Harper's Fishing Pier
Harper's Fishing Pier
Went out to Harper's Ferry Fishing Pier Sunday and was greeted with the sight of a barge with a crane on it. It was evident that the dolphins at the end of the fishing pier had been removed. We checked in with the lady who runs the little cafe and she said that the pilings had been removed this last week under protest.
We were going to call the dive, but, decided to do it anyway. We surface swam the 3 miles (okay like 480 feet) to the end of the fishing pier and dropped. We headed on a 60 degree heading and under the barge found several broken off piling pieces. Took a 340 heading from there and ran right into the old wooden trawler.
The lines from the dolphins that ran to the two wrecks are obviously no longer there.
On the way in, we found many crater-like holes along the fishing pier. Apparently they pulled all pilings that broke the surface of the water that weren't actually holding up the fishing pier.
Still saw some cool stuff. It is apparently Shaggy Mouse breeding season. We saw a ton making babies at Three Tree and they were all over here as well.
This Scaleyhead Sculpin was looking out over the wreck.
And this Ochre star was showing both color variations.
Glad we did the dive, didn't get deeper than 27 fsw since it was low tide.
We were going to call the dive, but, decided to do it anyway. We surface swam the 3 miles (okay like 480 feet) to the end of the fishing pier and dropped. We headed on a 60 degree heading and under the barge found several broken off piling pieces. Took a 340 heading from there and ran right into the old wooden trawler.
The lines from the dolphins that ran to the two wrecks are obviously no longer there.
On the way in, we found many crater-like holes along the fishing pier. Apparently they pulled all pilings that broke the surface of the water that weren't actually holding up the fishing pier.
Still saw some cool stuff. It is apparently Shaggy Mouse breeding season. We saw a ton making babies at Three Tree and they were all over here as well.
This Scaleyhead Sculpin was looking out over the wreck.
And this Ochre star was showing both color variations.
Glad we did the dive, didn't get deeper than 27 fsw since it was low tide.
Tim
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Thanks for the report and the pics...
And alas, another site takin a hit.
Where did you see the Shaggy Meece's at TTN?
And alas, another site takin a hit.
Where did you see the Shaggy Meece's at TTN?
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
They were all over the golf-ball boat. There must have been 20+ on the bow of the boat and tons of egg ribbons and more on the ground looking to meet and greet the others on the boat. Saw them last Thursday.Tom Nic wrote:Thanks for the report and the pics...
And alas, another site takin a hit.
Where did you see the Shaggy Meece's at TTN?
Tim
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Thanks! I'll definitely pay them a visit in the morning!coachrenz wrote:They were all over the golf-ball boat. There must have been 20+ on the bow of the boat and tons of egg ribbons and more on the ground looking to meet and greet the others on the boat. Saw them last Thursday.Tom Nic wrote:Thanks for the report and the pics...
And alas, another site takin a hit.
Where did you see the Shaggy Meece's at TTN?
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Wow. Does anybody know of any advance warning about this removal? That dolphin was an absolute treasure trove of life, and one of the factors that made Harper's one of our all-time favorite dive sites. I wonder what happened to all the beautiful anemones that lived on it (as if I can't guess), not to mention the huge schools of tubesnouts and shiner perch that called its shelter home. Sad..........
Dave
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
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--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
The lady across the street said that they scraped lots of the stuff that was on the pilings into the water. Like that was going to do any good. We didn't see piles of scraped off dead stuff on the bottom under the barge, so, don't know if it really happened or what happened to the stuff if it did happen.dwashbur wrote:Wow. Does anybody know of any advance warning about this removal? That dolphin was an absolute treasure trove of life, and one of the factors that made Harper's one of our all-time favorite dive sites. I wonder what happened to all the beautiful anemones that lived on it (as if I can't guess), not to mention the huge schools of tubesnouts and shiner perch that called its shelter home. Sad..........
There are about a dozen or so broken off pilings still there, not even close to what it was, but, hopefully, they will leave those. They would have to dive to attach them to something to be able to pull. The lady said that she didn't think they would do that as there were only 3 guys working the barge. So, unless they wait for a really minus tide, they likely won't find them.
The only notice we saw at the site was an 8x11 page in a plastic cover hanging at the end of the dock. They placed crushed clam shell in the places where the dolphins were taken out and just left craters where the single pilings were removed.
Tim
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
What are/were the "dolphins?" Is that some kind of special piling? Are they bumpers for a ferry? I've heard the term many times, but never thought to ask what it actually meant.
Sucks about the site. I keep hearing "another one bites the dust" over and over in my head... seems like a common theme lately.
Sucks about the site. I keep hearing "another one bites the dust" over and over in my head... seems like a common theme lately.
GUE Seattle - The official GUE Affiliate in the Northwest!
