Another Tough Year for Paddling?

S.D. flooding expected along James, Big Sioux rivers
Argus Leader Feb. 17, 2011

A new 90-day outlook from the National Weather Service continues to forecast a high probability of major spring flooding on most of the James and Big Sioux rivers through South Dakota.

Thursday’s report shows an 85 percent to 95 percent chance of major flooding at Columbia, Stratford, Ashton, Huron, Mitchell, Scotland and Yankton.

The probability of major flooding is the same on the Big Sioux River from Watertown to Sioux Falls.

The weather service said the soil moisture content is above normal, especially in the Big Sioux River basin. It said snow depth has decreased in many areas because of warm temperatures this week, but that water content in the remaining snowpack is high.

SF Mayor / Parks Department listening session

I'd encourage SDCKA members to attend this session and share your thoughts with Mayor Huether and Parks Director Kearney.

Mayor, parks director to talk with residents Saturday
Argus Leader Feb. 9, 2011

Sioux Falls’ mayor and director of parks and recreation will talk with the public at an event Saturday morning.

The Listening and Learning Session runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Hy-Vee, 1900 S. Marion Road.

Don Kearney, director of Parks and Recreation, will give an update on the Recreation Needs Assessment Project.

Mayor Mike Huether will discuss any topics involving the city of Sioux Falls.

Kearney will provide a summary of the duties and responsibilities performed by department staff in the winter months, recap the 2010 capital
projects that improved existing park infrastructure, and discuss plans for west-side bike trail improvements.

Pool Session - SUNDAY

If you'd like to join us for the pool session on Sunday (FEB 13), don't forget to RSVP. We have room for 12-14. Please let me know if you need a boat.

RSVP to dahlmeis@hotmail.com

Registered so far:

1. Jessica P
2. Robin S
3. Kati A
4. Rosalin W
5. Byron H
6. Deb G
7. Curt J
8. Curt J's wife
9. Jon C
10. Tim
11. Bev

Conference Follow-up

Thanks again to everyone who made it to the conference!

• Feel free to contact anyone on the SDCKA board if you're looking for lessons, a boat to borrow, or any other canoe/kayaking information.
  
• Email Steven to reserve your spot in the next pool session -which will be held February 13 at 10am at the YWCA in downtown Sioux Falls. dahlmeis@hotmail.com We have limited space...and have 8 signed up so far. If needed, we will add another session.
  
• The South Dakota Kayak Challenge is looking for volunteers & racers. Visit http://sdkayakchallenge.org/ for more information.
  
• If you want more information regarding the Black Hills Paddlers: http://www.blackhillspaddlers.org/
  
• Here's a photostream of Jarett Bies' trip on the Missouri: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bieso/sets/72157624724396245/
  
• Water levels: http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/
  
• Missouri National Recreational River: www.nps.gov/mnrr/
  
• Dakota Water Watch: http://eastdakota.org/dakotawaterwatch/
  
• City of Sioux Falls: http://www.siouxfallsparks.org/

2011 SDCKA Annual Conference

Saturday, January 29, 2011
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The Outdoor Campus
4500 S. Oxbow Ave
Sioux Falls, S.D.

12:00
Welcome
Steven Dahlmeier, President SDCKA

12:10
SDCKA Year in Review – Cruising, Public Service, Safety
Brief remarks by SDCKA directors about events of the year

12:20
Paddling with Kids
Cory Diedrich (SDCKA Board Member)

12:40

Kayaking in High Winds: What you need for a trip that goes wrong
Jarett Bies (SDCKA Vice President)

1:00

Sioux Falls Waterways
City of Sioux Falls Park & Recreation Department

1:30

Water Conservation / Water Issues
East Dakota Water Development District / Dakota Water Watch

2:00

Break
Sponsored by Scheels

2:15

Whitewater Kayaking

Justin Herreman, Black Hills Paddlers

2:45

The Missouri River
National Park Service

3:15

Kayak Racing & the 2011 South Dakota Kayak Challenge
Jarett Bies & Steven Dahlmeier

3:35

Business Meeting
• Election of Officers
• Plans Ahead for the SDCKA in the Coming Year

This conference is open for anyone interested in canoeing or kayaking. The presentations will be focused upon paddling opportunities and experiences, and the presenters will be members of the SDCA with significant experience in area waters. This is an opportunity to network and establish links with paddlers from the area. There is no admission charge for the conference.

Paddling Network

Let's help paddling.net update the best places to paddle in South Dakota. Click on the link below and add your favorite launch site. This is a great resource for locating areas to paddle around the US.

http://www.paddling.net/launches/

h/t Patrick

Annual conference agenda

Here's a quick look at plans for our Jan. 29 conference (specific presentation times are tentative, a final schedule will be posted next week)

Noon: A welcome to all from Steven Dahlmeier, President SDCKA, followed by a look at the year in review, including cruising, public service, and safety.

12:20 p.m. Paddling with Kids, Rick Johns & Cory Diedrich (SDCKA Board Members)

12:40 p.m. Kayaking in High Winds: What you need for a trip that goes wrong, Jarett Bies

1 p.m. Whitewater Kayaking, Justin Herreman, Black Hills Paddlers

1:30 p.m. Water Conservation with East Dakota Water Development District / Dakota Water Watch (Tentative)

2 p.m. Break

2:15 Big Sioux River Water Trail, City of Sioux Falls Park & Recreation Department

2:45 The Missouri River, National Park Service

3:15 Kayak Racing & the 2011 South Dakota Kayak Challenge, Jarett Bies & Steven Dahlmeier

3:45 p.m. SDCKA board meeting/election of officers for 2011.

This conference is open for anyone interested in canoeing or kayaking. The presentations will be focused upon paddling opportunities and experiences, and the presenters will be members of the SDCKA with significant experience in area waters. This is an opportunity to network and establish links with paddlers from the area. There is no admission charge for the conference.