wingdam?

  • predator_2
    Posts: 152
    June 21, 2001 at 4:38 pm #230531

    It is a rock bar or peir that portrudes from the bank of a river towards the center of the channel but falls short of the center. It’s design is to deflect water to the center of the channel to help keep it from silting in. Most are under water. they were put in by the corp of engineers to maintain the channel for barge traffic.

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    June 21, 2001 at 4:42 pm #230532

    There are also “blocking wingdams” that cross the entire channel…only side channels though.

    Get a map from the DNR. They can be very shallow. You must have an idea where they are or know how to read the water once you are off the main (navigatable) channel.

    haywood04
    Winona, Minnesota
    Posts: 1073
    June 21, 2001 at 5:25 pm #230533

    Are most, some, or none of the wingdams marked on the river itself. I have hit a wingdam before,(scared the $#*! out me, thought I lost my lower unit but had the trusty 9.9 ”71 merc in the tilt not locked postion)

    I never could understand why some type of marking system could not be used? Any DNR Thoughts or rational? Thanks

    rivereyes
    Osceola, Wisconsin
    Posts: 2782
    June 21, 2001 at 5:46 pm #230535

    in reality they dont directly mark ANY wingdams… they just mark the channel… once you leave the channel you do so at your peril…. the river can be a very harsh place to operate a boat, much more so than lakes….. with wingdams, deadheads, sand/mud bars, rocks, floating ice in the winter, barges, heavy boat traffic in congested areas…… its a place where you should pay attention at all times….. even if your anchored!… because even sitting still the current will move things into you.. and boats will continue to move, if your anchored in the path of a barge, may god have mercy on your soul… from what I have been told they wont stop….. somewhat like parking on a train track….. they take their best route, you best get out of it….. though Im sure they would TRY and stop…. I would not take the chance…..

    rvvrrat
    The Sand Prairie
    Posts: 1840
    June 21, 2001 at 6:25 pm #230538

    “In general” the bouys mark the end of wingdams. By no means does this mean that all wingdams are marked…or that a bouy marks a wingdam…it is just a general rule of thumb.

    My guess about why they are not marked is quite simply because of the number of wingdams, their location, their shape, and the ability to anchor something that will stay. If you get a map you will see that all wingdams are not created equal. Along with stright wingdams there are numerous T, L, and “combo” shaped dams. You will also note that many wingdams are not on the main channel. The bouys themselves do move from the ice, current, or other incidents (saw a barge drag one off one day when a captain took a wide turn by L&D 4). Just think of the power of the water in the channel during normal flows and then imagine another 12 feet of water and triple water flows. I’m surprised they stay as much as they do.

    DaveB
    Inver Grove Heights MN
    Posts: 4497
    June 21, 2001 at 6:59 pm #230540

    Aint WingDamns dem hot t’ings dat ya find at da KFC? I love dem WingDamns! Yum Yum…

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