After coming in on a falling tide yesterday, and seeing how bad the problem is, I have decided to fight to get this dredged. I found the old post and coppied the great letter that was put out for us to use and started sending it to everyone I know in the media. I also sent it to Tim Scott and the Army Corps of Engineers. I think we need to be “squeaky wheels” and not let up until bushy park gets dredged. What a shame to have a great launch facility and only be able to use it at high tide.
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
It’s definitely getting worse. Last year I could get my boat up on plane either in the river or at the ramp and make it across, although I got some strange looks and threw one hell of a mud rooster tail. Came back in Sunday an hour after low tide thinking I’d be good since the water had started back in and had several pucker moments where it felt like the boat was going to stop.
I am meeting with reporters on Sunday morning (10:00am)at Bushy park landing. They are going to do a story about the silting problem and talk with crabbers and rec. fisherman. You are encouraged to come and tell them how you feel about this wonderful landing being destroyed due to the silting.
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
It is definitely getting worse. We only draw about 11" and barely make it across the shallow spots 2 hours on either side of the tide. Last year we could make it 1 hour on either side. It cost me a water pump impeller this year. It is truly a disgrace that the approach to the landing has not been maintained over the years, and a shame that the industries upriver don’t take some responsibility for the tugs that push the silt towards the landing every time they go around the bend from the landing. This happens when the tugs are going up or downstream. The barge traffic has significantly increased over the last few years and I am sure they are the main culprits in the silting. No matter about the tugs though. The lack of any maintenance whatsoever over the years has brought this to the critical point.
Thanks for your efforts Paul. We will do our best to see you there on Sunday morning and hope many others will do the same.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
how is a tug drafting 8-9ft the culprit of pushing silt in water thats 30ft deep??
21 Contender
How did I know you were going to answer that???
Truth is it is nobodys fault. Tidal rivers are built on a shifting substrate. Channels fill in and with out constant dredging they close up. I don’t want fighting and finger pointing on this thread, I want results. We need to push elected officals into action, find the funding to dredge the 1/4 mile from the channel to the landing. For once lets work together commercial fisherman and recreational fisherman and try to get the funding for dredging.
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
I am meeting with reporters on Sunday morning (10:00am)at Bushy park landing. They are going to do a story about the silting problem and talk with crabbers and rec. fisherman. You are encouraged to come and tell them how you feel about this wonderful landing being destroyed due to the silting.
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I would love to, but I’ll be out of town. It’s truly a shame that the two public ramps that access that vast area both are limited due to low water and/or low tressels and so many people go there. You need to get a couple boats in the background slinging mud during the interview. I’d be there with bells on if I wasn’t already obligated.
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Sellsfish, I would also try and have a discussion with the Army Corps of Engineers and see if there is a long term solution. Could a barrier wall strategically placed keep the silt from flowing into the area? I have quit using that landing for that reason. Maybe interviewing a police officer that patrols the area and see what he has to say. Specifically, has there been any altercations from aggravated people and are there fewer boaters using the landing now. I know your not going to catch any crabs of the dock in the mud.
quote:Originally posted by penfishn
around every bend theres the promise of a treasure that can only be caught and seen in a blink.. and in your minds eye..and sometimes if youre lucky..in a picture..its there for just a minute...then gone..but hopefully once youve seen it it will remain in your heart forever. Theres nothing like the "Smell" and sounds of the creek. Its not just one thing that makes it familiar..its all of it.
I did not mean to point a finger at the tugs exclusively…but they do contribute to the problem. My apologies to Tugted.
The biggest issue is the total lack of maintenance. It has needed dredging for many years. I’ve been using this landing for over 20 years and know this to be true. It has gotten progressively worse and the approach to the landing would continue to silt due to the natural ebb and flow of the tides even if there were no large boat traffic in the river at all.
Like others have asked, “Why bother building a nice boat landing without providing for consistent maintenance?”
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
You might have some luck getting Fire/Rescue help because they can’t launch or recover at that ramp also. This would be a problem on their response time!
Has anyone spoken with the County??? There is serious time and money involved just getting the permit application filled out. Then you have to find a suitable place to dump the material. All before you spend a ton of money on the actual dredging. As a coastal/underwater engineer I have done countless dredging surveys and designs. I would be happy to help out. Either way, it comes down to permitting and money. After that you have to find out where you can dump the material.
From my previous experience just down river at the submarine prototype site, I agree that the silting pattern has changed since the barges started going upriver more frequently. The build up across from wharf A was significant after just two years of a dredging. The corp maintains the channel and it would be simple physically to add this section to the normal dredging in the area. The spoils go right onto the island across from snow pointe. Does anyone know someone who works for the corp of engineers?
Great idea Paul. I can’t make it Sunday due to work, but will be willing to help out. i think i have only used bushy park 3 times this year. Have been going to Rivers Edge.
please send Emails to anyone in the media you can think of. Tommy Braswell and Bo Peterson from the P&C, 2,4,5 and any other local media. Let’s get it rolling! I will be at the landing with one of my crabbers and the reporter at 10 am tomorrow.
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
All of you that use the saltwater landings at Bushy should try your best to be there. If there is even a little show of force it could be very helpful to our cause.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
From my previous experience just down river at the submarine prototype site, I agree that the silting pattern has changed since the barges started going upriver more frequently. The build up across from wharf A was significant after just two years of a dredging. The corp maintains the channel and it would be simple physically to add this section to the normal dredging in the area. The spoils go right onto the island across from snow pointe. Does anyone know someone who works for the corp of engineers?
They haven't dredged above the BP dock since Nucor opened. it was marked by doing surveys of water depth. the spoil from bushy park would require a good bit of pumping down river to the closest dump area.
Met with the reporter this morning, went well. Lou and another boater were there with pics and info. Now it will be a wait and see as the reporter builds a story and talks to Nucor, Army Corps, Berkeley county officals, and political leaders to see how we fix this. Please post any pictures on this thread of boats stranded on the flat at bushy park as the reporter will be following this thread. Thanks for coming today
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
