Monday, October 05, 2009
2009-10-06, tomorrow,, Tuesday, Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
Due to an inclement weather report this trip is cancelled. Hope to see you next week. Thanks, Elmer
Thursday, October 01, 2009
2009-10-01 Souhtwest Creek, Camp Lejejne, NC
2009-10-01 Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
This picture demonstrates how easy it is to dislodge a very large mass of alligatorweed and get it out into the current.
The clam rake was placed in the center of this mass and gently pulled out into the current where nature takes over to transport it down stream.
It took about one minute to do this.This one was so easy as it was a fresh arrival. If it were left there to grow it would become entwined around everything by its rapid growth.
Left alone it would have doubled in size in three weeks!
Don't be misled by the open patch of water in the center. Every bit of alligatorweed you see came out into the current on that one purchase by the one clam rake. It all hung together.
The dead alligator weed you see is dead on the surface only. The stems below are alive and growing again, as whoever did this spraying used a contact only spray and not a systemic spray. This is way upstream above our lunch stop.
This mass is sure to be held up again and again on over hanging branches dipping down into to the water or on old dead cypress trees both of which should not be there to snare this floating alligatorweed and should be removed.
We go back next Tuesday, 2009-10-06. We will meet at the Food Lion parking lot at 9:00 AM opposite the main gate to the Air Base on RTE 17 south of Jacksonville.
Please come and join us if only to observe or to participate if you wish. Stay as long as you like and leave anytime you wish.
It is a lovely creek to paddle and explore. The weather is sunny in the low eighties. We wiil be off the water by 3:00.
This picture demonstrates how easy it is to dislodge a very large mass of alligatorweed and get it out into the current.
The clam rake was placed in the center of this mass and gently pulled out into the current where nature takes over to transport it down stream.
It took about one minute to do this.This one was so easy as it was a fresh arrival. If it were left there to grow it would become entwined around everything by its rapid growth.
Left alone it would have doubled in size in three weeks!
Don't be misled by the open patch of water in the center. Every bit of alligatorweed you see came out into the current on that one purchase by the one clam rake. It all hung together.
The dead alligator weed you see is dead on the surface only. The stems below are alive and growing again, as whoever did this spraying used a contact only spray and not a systemic spray. This is way upstream above our lunch stop.
This mass is sure to be held up again and again on over hanging branches dipping down into to the water or on old dead cypress trees both of which should not be there to snare this floating alligatorweed and should be removed.
We go back next Tuesday, 2009-10-06. We will meet at the Food Lion parking lot at 9:00 AM opposite the main gate to the Air Base on RTE 17 south of Jacksonville.
Please come and join us if only to observe or to participate if you wish. Stay as long as you like and leave anytime you wish.
It is a lovely creek to paddle and explore. The weather is sunny in the low eighties. We wiil be off the water by 3:00.
Thanks, Elmer
Elmer Eddy
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
Waterway Stewards
207 Spann Road, Trenton, NC, 28585
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
"If alligatorweed is not there, it cannot grow there!"
Saturday, September 26, 2009
09-30-09, this Wednesday, Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
The last day of September is greeting us with a sunny day with lows in the upper fifties..
The old railroad bridge is now cleared of all foreign, invasive, alligatorweed
which has been hung up on the old railroad pilings left in the river under the bridge..
We intend to keep it that way!
We meet at the Food Lion parking lot on Route 17 south of Jacksonville at 9:00 AM.
This is across 17 from the main gate to the Air Base.
We will be off the water by 3:00. Should be a beautiful day on the water!
All are welcome to join us. You can observe only or you can play with us. Yes, it is
play to us, like floating a stick or bottle downstream as a kid. You can play with us for
as long as you like and take off any time to paddle and explore on your own.
Come join us if you can. Canoes, kayaks, and motor boats are all welcome.Thanks, Elmer
Waterway Stewards
ELMER EDDY
elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
STEWARDS OF THE WHITE OAK RIVER BASIN
WWW.WHITEOAKSTEWARDS.ORG on the web
910-389-4588
The old railroad bridge is now cleared of all foreign, invasive, alligatorweed
which has been hung up on the old railroad pilings left in the river under the bridge..
We intend to keep it that way!
