Scientific mission: LVMP Water Sampling along with the Battle of WaterLog

8 June, 2013 -  Mark Twain Lake

The vberth hatch screen.   Looking at the dock light at the marina.

We headed up Friday night after work and our Friday evening family dinner.  We wanted to get an early start Saturday.  This picture shows our vBerth hatch screen.  We surrounded the hatch with velcro and Angie sewed the other half of the velcro to a standard window screen cut to size.   This works extremely well even with the wind scoop.   The nice thing is that it rolls up and tucks out of the way beside the matress!

Waiting on Sue to come over from her sailboat.

After breakfast, showers and stowing everything, we kicked back and read while waiting for Sue who was our mentor for the LMVP Water Sampling process.   Note in the picture above.  We found that bungee cording the blue tote gives us a place to set drinks, marine radio, cell phones, snacks and water while under way.   This works beautifully even when sailing heeled over 45 degrees or speeding along at 18 knots under the iron genny.   I store all of the electronics in the tote below when locked up between sails.

Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program (LVMP)





Angie and Sue taking inventory of lab supplies prior to casting off

In a nutshell, at scheduled times of the year, water samples are collected under strict control from 3 different sites on the lake.

The first site is just 30 yards from the Dam.    Water clarity is measured.  It was only 11" at this time due to the extremely high water levels.  There is a lot of mud suspended.

Field Laboratory Procedures...

The water temperature is measured.  GPS coordinates and time of sample are recorded.  Water is filtered through a couple different types of filters with specific volumes filtered.

Sue and Angie talking as we leave the 2nd sample site, silo in background...

Angie piloted us from the second sample site after I hauled up the anchor.  The second site is the point near the Silo island where one of the feeder creeks joins the main channel.



Angie taking us towards the third site.

We stayed on the outboard since the sampling process takes a while to perform and record.

Approaching Point D island, the third site.  Florida pool in distance.

The third sample site was just east of Point D island which is at the entrance to the florida pool, one of the larger areas on the lake.

We record the findings on a LMVP data sheet.

All data is recorded and submitted with the frozen samples.   After we finished the last sample and decided to sail the 8+ miles back to the marina, we ran into a snag.   When I went to haul in the anchor, the infamous Battle of WaterLog began....

The Battle of WaterLog

So at Point D island,  we anchored fairly close to shore since the water levels were up quite a bit from normal pool depth.    We have 30 feet of chain connected to the danforth anchor and 150 feet of rode.

Normally, when the chain is vertical, I can easily pull it free.  You can feel when the boat is no longer tethered.    This time, I couldn't budge it.   We tried motoring forward and pulling free but that did not work.

Even though I no longer workout in the gym after my last injury two years ago, I'm still very strong for a man my age.   I began a laborious battle with the stuck anchor.  Slowly, grip by grip, I was rasing the anchor along with something monstrous.   Sue was pointin gout the large ring of bubbles released by the monster being pulled from the mud.

In 35 feet of water, I raised the anchor.  Twice pausing to cleat the chain and catch my breath.  I know, at this point you are thinking, why didn't I wrap the anchor rode aft to a winch and crank it like a windlass.  Well...testosterone was flowing by this time and I was winning the battle.

I pulled the tree to the surface with the anchor imbedded in the Y of a branch.   I do not know how long the tree was. It was old and water logged.  The water not clear enough for a full view; however, when it broke the surface and again when I held it up as we used the boat hook to pry/twist the anchor free, I saw a trunk at least 8 to 10 inches in diameter.  I did not see how much extended below the bow or was further up.  All I know is that I used to shrug 400lb. barbells in sets of 10 and this felt heavier.   After freeing the anchor and releasing the vanquished monster waterlogged tree back to the deep and I got to beat my chest in an old silverback's victory as Angie piloted Galactica with her muddy bow fresh from battle.  Glory!

Victory!  Glory!   The defeated tree lies within the jaws of Galactica's Anchor!

We decided to set sail and enjoy the midday as we sailed back to BlackJack marina.




Sue relaxing and talking with Angie during our sail back to the marina.

Capt. Douglas, checking sail trim as we sailed back to the marina.

On the way home, we stopped up on the upper lot to check on the refit progress of the 32ft ODay, Wild Goose.  She's looking awesome for a 25 year old lady.

Jeff and Liz relaxing on the newly refitted and bottom painted Goose...

Next post will be the Commodore's Cup Race, June 2013 followed by our adventurous sail with Galactica in new waters:  Lake Oahe, South Dakota!