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Sounder wrote:What are/were the "dolphins?" Is that some kind of special piling? Are they bumpers for a ferry? I've heard the term many times, but never thought to ask what it actually meant.
Sucks about the site. I keep hearing "another one bites the dust" over and over in my head... seems like a common theme lately.
Dolphins are a set of multiple pilings lashed together with heavy cable which provides a secure mooring. I believe that at Harper's it used to be a ferry landing.
Tim
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor
REEF PNW AAT Level 5 Surveyor
REEF Hawaii Level 3 Surveyor
REEF Instructor - PNW Fish, PNW Advanced Fish, PNW Inverts, TWA, HAW, TEP, Cal Inverts and Algae
TimRenz.com creating comfortable, confident, and enthusiastic divers.
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Aaah, ok. That's what I suspected, but I'd never bothered to ask. Thanks.coachrenz wrote:Sounder wrote:What are/were the "dolphins?" Is that some kind of special piling? Are they bumpers for a ferry? I've heard the term many times, but never thought to ask what it actually meant.
Sucks about the site. I keep hearing "another one bites the dust" over and over in my head... seems like a common theme lately.
Dolphins are a set of multiple pilings lashed together with heavy cable which provides a secure mooring. I believe that at Harper's it used to be a ferry landing.
GUE Seattle - The official GUE Affiliate in the Northwest!
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
But the wreck is still there ? Right ? So the site still has something to offer.
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
The wrecks are still there it sounds like based on Tims dive report. I'm sure this is all part of the DNR Creosote Piling Project. Here's a link to thier website which has some PDF's that show where all the project sites are.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/T ... ation.aspx
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/T ... ation.aspx
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
That absolutely stinks. The wife and I loved that site. Now I wish I had gotten a few more pics.........
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Yeah ... it's a shame. That was one of my favorite places.
A few years back we put together an underwater wedding under the dolphin to get a beautiful backdrop of the giant anemones. We had the bride, groom and minister all on coms and the videographer shot the whole thing for Evening Magazine while all the guests were up on the dock watching on the monitor and listening to the vows from the com system. Everyone that had never dove there was amazed by the beauty of our natural altar and the abundance of sea life.
A few years back we put together an underwater wedding under the dolphin to get a beautiful backdrop of the giant anemones. We had the bride, groom and minister all on coms and the videographer shot the whole thing for Evening Magazine while all the guests were up on the dock watching on the monitor and listening to the vows from the com system. Everyone that had never dove there was amazed by the beauty of our natural altar and the abundance of sea life.
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
I dove there once, it was fantastic. Anyone know why they were removed?
Who run barter town?
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Oops, never mind just read the link.... ](*,)Pez7378 wrote:The wrecks are still there it sounds like based on Tims dive report. I'm sure this is all part of the DNR Creosote Piling Project. Here's a link to thier website which has some PDF's that show where all the project sites are.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/T ... ation.aspx
Who run barter town?
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Gotta go against the grain here, apologies all around. After hearing some opposing viewpoints, I agree with the removing of the pilings. If they don't serve a purpose, like holding up a pier or buffering a ferry landing, then they are just leeching creosote into the sound. I know there are a ton of pilings, and I know it doesn't seem like one or two being removed will make a difference, but like someone on this board said, for the sound it's similar to "death by a thousand cuts". Leaving them simply as a jungle gym for divers doesn't make much sense. Yes, this goes against my past opinions, and I know someone will point that out. Oh well, live and learn. I was wrong, and I can admit that. Harpers Ferry still has the wreck to dive, and is still a great site.
Not just front page famous, but above the fold famous...
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Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
From the DNR Website
DNR wrote:Brief Science of Creosote
Not covered in this brief piece are the history of creosote and its use in any of the marine
applications.
Environmental Chemistry
Creosote is a general term covering coal tar creosote, coal tar, and coal tar pitch. Coal tar
creosote is the most common mixture, and is widely used as a wood preservative in the U.S. As
many as 10,000 chemicals may comprise this mixture.
.. The primary chemicals of concern within creosote compound —with harmful health
effects—are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols, and creosols. Of these
three, PAHs are the most common ingredient.
.. PAHs are organic compounds, and in the context of creosote (and in general) they are
divided into two categories: low molecular weight PAH compounds (low PAH) and high
molecular weight PAH compounds (high PAH).
.. Chemicals in creosote break down in water very slowly. They tend to cling to particles of
matter, and as such, sediments are considered the primary location for these contaminants
to collect in aquatic environments. Many PAHs do not migrate far from the point of
contamination, and accumulate at that primary location.
.. The rate of absorption of a particular compound is variable and depends on several factors
(e.g., exposure, degradation, and oxidation).
