GL: David Lake

[Writerfred at aol.com]

Bob:
 
I'm not surprised you lost some shut-eye while anchored in David  Lake.
 
In none of the editions of my "Tenn-Tom Nitty-Gritty CruiseGuide" did I  ever 
recommend David Lake as an anchorage.  Nor was I about to,  despite some 
references and inferences to the contrary.  You  discovered one reason.  There are 
three others.
 
First, make only a very slight error in judgement after entering the  lake 
and you can quickly run aground.  Frankly, I'm  surprised you escaped that 
problem.  
 
Second, because the lake is quite tidal, the bottom often drops out,  
sometimes as much as two feet.
 
And third, almost any weather disturbance moving across all that open  and 
shallow water can hit you hard enough on that east side  to affect anchor 
holding and get you into the trees.  The locals know all  about that, too. 
 
Far better anchorages are farther upstream at the Alabama River Cut-Off at  
Mile 52.8 or farther downstream on the Tensaw River at Mile 39.1.
 
Because many people keep notes on what they learn here, I am posting this  
response for everyone to see.
 
Fred Myers



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