Erica,
Good info here. I am in way an expert, so please take the following as such - my own personal rules nothing written in a book or advice from an expert.
When exploring the Wisconsin River with my children or with my dogs I would remind myself ( my rule ) "If sand is bright, should be alright. If sand if brown, you could drown." Meaning wet sand is new sand, could be ok, but if you are not sure ... be careful, might be best to leave it.. Also, think like heaven, better to be up current on a bar, could be dangerous down current i.e, good to go up, bad to go down. Loose sand down current on a bar can break away around your feet ... you sink and new sand flows over your legs ... sucking you down further. Hard to stop once it starts.
I used a 64 inch paddle when I could kneel. There were times when I would paddle to a sand bar with my kids. Sand looked brown, I was not sure ... put two fingers on the top of my paddle and pushed the blade into the sand. Some times I could push the paddle nearly all the way to the top of the grip. So - the rule was if the paddle sinks this bar stinks - and we look for another.
All this said, the river is a beautiful place to paddle and explore. It is a marvelous resource - especially on week days when there are less crazy tubers and other fast boat recreators out ... and lots more animals. Using a little common sense and keeping alert for strainers and unsafe sand bars can keep you safe. The river is a truly beautiful place to explore.
Good info here. I am in way an expert, so please take the following as such - my own personal rules nothing written in a book or advice from an expert.
When exploring the Wisconsin River with my children or with my dogs I would remind myself ( my rule ) "If sand is bright, should be alright. If sand if brown, you could drown." Meaning wet sand is new sand, could be ok, but if you are not sure ... be careful, might be best to leave it.. Also, think like heaven, better to be up current on a bar, could be dangerous down current i.e, good to go up, bad to go down. Loose sand down current on a bar can break away around your feet ... you sink and new sand flows over your legs ... sucking you down further. Hard to stop once it starts.
I used a 64 inch paddle when I could kneel. There were times when I would paddle to a sand bar with my kids. Sand looked brown, I was not sure ... put two fingers on the top of my paddle and pushed the blade into the sand. Some times I could push the paddle nearly all the way to the top of the grip. So - the rule was if the paddle sinks this bar stinks - and we look for another.
All this said, the river is a beautiful place to paddle and explore. It is a marvelous resource - especially on week days when there are less crazy tubers and other fast boat recreators out ... and lots more animals. Using a little common sense and keeping alert for strainers and unsafe sand bars can keep you safe. The river is a truly beautiful place to explore.
