anyone ever dive the columbia?

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kat
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anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

hoping to find some very local dive sites. any suggestions? anything i should know about diving in the area?
any info is good info.
thank you


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airsix
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by airsix »

Kat,
Welcome to nwdiveclub. This is the BEST dive forum without question. You'll love it here.

First things first. Where exactly is "local"? The Columbia runs from Canada to Oregon so you gotta give us some hints about where you are. Wherever you are I'm sure we can help you find some people to dive with. That's what this club does best.

FYI I'm in Kennewick, WA and dived the Columbia just yesterday.

-Ben

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selkie
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by selkie »

Hi Kat,

I have dove the Columbia in the Portland area. As Airsix says it would help to define local. Now is certainly not the time to dive the lower river do to run off causing poor visibility and other complicating factors due to high water levels i.e. fast currents, floating log and other debris.
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by John Rawlings »

Geez....I'm glad that you guys responded before I managed to make a fool of myself,(all too easy for me, sometimes!). I was getting ready to respond with a bunch of information on diving the "wreck" of HMCS Columbia up by Campbell River! #-o
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by Pez7378 »

John Rawlings wrote:Geez....I'm glad that you guys responded before I managed to make a fool of myself,(all too easy for me, sometimes!). I was getting ready to respond with a bunch of information on diving the "wreck" of HMCS Columbia up by Campbell River! #-o
We'd love to hear all about it! :evil4:
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kat
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

sorry, portland. i'm actually on a floating home on jantzen beach, so i can attest to the current current conditions. i will be getting my certification in a couple of weeks, and am planning for the future.
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by nwbobber »

I have dove the lower columbia a few times, and I wouldn't recommend it. It was zero visibility, current, who knows what drifting by. Maybe try one of the lakes on Mt Hood.
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kat
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

i know that from time to time the vis isn't that bad. anyone have any recommendations for when this rare opportunity presents itself?
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airsix
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by airsix »

kat wrote:i know that from time to time the vis isn't that bad. anyone have any recommendations for when this rare opportunity presents itself?
When the weather is too cold for algae combined with a long period without rain (rain = runoff).
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nice-diver
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by nice-diver »

How about under your floating house...wouldn't take long to drive there.
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Re: anyone ever dive the Columbia?

Post by loanwolf »

I used to live in Eastern Washington and have dove the Columbia in many areas. You really have to define local. The currents range for the full flow of the river to nice and calm in the reservoirs. Lake Roosevelt has great diving in early spring when the water is high. You find all kinds of things. their still are remnants of settlements and some mines that can be interesting to dive. Look at old USGS maps dated before the dam project and go find the old towns. For the most part it is best in early spring when the water is high and flow is low and boat traffic is not so bad. they do not know what a dive flag is or give a rat's ass if they do know. all you are is road kill ](*,) .
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selkie
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by selkie »

Kat,

Don't dive under the floating home. The floating home marinas, regular marinas, piers, and wing dams are some of the most dangers places to dive on the river for a variety of reasons. Ask your instructor in class about diving in the river and particularly around marinas.

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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by spatman »

hi kat

sorry i'm a little late to this thread, but welcome to NWDC! i hope you find the info you're looking for, and please keep us posted as to when you decide to go diving, whether in the columbia or elsewhere.

selkie wrote:Come on out to the meeting it is free. You can meet some local divers and ask questions.
which group is meeting, selkie? is it a particular dive club?
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kat
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

i will do my best to attend. i look forward to meeting some people. thank you.
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kat
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

here's a pic from my first dive! it was on the columbia.... that counts right?
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spatman
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by spatman »

kat wrote:here's a pic from my first dive! it was on the columbia.... that counts right?

nice. gives a whole new context to the term "skindiving".

viz looks kinda murky though. less than a foot at best...
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kat
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

about 10 inches. i need a deeper tub. and i cant find my duckie.
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by Pez7378 »

kat wrote:about 10 inches. i need a deeper tub. and i cant find my duckie.
Keep looking, those little buggers turn up in the strangest places........ :evil4:










What?! :dontknow: :evil4:
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spatman
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by spatman »

kat wrote:i cant find my duckie.
sounds like you might need to organize a search team. i'm sure there are plenty of willing volunteers on this forum...
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kat
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by kat »

missing duckie!

have you seen me?
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spatman
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by spatman »

kat wrote:missing duckie!

have you seen me?

that's a very common duckie here in portland. but if i see one wandering around untethered, i'll be sure to let you know.
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by Maverick »

I'm in, I'll dive in ten inches for an organized dive any time.
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airsix
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by airsix »

Wow. I'm going to have to quietly back away from this thread before my wife looks over my shoulder and see's Kat's bare @ss. [blush]
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by CaptnJack »

kat wrote:missing duckie!

have you seen me?
I considered S&M duckie and went with devil duckie myself :prayer:
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Pez7378
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Re: anyone ever dive the columbia?

Post by Pez7378 »

Seriously you guys, this forum was dead, up until a few days ago. :dontknow: :prayer: #-o [-X :evil4:

Now I can't pick on Spatman for Moderating.......well......nothing. :smt024 :dontknow:

Oh, Kat, welcome the the NWDC! I thought I heard a Muffled Duck Quack down at Alki, but that's just rediculous, Ducks fly SOUTH for the winter. :bootyshake:
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