We meet at the Food Lion parking lot on Route 17 south of Jacksonville at 9:00 AM.
This is across 17 from the main gate to the Air Base.
We will be off the water by 3:00. Should be a beautiful day on the water!
All are welcome to join us. You can observe only or you can play with us. Yes, it is
play to us, like floating a stick or bottle downstream as a kid. You can play with us for
as long as you like and take off any time to paddle and explore on your own.
Come join us if you can. Canoes, kayaks, and motor boats are all welcome.Thanks, Elmer
Waterway Stewards
ELMER EDDY
elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
STEWARDS OF THE WHITE OAK RIVER BASIN
WWW.WHITEOAKSTEWARDS.ORG on the web
910-389-4588
Friday, September 11, 2009
2009-09-08 Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
2009-09-08 Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
The battle on how to control Alligatorweed goes on!
The battle on how to control Alligatorweed goes on!
This trip was after the good prolonged tropical rains we received. Jacksonville
was reported at 4.7 inches. Jaclsonville City limits border this creek
Today we intended to clear out the west smaller channel which takes off right
below the bridge as this can only be done with good high water.
When we arrived we observed the rush of high water had lifted 80 % of what
was tied up on the bridge pilings and the old pilings left in the water.
So, on seeing this, we decided to help nature and finish what the high water
had done and finish clearing all alligatorweed from the bridge pilings, both
existing and the old ones that were cutoff at water level. We thought that
this would only take us a few hours at most!
But, alas, it took us all day just to get the east side cleared.
This is one completely cleared opening.
was reported at 4.7 inches. Jaclsonville City limits border this creek
Today we intended to clear out the west smaller channel which takes off right
below the bridge as this can only be done with good high water.
When we arrived we observed the rush of high water had lifted 80 % of what
was tied up on the bridge pilings and the old pilings left in the water.
So, on seeing this, we decided to help nature and finish what the high water
had done and finish clearing all alligatorweed from the bridge pilings, both
existing and the old ones that were cutoff at water level. We thought that
this would only take us a few hours at most!
But, alas, it took us all day just to get the east side cleared.
This is one completely cleared opening.
Here is another. All of them were cleared on the west side only. We took before
and after pictures. Unfortunately, the "before" pictures were blurred and
Ed Gruca would not publish them. I have saved them if anyone wants to see them.
and after pictures. Unfortunately, the "before" pictures were blurred and
Ed Gruca would not publish them. I have saved them if anyone wants to see them.
These are examples of what we had to pull off the front face of the new pilings
and up and over the numerous old pilings
and up and over the numerous old pilings
This is more of the same.
This was a very difficult job. We could not sit upright in the canoe due to the high water.
The long stems and roots went down way below the top of the old pilings. They were
twisted and interwoven and hung together in a very heavy mass.
As you can see they are very much alive. They survived Brian Wheat's spraying and the
other earlier heavy spraying by parties unknown.
Some of it could even be new coming from upstream. We are sure tons more of it
from upstream was flushed through the bridge too by the extremely high water.
We will explore next week below the bridge and see what has happened to all of that.
Unfortunately again, Brian did not spray what is growing on land on the east end of the
bridge or anywhere else. Instead, his group sprayed what was floating and hung up in
the kill zone all the way down below the bridge.
Why, Brian? It would have died down there anyway! We need to work together, Brian!
What you wasted down there could have killed all alligatorweed growing on land in the
entire creek!
Let's get together Brian and work together like we used to do and get this job done! Elmer
While we are here this is as good a time as any to get this controversial issue settled.
This is the second time we have cleared all alligatorweed hung up on these old pilings.
If they are left there again on the next bridge replacement it will create a virtual dam!
So why wait until then to replace them? They never should have been left there in the
first place!
They violate every State and Federal law on the books for navigable waters. And, by
definition Southwest Creek is a navigable body of water.
We had been working with Mr. William Rogers, Head Environmentalist for Camp Lejeune,
and had obtained a reasonable quote from a licensed approved contractor to do the job.
When this controversy arose Mr. Rogers felt he needed the approval of the "experts" before
spending government money. As Brian Wheat was the apparent leader of the "experts" I
phoned Brian and he agreed with me on the removal and said he would call Mr. Rogers
Monday and tell him so.