.. Microscopic breakdown of some of these toxins can occur at the water/sediment interface;
high PAHs can resist degradation more than low PAHs. In sediment with less oxygen,
degradation of both high and low PAHs decreases, and may persist in the sediments for an
indefinite period.
.. Intake by living organisms depends on a particular chemical compound, but organisms that
live in or are attached to the sediments can uptake many of the PAHs as they ingest
sediment or as they eat other organisms with concentrations of the chemicals.
Toxicity of creosote
The toxic effects of organic contaminants (such as PAHs) depends on several factors, including
the route of exposure, duration and concentration, chemical composition, organism sensitivity,
life stage affected, organism potential for detoxification/excretion, and the physical condition of
a particular organism during exposure.
.. In general, these chemical compounds vary widely in toxicity. For some organisms, low
PAHs are acutely toxic but may be considered non-cancer causing. High PAHs however,
are not as toxic, but to many organisms—such as fish, birds, amphibians, mammals—can
cause cancer, mutation or malformation of embryo/fetus.
.. These toxins quickly accumulate in an organism, but most organisms can also rapidly
metabolize and eliminate them. Most fish tissue contains relatively low concentrations of
these toxins, and accumulation is usually short term. Two other processes are more
common: biodegradation (decay and absorbed by environment) and biotransformation
(chemical compound alteration by enzymes).
.. PAHs generally are not expected in higher order organisms; organisms such as fish have
the potential to metabolize and excrete PAHs.
.. These toxins can accumulate in tissues of mollusks and other benthic invertebrates that do
not metabolize as efficiently. An increase in concentration can result within organisms with
higher fat. Reproduction may be inhibited or death may occur.
.. For some fish species, this sediments contamination is linked to adverse impacts, such as
reproductive impairment, suppressed immune function, liver lesions and fin abnormalities.
In addition, embryonic development of the Pacific herring has been shown to be negatively
affected by diffusible components of weathered creosote pilings.
References
Vines, C.A., T. Robbins, F.J. Griffin, and G.N. Cherr. 2000. The effects of diffusible creosote-
derived compounds on development in Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi). Aquatic Toxicology:
51, pp 225-239.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2002. Toxicological profile for
creosote. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
EVS Environmental Consultants. 2003. Status, Trends and Effects of Toxic Contaminants in
the Puget Sound Environment. Prepared for Puget Sound Action Team, Olympia, Washington.
EVS Project No. 02-1090-01.
Stratus Consulting. 2006. Creosote-Treated Wood In Aquatic Environments: Technical Review
and Use Recommendations. Prepared for NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Division. Santa Rosa,
California. http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/wood/Creosote_Report-final.pdf
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Fishstiq wrote:Gotta go against the grain here, apologies all around. After hearing some opposing viewpoints, I agree with the removing of the pilings. If they don't serve a purpose, like holding up a pier or buffering a ferry landing, then they are just leeching creosote into the sound. I know there are a ton of pilings, and I know it doesn't seem like one or two being removed will make a difference, but like someone on this board said, for the sound it's similar to "death by a thousand cuts". Leaving them simply as a jungle gym for divers doesn't make much sense. Yes, this goes against my past opinions, and I know someone will point that out. Oh well, live and learn. I was wrong, and I can admit that. Harpers Ferry still has the wreck to dive, and is still a great site.
I'm with you, I just wish they'd sink a bunch of boulders at these sites for some of the life to move to before they rip out the pilings. Plus this still gives us a place to dive. (yeah, I'm selfish, whatever)
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Agreed. Sink some boulders, or reef balls, or something like that.Nwbrewer wrote:Fishstiq wrote:Gotta go against the grain here, apologies all around. After hearing some opposing viewpoints, I agree with the removing of the pilings. If they don't serve a purpose, like holding up a pier or buffering a ferry landing, then they are just leeching creosote into the sound. I know there are a ton of pilings, and I know it doesn't seem like one or two being removed will make a difference, but like someone on this board said, for the sound it's similar to "death by a thousand cuts". Leaving them simply as a jungle gym for divers doesn't make much sense. Yes, this goes against my past opinions, and I know someone will point that out. Oh well, live and learn. I was wrong, and I can admit that. Harpers Ferry still has the wreck to dive, and is still a great site.
I'm with you, I just wish they'd sink a bunch of boulders at these sites for some of the life to move to before they rip out the pilings. Plus this still gives us a place to dive. (yeah, I'm selfish, whatever)
Okay Sounder, commence with your "reef balls" jokes....
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Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
I'm not so much opposed to the piling removal as I am opposed to the removal of what has become thriving marine habitat. The dolphin at Harper's wasn't just a playground for divers, it was a living community in its own right, and it has been destroyed and nothing put in its place to support the life that was there. That's what I don't like.
Dave
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
Re: Harper's Fishing Pier
Amen.....I think that is how everyone feels.