what's up with the city of aberdeen's water project facility a few miles below whiskah bridge? I floated the June 1st opener in my cataraft and was surprised to see the mini damn there? i walked my cataraft to the far side (riverside left) and tossed it over the edge to proceed with the day's fishing. What's normal procedure for catarafts and driftboats to get through this mini outtake damn facility- or whatever you call it? how do the fish navigate this structure?
FYI there was a large log blocking what seemed to be a lock system on the river right side of the river? Is this lock system for river boats?

I believe you're talking about the spillway just below the gravel bar launch. Called a few names. But my Dad has property just upstream of it. I know the fish get over it. Not sure if they actually jump over it (which they are able to do), but think the slot to the far right where the log boom is may be for the fish. There is no boat pass facility on it. You simply go to the far left and pull your boat around.

Now, depends on what type of boat do you have? The more rocker hulled boats I'd HIGHLY suggest walking around. This is a classic hydraulic area, and you need as flat of print on the boat as possible. You can do it, but if water if flowing just right, can flip a cataraft/pontoon boat in the 8-9' range. Plus, hyrdaulics are the major cause of most drowings. They suck you under and it's hard to get back out. In fact, they one you're talking about claimed two guys last year I do believe. They tried to put their DB over it in the middle, and flipped it. I normally only run my 16' cataraft over it, but depending on river levels I'll even walk mine since I don't have an easy run over it. If you hit just right, can even flip my big boat if the hydraulic is running just right, or water is too low. I'd rather be safe then sorry. I have run my 9' Steelheader over it, but I came out lucky, and opted not to do it again even in that boat. I got just enough grab on the hull going over it and spun me around, luckily I made it over butt downriver and could oar myself out of it. Had I went over it sideways, I would've probably been wet or dead if I got sucked under.

You must be new to the river for the dam has been there since the 50's. It is a diversion for the city of Aberdeen's industrial facilities. The log above to the right is a barrier to keep boats/debris from plugging the fish ladder and water intake. Fish jump the barrier itself or go up the ladder near the intake.It is standard procedure, year around, for boats to rope around the left side. It is not advisable to row over the dam as it has a fairly powerful backwash........lives have been lost here in recent years.

Hope that helps.

excellent info -!
yes I'm new to floating snoochie --
looks like my gut feeling was on the money on what to w/ boat.
FYI - i saw 4 summers taken up near whiskah br. early sunday morning...water down lower below diversion damn was very low - didn't see much action there and below- glad i didn't take a driftboat that day. would have been allot of dragging going on...
can we expect higher flows later after snowmelt comes on ? low flows making for challenging conditions already. hate to see it in July at this rate...

Hey, no problem. You must be new to the area. The Nooch is pretty low all summer long. Water levels are controled by a Dam at the headwaters. So, usually not much change unless we have heavy rains. Has been dry last few years, so have been low waters up into October. Back when I had a driftboat and my catarafts, I only used the cats during the summer. WAY too much dragging during the summer.