Brian became miffed at me because of an e-mail I had written over the weekend and
never called and continues to refuse to do so even though he knows these pilings should
be removed if we are ever going to control the rapid growth of alligatorweed in this creek.
I then went directly to the Coast Guard. They agreed they never should have been left there.
But, as there is no commercial navigation on Southwest Creek and no one has complained
about their presence they don't feel there is sufficient cause to remove them now.
We also think a strict and proper interpretation of the federal and state laws applying to
noxious, invasive, imported foreign, aquatic weeds requires their removal.
We think Wildlife will agree with this and am asking Gordon Myers by copy of this e-mail to
come forth and express their concern about their presence here which has allowed alligatorweed
to flourish here and double in volume every two to three weeks. They thus create a perfect nursery
for alligatorweed to do just this.
This has grown to the point of a solid blanket not only here at the bridge but up and down the
entire creek again and again. This has cut off the sunlight necessary for bream to propagate and
destroyed the opportunity to fly fish and fish any way in these places.
There are always some Marines fishing here at the bridge. They can fish on the down-water side of the bridge
only as they cannot get their lines in the water on the upstream side. (Until now, that is.)
Hopefully, all concerned will come forth and ask the Coast Guard to remove these pilings. Elmer
Elmer Eddy
bridge or anywhere else. Instead, his group sprayed what was floating and hung up in
the kill zone all the way down below the bridge.
Why, Brian? It would have died down there anyway! We need to work together, Brian!
What you wasted down there could have killed all alligatorweed growing on land in the
entire creek!
Let's get together Brian and work together like we used to do and get this job done! Elmer
While we are here this is as good a time as any to get this controversial issue settled.
This is the second time we have cleared all alligatorweed hung up on these old pilings.
If they are left there again on the next bridge replacement it will create a virtual dam!
So why wait until then to replace them? They never should have been left there in the
first place!
They violate every State and Federal law on the books for navigable waters. And, by
definition Southwest Creek is a navigable body of water.
We had been working with Mr. William Rogers, Head Environmentalist for Camp Lejeune,
and had obtained a reasonable quote from a licensed approved contractor to do the job.
When this controversy arose Mr. Rogers felt he needed the approval of the "experts" before
spending government money. As Brian Wheat was the apparent leader of the "experts" I
phoned Brian and he agreed with me on the removal and said he would call Mr. Rogers
Monday and tell him so.
Brian became miffed at me because of an e-mail I had written over the weekend and
never called and continues to refuse to do so even though he knows these pilings should
be removed if we are ever going to control the rapid growth of alligatorweed in this creek.
I then went directly to the Coast Guard. They agreed they never should have been left there.
But, as there is no commercial navigation on Southwest Creek and no one has complained
about their presence they don't feel there is sufficient cause to remove them now.
We also think a strict and proper interpretation of the federal and state laws applying to
noxious, invasive, imported foreign, aquatic weeds requires their removal.
We think Wildlife will agree with this and am asking Gordon Myers by copy of this e-mail to
come forth and express their concern about their presence here which has allowed alligatorweed
to flourish here and double in volume every two to three weeks. They thus create a perfect nursery
for alligatorweed to do just this.
This has grown to the point of a solid blanket not only here at the bridge but up and down the
entire creek again and again. This has cut off the sunlight necessary for bream to propagate and
destroyed the opportunity to fly fish and fish any way in these places.
There are always some Marines fishing here at the bridge. They can fish on the down-water side of the bridge
only as they cannot get their lines in the water on the upstream side. (Until now, that is.)
Hopefully, all concerned will come forth and ask the Coast Guard to remove these pilings. Elmer
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
Waterway Stewards
207 Spann Road, Trenton, NC, 28585
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
"If alligatorweed is not there it cannot sprout and grow there!"
Sunday, September 06, 2009
2009-08-12, 14,15,16, Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeue, NC.
2009-08-12,14,15,16 Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
Earlier some people had sprayed huge sections heavily, and unevenly with a chemical that
apparently was a contact only mix. It killed down to the surface of the water only. So it was
not a systematic mix. Had it been so it would have killed the under water growth and roots too.
What continued to live under water very quickly put out new growth above water and we
again had solid green alligator weed most everywhere. Their spraying did reduce the enormous
volume of alligatorweed above water wherever it was applied.
