Seriously folks, stay off the water

I just returned from scouting the river.

Apparently, someone in a canoe decided it would be a good idea to paddle into the river and snap a few photos. This led to a flurry of SF Search & Rescue folks working to find this individual.

I'm not sure of the specifics, but please do not be foolish and attempt to enter swollen rivers.

UPDATE: The apparent canoeist was actually a couple walking along the bike path.

I did, however, spot two kayakers on the river around 1:30pm. Not smart.

Also - the city is letting raw sewage into the river to relieve some pressure from the system. Just another reason to stay out of the water for a while.

57th & Western parking lot for the boat landing

Spencer Park entrance is now being used as a boat ramp for SF Fire & Rescue

SF Fire & Rescue after locating the missing person



Looking downstream from the Yankton Park Bridge



Yankton Park southern bridge

Clean-up event among several right around the corner

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Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

***UPDATED ON JULY 30! THESE EVENTS ARE AGAIN POSTPONED DUE TO THE FLOODING! CHECK BACK FOR NEW TIMES, IF MOTHER NATURE ALLOWS. I SAY AGAIN, AUG. 1 AND AUG. 4 EVENTS NO LONGER PLANNED DUE TO FLOODING!***

Several new events are rapidly approaching, and all are set on the Big Sioux River.

On Aug. 1, the SDCKA will host a cruise that starts in Canton at 1 p.m. Gathering spot will be near the river access on South Lincoln Street in Canton. Meet up there, then shuttle vehicles to Newton Hills State Park. The group then will paddle down to their cars. It's a great stretch of the river and all are welcome. Call Larry, 605-764-5654, or Dave at 605-366-6844.



On Aug. 4, a Sioux Falls run (shown in the first picture) with a focus on clean-up is set. This event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the river access on 57th Street, located near the DQ. Meet at the lot, then help get trash and junk off the river for a few hours. Dave and Mary Finck are running this operation, so join them if you wish, and if you have questions, call Dave at 605-366-6844.

On Aug. 15, ShaRon Kelly is leading a BSR trip of length - Dells to past Baltic - that starts at 9:30 a.m. The trip is set to highlight the necessity for work on the low-head dams that are near Baltic, and it includes a run through the Dells of the Big Sioux River. ShaRon will meet with folks at 9:30 a.m. and then he and others will shuttle vehicles as needed. There is a long portage around two low-head dams near Baltic. For information on this event, call ShaRon at 605-323-8053.

Moonlight cruise set for Friday night

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Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

*** UPDATED! THIS EVENT MOVED TO TONIGHT, July 24th, 8 P.M. SAME PLACE, SAME FOLKS, SAME PHONE NUMBER FOR QUESTIONS! ***


Dave and Mary Finck are hosting a gathering on Friday night, July 23, on Split Rock Creek in the Garretson City Park.

They will host a little "moonlight" run that evening and will have both canoes and kayaks if anyone who is boat-less wants to join the fun. Paddlers with boats are welcome, too, and they plan to hang around and kayak until darkness falls.

The moon goes full on Monday, but there should be plenty of fun regardless of the size or shape of the moon. If you have never paddled after dark, it's quite fun and the spot Dave and Mary picked is perfect for first-timers to give it a spin.

Questions? Write Jarett (jbies0341@hotmail.com) or call Dave, 605-366-6844.

City kayak event set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Originally uploaded by jayalbionheath

Club members Larry Braaten, along with Dave and Mary Finck, are planning a cruise on the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls on Sunday, July 18.

They will start at a put-in across from the Dairy Queen near Western Ave on 57th Street, then paddle down to a take-out near 14th Street and Cliff Avenue.

The gathering starts at 1 p.m. with a quick shuttle of vehicles. To join them, just show up, or e-mail Jarett and he'll relay your info to Dave, Mary, or Larry.

Don't forget we need volunteers for the July 17 water testing. Please RSVP for this, as we need help to test the Grass Lake water, friends.

Water testing Saturday at Grass Lake

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Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

The SDCKA will take part in water testing efforts starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, at Grass Lake. Volunteers for this effort are needed, and we hope to see many kayaks and canoes out at the lake.

Grass Lake is located west of Sioux Falls. To get there, take 12th Street (Highway 42) west of town about 7-10 miles until you reach 459th Avenue. There, turn right (or north) and go about 3 miles. The road curves in several spots, and Grass Lake access is on the west (or left) side just after one of the curves.

The turn to go into the lake comes up quickly, so slow down as you see the lake on the left, a slough (near a trap shooting lodge) on the right.

We'll gather there and Jeremy from Dakota Water Watch will give instructions on what information we'll gather, to include water samples and some data. The forecast is for 86 and partly sunny.

Usually the sampling takes about 90 minutes, depending on the number of paddlers. Mary and Dave Finck are running the show, so to speak, and if you have any questions, you can relay them to Jarett (jbies0341@hotmail.com) or call them at 605-366-6844.

We are hoping to have pre-registration so that the Dakota Water Watch person has a good idea how much equipment to bring, so please call Mary and Dave to confirm you are going, or post a comment here, or e-mail Jarett.

CANCELED! Dells to Baltic run Saturday at 8 a.m.

CANCELED DUE TO HIGH WATER...look for a new date in the near future.

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Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso

Hola amigos!

SDCKA board member Judy Austad is going to lead a cruise on Saturday, July 10, from Dells to Balti on the Big Sioux River. The river is up but not dangerous, but there was more rain last night in Brookings County, so who knows what the wacky Big Sioux will have in store.

Judy welcomes all to the event. Meet up at the Dell Rapids park, then shuttling will start. River splits just past the bridge in Dells, and the trip should take 2-3 hours, depending on the flow.

If rains lead to flooded conditions, the event will be postponed. We'll update the blog again on Friday morning to confirm this run.

If you have questions, write Jarett at jbies0341@hotmail.com and he'll relay the information.