Between 2.0 and 3.0 Herman to St Chas. The channel is so narrow that there is little room between buoys for barges.

Thanks for the updates. This data will definitely help us plan as we look at drift speeds while one is sleeping in the boat. Slower water than the last two years, but that means more refuge from barges, storms and fog.

Keep them coming, I know more boats are on the river as we get closer.

Reeves

These are some pretty sweet numbers.  There are some spots much slower than others where the river gets really wide and sluggish.  Count on 2.5-3.5.  Use 3mph as a good average for long range planning. 

This is why we stress the mantra, "stay in the boat."  Even if all you're doing is paddling enough to keep the bow pointed downstream, you'll likely do 5mph with little effort.  But if you're on shore staring at the river and feeling miserable, you aren't going anywhere.  Stay in the boat and St. Charles will come to you. 

Ground crews, this is for you.  You do your paddler no favor by accommodating their shore time.  Give them what they need, stroke their ego and get them back on the water.  Did you get them that cheeseburger they requested?  Great!  Don't hand it to them until they're back in the boat.  They can eat it and gush about how great it tastes while the drift at 3.5mph.  The longer they stand or heaven forbid, SIT on the boat ramp, the longer it will take them to get back in the boat. 

They will thank you in St. Charles.

Paddlers should eat in the boat.  Drink in the boat.  Rest in the boat.  The only reason to spend extended time on shore is if you're too sleepy to continue safely.  But sore, grouchy, hungry, thirsty, bored, hot, angry, frustrated, dirty... all can be done in the boat moving downstream.

scott is right..  that is the KEY to finishing the race..  if you plan on winning a class or just want to finish this MUST be done..

We paddled yesterday Washington to St. Charles. River speed at the Washington bridge was 4.1 but then it dropped average for the day was around 3. But you have to stay in the channel. You know when you're out of it that paddle gets heavy. No wind. Thanks for paddling with me Tom, Jason and Rob good luck.

Don't know that I've ever followed a "thalweg" unless she was the one leaving the bar in Portland that one time.....?

Well, Kathy gave up on proof reading my posts a long long time ago, so I feel pretty safe.

But sorry, I kinda forgot things have changed at your house this year.

Good word to know.  I think the eminent hydrologist Don Wilkison introduced me to the term thalweg.  The eminent beer-ologist Walt Birmingham introduced me to the bar in Portland.  Mostly because it was an October 340 and the Cardinals had a pretty important game on TV...Walt is a fan.

But we weren't shirking our safety boat duties because there was a tandem team there as well eating barbecue with their ground crew. 

As for the girl named Thalweg, I don't remember a whole lot.  She was long and curvy.  Dressed in red and green, I think.  She had a friend named Sandy.  We all had fun until her boyfriend Eddy showed up.  He barged right in.

Around what river mile is the ramp for the good burgers and drinks?