Brian Wheat and others sprayed with their systemic spray on August 12. They began below
Maple Landing. This is the first sighting this year of alligatorweed below Maple Landing. We
had several good rains earlier and these must have pushed the salter water kill zone downstream
into this area.
On the 14th, 15th and 16th we had heavy, prolonged rains over the Southwest Creek watershed.
The combination of these three things, the two sprayings and huge volume of fresh water has left
hodge-podge groups of alliagtor weed up and down the river. Some groups are still bright green and
thriving. Some are partially killed and others are just plain gone. These last ones are the best ones.
These last ones are gone completly from sight as all alligatorweed in this creek is killed when it is
transported by the river current into the kill zone. A good indication of where the kill zone normally
is to go by the Inland/Coastal water license signs installed by Wildlife. This is what they apparently
consider to be the dividing line between salt and fresh water.
Ed Gruca, couldn't pass up taking a picture of these wild hibiscus or marshmallow. They were beautiful
as we came down into the marshes..
This is what we found at the railroad bridge. This was solid alligatorweed 50 to
60 feet upstream from the bridge. The prolonged heavy rains of the 13th, 14th
and 15th lifted it up and forced it downstream over and around the old pilings
that had been holding it up at the bridge. Tons of it went downstream to its death.
Please do not forget that this is the area that we had completely cleaned of all
alligatorweed back in the winter!
This is where we launch our canoes and kayaks at the Railroad Bridge. It is still
here and will remain so until Brian Wheat and this crew spray it. This is so because
it is not floating on the water but growing on land. There are several other spots
up and down the stream where it is growing on land and must be sprayed.
All of these have not been touched by any spraying.
This one shows damage from spraying.
Same here too. Also it may be that the kill zone is coming into play
Ditto again.
A little further downstream, the color is changing, is this the beginning of the kill?
On the 14th, 15th and 16th we had heavy, prolonged rains over the Southwest Creek watershed.
hodge-podge groups of alliagtor weed up and down the river. Some groups are still bright green and
thriving. Some are partially killed and others are just plain gone. These last ones are the best ones.
These last ones are gone completly from sight as all alligatorweed in this creek is killed when it is
transported by the river current into the kill zone. A good indication of where the kill zone normally
is to go by the Inland/Coastal water license signs installed by Wildlife. This is what they apparently
consider to be the dividing line between salt and fresh water.
Ed Gruca, couldn't pass up taking a picture of these wild hibiscus or marshmallow. They were beautiful
as we came down into the marshes..
This is what we found at the railroad bridge. This was solid alligatorweed 50 to
60 feet upstream from the bridge. The prolonged heavy rains of the 13th, 14th
and 15th lifted it up and forced it downstream over and around the old pilings
that had been holding it up at the bridge. Tons of it went downstream to its death.
Please do not forget that this is the area that we had completely cleaned of all
alligatorweed back in the winter!
This is where we launch our canoes and kayaks at the Railroad Bridge. It is still
here and will remain so until Brian Wheat and this crew spray it. This is so because
it is not floating on the water but growing on land. There are several other spots
up and down the stream where it is growing on land and must be sprayed.
Ninety percent of the alligatoreed is gone! This is on the east side of the island.
Not so lucky on the westside. We estimate 70% has gone downstream. Which is
wonderful!
wonderful!
This is looking upstream from the east side of the bridge.
This is looking downstream from the RR bridge, that bush on the right is on
the island in the middle of the bridge. Pretty clean river, isn't it?
the island in the middle of the bridge. Pretty clean river, isn't it?
Here we are looking upstream through the bridge on the east side.
This is looking upstream through the bridge on the west side.
A bright green thriving patch untouched by any spraying downstream of the bridge.
It must have been pushed through the bridge from upstream by the high strong
current after all spraying had been done. Remember, Brian and his group ran out of
insecticide a short distance above the bridge.
It must have been pushed through the bridge from upstream by the high strong
current after all spraying had been done. Remember, Brian and his group ran out of
insecticide a short distance above the bridge.
Ditto to the above further downstream
And more of the same!
Another loavely patch.
And still more. All that has to be done to these is to loosen them from what ever
it is that is holding them up and let the current take them down to their death.
it is that is holding them up and let the current take them down to their death.
