GL: Legrace arrives in Demopolis

[Bob Williamson]

Hello All,

We made it to Demopolis this afternoon after leaving Columbus Marina Tuesday
morning.  Yesterday the Tenn-Tom was up 6ft from normal pool below Bevill
Lock (mm 306.8) with the current running about 2 knots.  We wanted to anchor
above Heflin Lock at the Sumter Landing (mm 270.6) recreation area/launch
ramp.  Per the cruising guide it is 6ft at the entrance at normal pool
therefore with the water up 6ft we should have found 12ft, instead we found
5ft!  I poked around twice thinking I wasn't in the center but no go, I
backed away when the depth meter showed only 1ft under the keel, thinking I
could probably get in but if the water dropped overnight we might not get
out.

Tried looking at a couple of other spots on the other side of the river and
downstream at bit but didn't like all the logs around and how tight it would
be between the channel and the bank.  Called the lock tender at Heflin Lock
and discussed the problem.  His suggestion was to take a look at the
entrance to the channel leading to the dam at mm 268.  We tried various
places at the entrance, first couple of spots weren't too good, depths were
ok ranging from 15 to 20 ft on the south side of the entrance along a big
bar next to 45+ ft in the center of the channel but couldn't get a good set
on the anchor.  We finally got settled in on the north side of the entrance
in 28ft of water in a 2 knot current using 50 meters of chain and a good set
on the anchor - never moved and wound up having a comfortable night.

This morning called Heflin Lock and after 40min. delay for a north bound tow
we were off and running.  And I do mean running.  The pool level above the
lock was about the same, +6ft above normal.  But the pool level below the
lock was at 91ft or +18ft above normal.  We had a fast ride all day with
mostly 2.5 to 3 knots of current but lots of debris - so not a relaxing ride
dodging logs.

Topped up with diesel at Demopolis Yacht Basin this afternoon, $3.549/gal -
fortunately didn't need a huge amount at that price.

Tomorrow's forecast is for a nice day but thunderstorms tomorrow night and
rain on Friday.  So I'll have to study the forecast closely and make a
decision to keep running or hold up for a couple of days.

More later.

Bob & Lynn Williamson
On Legrace in Demopolis AL