Upstream

It was beautiful after work today. The temperature was in the low to mid 80s, the wind was essentially nonexistant, and the humidity was below 40%. Obviously, I had to get out on the river. I put in from the causeway. I noticed that quite a few people fishing from the riprap and the dock today. Also, the dam must have been releasing water, because most of shore of Discovery island (near the causeway boat ramp) was submerged.

I chose to head upstream and it was tough paddling against the release from the dam. I struggled to keep at 3 mph. With the water high, I took a short detour to check out Whiskey Gulch. What little there is of it anyway. I paddled to the island upstream of the bridges. On my way back downstream, I noticed that the sandbar upstream of the bridges is completely submerged with at least a foot of water. The route ended up being 4.4 miles and I easily clocked 6 mph on my way downstream.
I manged to take a couple of nice pictures of the railroad bridge on my way downstream.
The weather is looking good for Saturday. NOAA is saying sunny with the high near 88 and winds 10-20 mph. Check out the below post for more on the SDCA cruise in Pierre on Saturday, June 20th. I have heard from only one paddler and John Adler is leaving on vacation on Friday.