Assbout 1/2 of this one got sprayed.
We are now below both concrete barriers. We believe the kill zone begins in the area
between the two barrier markers. This is only 10% of what was here.
between the two barrier markers. This is only 10% of what was here.
This little patch is below Maple Landing. It wasn't here when Brian and his group sprayed.
If it had been here then it would be dead and nonexistent, not bright green.
If it had been here then it would be dead and nonexistent, not bright green.
We pulled this little patch off its hang up. We are sure it no longer exists now.
We turned around the large island here and paddled back upstream to our take out
at the first concrete barrier. We encountered this bright green healthy patch right away
on our right shore line. We are sure that it will be killed when the river returns to its
more normal level and salinity in this area.
at the first concrete barrier. We encountered this bright green healthy patch right away
on our right shore line. We are sure that it will be killed when the river returns to its
more normal level and salinity in this area.
Anther similar patch further upstream.
And still another.
We reached our takeout point at the first concrete barrier well ahead of our expected
arrival time. We had a great trip and most enjoyable paddle.
We are also now more convinced than ever that if we all coordinate our efforts we can get
this noxious, invasive, imported alligatorweed under our complete control this year.
arrival time. We had a great trip and most enjoyable paddle.
We are also now more convinced than ever that if we all coordinate our efforts we can get
this noxious, invasive, imported alligatorweed under our complete control this year.
Here are our recommendations on how to accomplish this.
We base these recommendations on the premise that it it is not there it cannot perform
We base these recommendations on the premise that it it is not there it cannot perform
its rapid growth there as it does not exist there!
We must take advantage of our natural winter kill of all growth above water and land.
This is our enemy's weakest state of existence. This is when we should be launching our
strongest attacks.
(It is also a time when spraying is not practical because there is nothing above water to spray!)
This winter time activity is to loosen and free the floating alliagtorweed to be carried downsream
to salt water.
Our attack at this time should be based on three other natural forces we are blessed with.
These are winds and rains and the resulting increased volume and strength of the river current.
(Use of the winds is more important in the lower wide open portions of the river. It is very
importent not to be freeing snagged alligatorweed when the wind is blowing it back uspstream!)
We must take advantage of our natural winter kill of all growth above water and land.
This is our enemy's weakest state of existence. This is when we should be launching our
strongest attacks.
(It is also a time when spraying is not practical because there is nothing above water to spray!)
This winter time activity is to loosen and free the floating alliagtorweed to be carried downsream
to salt water.
Our attack at this time should be based on three other natural forces we are blessed with.
These are winds and rains and the resulting increased volume and strength of the river current.
(Use of the winds is more important in the lower wide open portions of the river. It is very
importent not to be freeing snagged alligatorweed when the wind is blowing it back uspstream!)
This year, right now, we recommend we not wait for the first freezing kill. We say this because of
the spraying that has been done has reduced the very heavy mass of above water growth and it
has not had time to grow back yet.
Depending on the number of people we have we can break up into several groups. One could start at
Route 17 and work downstream. (The best access is to put in at the first brdge below 17 and paddle
up to it.)
In the process of freeing the alligatorweed we should remove as much as possible of what ever it was
that was holding it up to prevent future snags at the same spot.
The next group could start at the Railroad Bridge and begin working upstream. Another group downstream.
At this time of year each group should have a licensed spray person with them to spray what ever could not
be dislodged including whatever is found growing on land. These licensed spray people wil not be necesaary
during the winter.
With total coordination and cooperation of all and especially those with motor boats it would be entirely
possible to have this entire section of Southwest Creek in the main channels free of all alligatorweed before
the first frost.
the spraying that has been done has reduced the very heavy mass of above water growth and it
has not had time to grow back yet.
Depending on the number of people we have we can break up into several groups. One could start at
Route 17 and work downstream. (The best access is to put in at the first brdge below 17 and paddle
up to it.)
In the process of freeing the alligatorweed we should remove as much as possible of what ever it was
that was holding it up to prevent future snags at the same spot.
The next group could start at the Railroad Bridge and begin working upstream. Another group downstream.
At this time of year each group should have a licensed spray person with them to spray what ever could not
be dislodged including whatever is found growing on land. These licensed spray people wil not be necesaary
during the winter.
