The Chain anchor is huge on the Yakima in the Lower Canyon. It works well there beacuase the river bottom is full of sharp/small rocks. My lead anchor barely works over there, it is either stuck and a bi@tch to pull, or it barely slows me down. The way the bottom is in that section of river, the chain anchor actually stops the boats, MUCH better then my 30 lb. lead anchor. I could see using one where there is very little chance of destroying spawning habitat, like the Lower Canyon on the Yak.