Trouble at Mokelume Shoals

[deltabighat]

Is anyone out their familiar with the stretch of water just south of the highway 12 bridge at the B&W Resort, in front of Perry's. I was there yesterday in a 24 ft boat maybe drawing 30 inches or so and I had a devil of a time going south on that part of the river. It was so shallow all over the place. I have always heard that the deepest part is on the sides where the dredgers originally worked to build up the levees but I was in 1-2 feet of water on the west side. Yet I have been stuck out in the middle of the channel also. Any hints anyone as I have to go that way again this weekend.

 

[Flutterby]

DBH, what you have been told is a good general rule.....except for on the Moke!!!! The area running from Georgianna Slu down to the San Joaquin River can be tricky. Unless the marinas along the western side dredge, which takes years to get a permit and tons of $$$$, the whole area is very shallow. Try to time your travel at high tide to keep from polishing your prop.

There is an area between the mudflats and the berm which is about 20 ft deep. Find that and you will be fine all the way. Use caution when approaching any of the marinas and try to avoid low tide.

A really wet, stormy winter would help, if EBMUD allows the water to come into the Delta instead of being diverted!

 

[deltabighat]

Thanks Flutterby....by the way, my prop has been polished so often by delta mud that most folks, when they see mine, think I have one of those very expensive stainless steel ones. High tide is definitely the ticket in that area.

DBH

 

[Billgillespie]

I berth at Willowberm and would add to Flutterby's sage advice. When you approach the Lighthouse you can steer toward Willowberm. As you pass the marina steer toward the center of the island to your port and the upcoming reeds south of Moore's. Go between the berms as you pass Moore's steering to port. I put my engines in neutral as I go over the sholl between this cut. Once on the other side you will have plenty of water.

 

[deltabighat]

Thanks for the information. What about the area from the Highwat 12 bridge south to Lighthouse. What side is best for the deepest water?

 

[FlyWright]

When I head south from the bridge, I stay pretty much in the center, but favoring the left bank a bit. When passing Perry's, I continue mid-channel until the river bends left, then I favor the right bank along Delta Shores and Lighthouse. There I slow down and stay west of the tule island and east of Willowberm. I stay in this channel, mid channel, until abeam Korth's where, like billgillespie, I coast between the tules in neutral to the east side. I choose a different spot than bill...I pass just north of the little tule with a beach on the north side...halfway between that tule and the one just north of it. So far, always safe for my 3.5 ft draft, but I always coast out of gear just in case. YMMV