With total coordination and cooperation of all and especially those with motor boats it would be entirely
possible to have this entire section of Southwest Creek in the main channels free of all alligatorweed before
the first frost.
The necessary tools are light garden rakes, light garden cultivators with prongs, clam rakes work good, and
grapple hooks on a rope are excellent. Even your paddle works good.
This a combination of using natures natural forses and chemical sprays to reach the goal we all are striving for.
Let's make it work now!
Southwest Creek is a navigable stream State and Federal Laws make Navigable Waters "OURS". Let's take this
lovely stream back from this foreign invader who has taken it over and ruined our paddling, fishing and navigation
and much more.
This is being sent to all Stewards of Our Waterways, The New River Round Table, The New River Foundation,
White Oak-New River Keeper Alliance.The North Carolina Coastal Federation. North Carolina Wildlife,
The Tideland News, The Daily News, Coastal Carolina Canoe and Kayak Club, Coastal Carolina Kayakers,
Twin Rivers Paddle Club, Carolina Canoe Club, Onslw County Commissioners, City of Jacksonville,
Envronmental Management Division, Camp Lejeune, NC,
grapple hooks on a rope are excellent. Even your paddle works good.
This a combination of using natures natural forses and chemical sprays to reach the goal we all are striving for.
Let's make it work now!
Southwest Creek is a navigable stream State and Federal Laws make Navigable Waters "OURS". Let's take this
lovely stream back from this foreign invader who has taken it over and ruined our paddling, fishing and navigation
and much more.
This is being sent to all Stewards of Our Waterways, The New River Round Table, The New River Foundation,
White Oak-New River Keeper Alliance.The North Carolina Coastal Federation. North Carolina Wildlife,
The Tideland News, The Daily News, Coastal Carolina Canoe and Kayak Club, Coastal Carolina Kayakers,
Twin Rivers Paddle Club, Carolina Canoe Club, Onslw County Commissioners, City of Jacksonville,
Envronmental Management Division, Camp Lejeune, NC,
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
Stewards of Our Waterways
207 Spann Rd, Trenton, NC. 28585
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
Alligatorweed is worse than litter, it grows! IT IS A FOREIGN INVADER!
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
Stewards of Our Waterways
207 Spann Rd, Trenton, NC. 28585
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
Alligatorweed is worse than litter, it grows! IT IS A FOREIGN INVADER!
2009-09-01, Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
2009-09-01 Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC.
Not comletely but we paddled it today and had a most enjoyable paddle and saw new
channels we never could paddle before.
Come and take todays trip with us. Then paddle it yourself and enjoy it yourself as we did.
This is our put-in at the first brdge below Rte 17 on the Air Base.
All pictures are by Ed Gruca. This is a lovely wild flower. Who knows what it is?
Very little aliigatorweed up here. We moved all we could downstream. Some
we missed has grown and multiplied.
we missed has grown and multiplied.
Which way are we going?
Marshmallows when we got to the marshes.
Godzilla, the alligator, is usually right around the corner but not today.
An osprey's nest, some marshmallows and some alligatorweed.
At the railroad bridge already. The alligatorweed has been reduced about 90 %
in volume by both spraying and by high water and strong currents which picked
it up off the old submerged pilings and moved it on downstream.
It didn't get is all! Can you help move this through the bridge so it can continue
on down to its death in salt water?
on down to its death in salt water?
A little more left behind.
And still more.
Free paddling in this opening. That is Harry James of Jacksonville.
This is the largest patch left behind on the west side.
This is on the east side.
Because we could, everybody wanted to go down the smaller channel to the right
below the bridge. So we did.
We took the cut through to Mill Run and went down that channel and found ourselves at Maple Landing.
We ate lunch here.
Todays group. L/R Harry James of Jacksonville, Scott Brown of Morehead City,
Jim Murray of Morehead City, Jim Neidermeyer of Hubert, Elmer Eddy from Jones
County, and our photographer from Emerald Isle, whom we have to thank for
these lovely pictures, Ed Gruca.
We very much enjoyed this paddle. We recommend it highly.
I cannot paddle this week. If any of you wish to do a tri of you own and want to
get it out to every one send me you plans and I will notify all. Thanks,
below the bridge. So we did.
