logan river is closed through town or maybe more

Logans Mayor has declared the logan river and its a bank a disaster area, prohibiting recreational use for the next month, after a raft popped a hole and all three people self rescued.

email him at

randy.watts@loganutah.org to voice your concerns that this is a navigable water way and closures are ridiculous, but warnings should be in place

Mr Mayor,

I am disappointed to hear the news that the Logan River has been
declared a disaster area and that recreational use has been prohibited.
I am a kayaker in the area and love to paddle the Logan River whenever
possible. Being that the Logan River is a navigable water way, I find
it offensive that it be declared a disaster area and boating is
prohibited. I do understand that the river is above flood stage, but
recreationalists should be able to make their own choices on public
water ways.

Instead of closures, I urge you to post warning signs that the river is
dangerous, that rescue may not be available and to enter at your own
risk. These postings would allow competent boaters to still use the
river and hinder the launching onto the river by novice or people not
knowing what they are doing.

One example I could give you is Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River.
The river is expected to be at flows higher than ever run before, so
outfitters are taking extra precautions, warning guests, etc. However,
boats are still allowed on the river.

Sincerely,

Alan Clark
801-920-3303

interesting reply from the Mayor and my response

Mayor,

Unfortunately, rescue is an inherent part of recreation. Do you ever
close the golf course due to lightning? Does the mountain ever close
for avalanche danger? Be realistic, and I am wondering if you are in
violation of federal waterway acts.

Alan Clark

> From: randy.watts@loganutah.org
> Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:14:02 -0600
> Subject: Re: Logan River Closure
> To: kayakextreme@hotmail.com
>
> I can't close the Logan river in the canyon that is county so use your
> judgment but risking rescue people to get you out if something happens
> is a problem. Mayor watts
>

I am contacting an attorney in Logan at 8 AM to try to file an injunction against Logan City....is anyone willing to chip in for fees?

Before spending $$, consider that they are really panicing because of the flooding. Also, it sounds like only the town run is closed. Reminds me of when Riverdale closed their river parkway; it only lasted a day.
I would not want to get on the town section at 1,560 anyway. There will be two portages, unless you like class V river wide holes: at the footbridge, and the V wave. It will be very fast and hard to eddy out above those.
Red Banks would be great class IV-, maybe some IV. The upper Logan is beefy IV, although with some brush.

These guys have lawyers back them up. This sounds like something up there alley. They said anyone can use them, as the lawyers are doing it in good kind. http://utahstreamaccess.org/

talked to an attorney and it sounds like because the Mayor declared a state of emergency, there isn't much we can do...

It's not really that I want to boat this section at this level, but more of the principal...I'd rather see posting of dangers and advisories!

email the mayor, he replied to me three times today!