Commodore Corner

 

July 2008

 

Greetings Fellow Lake Heron Sailors:

 

Mid summer has arrived and the water has returned to Lake Heron. During most of May and June, the water level rose 2 to 3 ft each week and over the 4th of July weekend, the lake leveled out at about 7171.1 ft, with 300 to 400 cfs still coming in. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that the maximum lake level will be about 7174 ft in July, with a low level at the end of December of about 7164 ft, which will be about 18 ft higher than we started with at the beginning of 2008. This is all good news for the NMSC and will save lots of work in the fall for winterization of the marina.

 

It’s great to meet the new members that have joined this year and see long time members return to the lake, some who haven’t launched their boats since the low water days of 2003. Sailing in June seemed exceptional, and we had several excellent afternoon and evening sails; hope you did too.

 

The gangway to the marina was reinstalled in June for the first time since circa 2003. The easier access to the marina has been welcomed by all, even though there is a bit of a walk from the point down to the south saddle. The dock carts are once again loitering around the point and have been pressed back into welcome service. Also back in service this season is the pump-out.

 

Several marina upgrade projects are continuing this summer. The knee braces and winch bases have been installed on B dock, and new mid-lateral anchors are planned to be installed to provide additional stability for B and C docks. New floats are planned to be installed on B dock, and upgrades for C dock are also planned.

 

At the July 5th meeting, the membership voted to obtain a hand-held marine VHF radio for docksitters to use when roaming the docks. We’re also looking into obtaining a hand sanitizer dispenser for the pavilion and possibly some other upgrades.

 

Thanks to those members who have volunteered to help with work parties; your help at future work parties will be appreciated and will greatly benefit the marina. Thanks again to the NMSC members who have volunteered to serve on the board and who have also volunteered to serve as chairmen of the standing committees. If you have any ideas in support of any of the committees, please contact me or the following committee chairmen.

 

Membership and Slip Committee                             Rich Strassia

Safety Awareness and Seamanship             John Davey

Race Committee                                                     Pat Byrnes

Program and Social Committee                             Susan and Ernie Newman

Spinnaker Sheet editor                                       Giles Pennington

Facilities Maintenance Committee                 Clif Meyer and Mack Jordan

Librarian                                                                     Ed Knop

Heron State Park Advisory Board Member            Pat Byrnes, John Polk

 

Wishing you fair winds and good sailing.

 

-- Rich Koch