Very pretty marshmallows.
This channel had been spayed too. We were amazed at how clear it was.
It got bigger fast.
type here -Neverforget911 9/6/09 7:01 PM 
We ate lunch here.
Signs at Maple Landing. The bottom one is our sign made possible by The American
Canoe Association and LL Bean.
Todays group. L/R Harry James of Jacksonville, Scott Brown of Morehead City,
Jim Murray of Morehead City, Jim Neidermeyer of Hubert, Elmer Eddy from Jones
County, and our photographer from Emerald Isle, whom we have to thank for
these lovely pictures, Ed Gruca.
Maple Landing. Ed's lunch box, just where he left it!
It got windy when we hit the wideopen mouth of Southwest Creek.
The marina was a welcome sight!.
He welcomed us in.
We very much enjoyed this paddle. We recommend it highly.
I cannot paddle this week. If any of you wish to do a tri of you own and want to
get it out to every one send me you plans and I will notify all. Thanks,
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
Waterway Stewards
207 Spann Road, Trenton, NC, 28585
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
Monday, July 27, 2009
2009-07-11, Brock Mill Pond, Trenton, NC
2009-07-11 Brock Mill Pond Trenton, NC
This is the story of our trip on this most unusual and very enjoyable paddle. Anyone can drop the canoes and kayaks in at the parking area at the dam and experience what we saw today.
Our put-in was at the Fairgrounds in Trenton. NC. Anyone can put-in here too.
The west end of the Pond.
Approaching the dam
That is the old mill house.
Again closer up.
The west side in front of the dam. The lake sureface is about 8 inches below
the top of the dam.
the top of the dam.
Ed Gruca in his long green kayak with alligator jaws painted on front.
A beautiful pond. You can put in right of Rte 58 at the Mill House.
Same shot closer up.
How's this for beauty!
Heading upstream on Crooked Run.
How's this for a Bell Bottom Cypress!
That's Elmer
We think there is a nut inside them.
Further up Crooked Run
Tall trees, mostly cypress.
Duck weed on the water surface.
A beaver stick.
Duck weed completly covers the surface.
Wen the water rises this duck weed will be washed over the dam.
I is duck weed not snow!
Somebodys nest.
Crooked Run is getting narrower.
Young cypress.
Lunch stop.
Narower and narrower but plenty deep.
Which way to go?
It is as veritible maze!
This was the end of the road for us today. We had to turn around and go back.
Please notice there is no duck weed here.
We are upstream far enough to get out of it.
Please notice there is no duck weed here.
We are upstream far enough to get out of it.
Now we are turned around and going back downstream
We obviously did not cme by this on the way up.
So we must be going back by another route.
We were here going up.
And here.
This was an amazing trip. We participated in the Heritage Day Celebration
of Jones County. We joined the parade which lasted about one hour and then
paddled the Brocks Mill Pond and the creek which is Crooked Run.
Trenton and Jones County should clear out Crooked Run as far as possible upstream.
It would make an excellent paddle trail.
We have no idea what the blown down trees obstructing paddling are. We believe we
can have several more miles of upstream paddling if they were cut out.
Anyone want to help us do this?
of Jones County. We joined the parade which lasted about one hour and then
paddled the Brocks Mill Pond and the creek which is Crooked Run.
Trenton and Jones County should clear out Crooked Run as far as possible upstream.
It would make an excellent paddle trail.
We have no idea what the blown down trees obstructing paddling are. We believe we
can have several more miles of upstream paddling if they were cut out.
Anyone want to help us do this?
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
101 River Reach Drive West,
Swansboro, NC. 28584
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
101 River Reach Drive West,
Swansboro, NC. 28584
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
2009-06-11 Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
2009-06-09, Southwest Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC
With time our waterways will become paved with this kind of stuff. I know all of you receiving this e-mail do not litter but we can do more to encourage others to stop littering. If we do not do this we can expect our waterways, (our playing fields), to continue to be littered by discarded trash along our highways and off our bridges as well as by boaters and fishermen and hunters.
This is a picture I took in my office just to make sure my camera was working and ready for the day's paddling. That small milk bottle must be over 50 years old. It has three cent return by the State of North Carolina molded on the glass! The other bottle had live clams in it. You can see by the size of the shells they had grown too large to ever get out of this bottle. It was as narrow neck whiskey bottle.
