The Chesapeake Bay has benefited greatly from the lower amounts of rainfall and subsequent reduced runoff of water that come with it. The Bay's dead zones that exist without oxygen have been smaller, the fish have ventured farther north, and the spawning female crabs swimming south have happened in some of the largest numbers seen in recent years. The reduced algae blooms have left the middle Bay a bit clearer and promoted the growth of sea grasses that are crucial for the Bay ecosystems. Fishing Creek has seen some of the first Terrapins (Native Bay turtles) live and lay eggs in the creek in many years.
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| Terrapin caught in crab pot |
Of course lower rainfall also brought record Sea Nettle (Jelly fish) counts to the middle Bay, and more barnacles for boat bottoms.
Hurricane season has also been a bit different this summer, with storms staying well south or east of the US East Coast.
Track Hurricanes at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
For this Autumn, there are many predictions as to what we will expect. For us in Oyster Harbor we can probably expect at least one Tropical Storm to past by and leave some rain and wind before November. We can also expect the consistent mix of mild and hot days, with the occasional summer thunderstorms. Rumor has it that the fishing this fall will be better than normal.
As for new things affecting the Piers and Harbors, we have a big list of accomplishments this summer.
- The Fishing Pier is complete (along with the dredging of the channel and new bulkheads)
- We have added floating docks to Fishing Creek and Booker Ave piers for dinghy and kayak launching and for leased space available to store small boats on those floating docks.
- We have added the ability to pump out port-a-potties (portable types) at the Pump out on Booker Pier
- We have fixed and expanded signs at beaches and piers to more clearly define rules and usage.
- We have also gotten stricter about enforcing boats, trailers, and cars that are left in places that block the open use of the piers or parking areas by others.
- We added an online Slip Request form on the Piers and Harbors Blog to apply for a slip or dinghy dock
New dinghy floating dock details
We have one new dock as Fishing Creek. It can hold four dinks, kayaks, lasers, sunfish, or other similar sized boat. Each space is 3.5' x 10' and has tie downs to secure your boat. Half of the original white dock at Fishing Creek is reserved for boat launching, crabbing, and short term tie ups.
On Booker/Washington Pier we added two floating docks, with a total of seven spaces available. Four spaces are 3.5' x 10 feet, three are 2.5' x 10' for kayak width boats only (kayaks by be up to 14'), and one is 2.5 feet by 10' where the kayak must be 10' or less. All spaces have tie downs. Both floating docks have the right side reserved for boat launching. The one near shore has a ramp to make launching easier.
Leased Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis, with preference given to those who are less able to carry boats from the racks to the water.
If you'd like to lease floating dock space or a slip, click on the slip request button above.
We'd also like to thank all the residents who went out of their way to report boats that were taking on water, help find lost boats, and in one case go out of their way to bail out a boat at 2am in high winds. I believe that because of this care for others in the community, we did not have a single boat sunk, and found the one lost boat that blew away. Thank you!
| Don't think this winter will be as mild as last year. Plan ahead! |
On a final weather note, last winter was remembered as the "Winter that wasn't", and many boaters will have that fresh in their minds when planning winterizing and storage for their boats for this winter. We remind you that the last time this area had such a mild winter was in 1955. And, only a couple years ago we had the "Snowmageddon". Winters can vary greatly from year to year in our area, so please plan for a much harsher winter this year than last.
As always, if you have suggestions, ideas, find a lost boat, see one near sinking (even at 2am), or want to rent a boat slip, please let us know.
Fair winds and happy boating,
Eric Epstein
Piers and Harbors Chair
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