We realize we have been concentrating on alligatorweed since last November 26 when we discovered large growths of it could be dislodged and allowed to float downstream to saltwater where it dies. We were elated with this discovery and we thought everyone else would be too.
With time our waterways will become paved with this kind of stuff. I know all of you receiving this e-mail do not litter but we can do more to encourage others to stop littering. If we do not do this we can expect our waterways, (our playing fields), to continue to be littered by discarded trash along our highways and off our bridges as well as by boaters and fishermen and hunters.
This is a picture I took in my office just to make sure my camera was working and ready for the day's paddling. That small milk bottle must be over 50 years old. It has three cent return by the State of North Carolina molded on the glass! The other bottle had live clams in it. You can see by the size of the shells they had grown too large to ever get out of this bottle. It was as narrow neck whiskey bottle.
We realize we have been concentrating on alligatorweed since last November 26 when we discovered large growths of it could be dislodged and allowed to float downstream to saltwater where it dies. We were elated with this discovery and we thought everyone else would be too.
Jim Niedermeyer and Elmer Eddy had hoped to get all floating alligator weed
below the trestle down into the kill zone today. We put in at the trestle and
immediately began freeing the floating mats of weed from what ever was holding
them up.
Due to lack of rain the current was very weak so the mats moved very slowly.
Never the less, we had them all freed down to the first concrete barrier on the
left downstream. This is the beginning of the kill zone. We ate lunch here.
After lunch a fairly strong southerly wind came up. We saw immediately this was
not the time to be trying to float the mats downstream. The combined effect of
the slow current, the strong southerly breeze and the incoming tide actually
moved the freed mats back upstream!
So, we stopped freeing the mats and paddled downstream to Maple Landing.
below the trestle down into the kill zone today. We put in at the trestle and
immediately began freeing the floating mats of weed from what ever was holding
them up.
Due to lack of rain the current was very weak so the mats moved very slowly.
Never the less, we had them all freed down to the first concrete barrier on the
left downstream. This is the beginning of the kill zone. We ate lunch here.
After lunch a fairly strong southerly wind came up. We saw immediately this was
not the time to be trying to float the mats downstream. The combined effect of
the slow current, the strong southerly breeze and the incoming tide actually
moved the freed mats back upstream!
So, we stopped freeing the mats and paddled downstream to Maple Landing.
This picture is of one of the largest mats we ever freed in one entwined mass.
You can see the white crab pot float on it just left of center. It will be interesting
to see if it gets past Maple Landing. None ever has before.
The picture below shows alligatorweed beginning to deteriorate in the kill zone.
to see if it gets past Maple Landing. None ever has before.
The picture below shows alligatorweed beginning to deteriorate in the kill zone.
As we paddled downstream we noticed the mats of weed lacked blooms and were
lower growing and appearing sickly. The kill zone is sure death to this very noxious,
invasive foreign weed.
If those who are opposing what we are doing had worked with us instead, there
would be no floating alligatorweed in Southwest Creek main channels today.
The rains will come, the tide and the wind will change but our opponents stick to
their old unsuccessful methods. Had their methods been successful all this growth would not
be present as it is. They seem to completely ignore the fact that if it is not there it cannot grow there!
We have already cleared from Rte 17 down to where the tides come into play. And we have escorted tons of it down into the kill zone. None of it has lived past Maple Landing!
With time and natures help we will get it all down there. With the help of those opposing us we could do it in very short order. Our trips are always open to all to join us. Motor boaters could speed up this process rapidly.
Not a single one of those opposing what we are doing has ever showed up to see what we are doing. Why?
To us Alligatorweed is just another kind if litter and trash. It is however, the very worst kind. That is why we are concentrating on it. It grows and grows and grows and doubles in mass in a very few weeks.
In the past every bit of alligatorweed left in the river has become a perfect nursery for it to grow and prosper. And believe me, it has.
Sorry, no trip planned for this week. I have personal and family matters to attend to. Don't let this stop you.
Plan a trip to do whatever you want and wherever you want to paddle. I can get it out to all if you send it to me. Elmer
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
101 River Reach Drive West,
Swansboro, NC. 28584
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
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