Bridgeport to Bignotti Google Map

Above is a screenshot of the Google Map of the Bridgeport-to-Bignotti stretch.  We were able to convert the Garmin "gdb" file into a "kml" file to upload to Google Maps. Originally, we put up a dynamic embedded map in this blog post.  We quickly learned that some older computers would not load up the map.  (You can click here to go to the interactive version of the map.)

We recorded 14 waypoints. Three were near the put-in and two at the takeout so there are 9 points of interest within this total stretch. There were two portages.   A screen shot of the actual Garmin track map is below.  Once again, we are not embedding this map as it wrecks havoc with older computers.  However, you can click here to see it if your computer can handle it.

There are quite a few interesting things to note on the track map.  First is how the actual track deviates from the mapped river channel.  Also note that the actual satellite photo of the map shows a much more accurate location of the river channel than the plain vanilla map does.  Second, locate the area of the total channel blockage and see how we walked hither and yon scouting this area.  It was a puzzling and perplexing piece of river!

The Garmin data can also be placed into Google Earth.  One can then "fly" the river at any altitude to get a much better 3-D visual concept of the area.  The project goal is to put the data into GIS format to produce a PDF that can be downloaded and printed.  These maps are for "interim working purposes."  We hope that both the Google Map and the GIS formats can be used simultaneously.  It is much quicker and easier to amend and annotate a Google Map than a GIS map--at least within the context of this project.  Actual river users would be able to email in comments about current conditions that could be quickly edited into the online maps.

Bridgeport to Bignotti

We GPS'd and described the Bridgeport to Bignotti stretch as planned on January 28, 2011.  The on-river time was approx. 3 hours.  We will be posting up the photos and a Google Map of the waypoints soon.

First Field Work

Here are the conditions for the first day of field work on the guide project. The water is very low--84 cfs at Verde-Clarkdale. The mean for this day is 251 and the 1967 lowest all time flow on this date was 74 cfs.

Temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-60's under mostly sunny skies and calm conditions.

We plan to paddle from the VRG Bridgeport RAP on river right upstream from the Hwy 89A bridge to either the Forest Service Black Canyon or Bignotti RAP. We will scout the Bignotti road first to make sure it is suitable for a normal clearance vehicle today.

The plan will be to meet Joshua Wheeler at the Wal-Mart parking lot in late morning, perhaps around 11 am. Susun McCulla will be the shuttle driver and will remain in cell phone contact nearby during the trip.

Electronic gear carried will be: a Garmin 60Csx GPS, a Garmin Etrex GPS, a Samsung Digimax S500 digital camera, and RCA VR5320R digital voice recorder and a T-Mobile cell phone.

Our prior field experiences in river guide data collection has shown written notes to be ineffective. Therefore, no writing materials will be carried. All field notes will be taken by the digital voice recorder and uploaded as MP3 files to the computer.

The Canoe

Our first choice for a canoe with which to conduct the field work was an Old Town Discovery. This was the canoe we used for the 2007 field work on the Verde Paddle Guide between Tuzigoot and Bridgeport. Three people made inquiries "high and low" hither and yon around the Verde Valley and could not locate the canoe. It simply disappeared.

Luckily, AZSP loaned us a Mad River Explorer 14 foot boat. This canoe is no longer sold by Mad River but its specs are still shown on the Mad River website. You can click here to see them.

The Explorer is what we like to call a "compromise boat." It's not a whitewater canoe, per se, and it's probably not your best choice for paddling a wide open large lake or reservoir. Mad River says it's well suited to "confined" waterways. That pretty much describes the Verde River.

The boat is very heavy, weighing in at 72 pounds! There are two real good things about the boat--its hull material and length. It should turn OK and the hull will take a major beating on the rock-studded river bottom.

Kudos to FOVRG

The Friends of the Verde River Greenway (FOVRG) is the lead organization in the Verde River Guide Project. Chairman Chip Norton is providing full support for the project. He has shown great personal interest in the project and gone the extra mile in obtaining a GPS unit and eventual GIS mapping support. You can click here to visit FOVRG's website. THANKS, Chip & FOVRG, we're proud of you!

Thanks to Arizona State Parks Staff

Many thanks are due to Arizona State Parks Staff at Cottonwood's Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Ranger Max Castillo has been a stanch and dedicated "Friend of The Verde" for many decades. He goes far above and beyond the call of duty to support volunteer and civic efforts on behalf of the river. Max unhesitatingly loaned one of his pet Garmin GPS units to help collect data for this project.

On January 27th, Dead Horse Manager George Christenson and Volunteer Coordinator/Ranger Eric Buzonas responded immediately to a request to borrow a canoe to begin field work. We are so thankful for their support and efforts.

It is a pleasure to visit and work with the dedicated Staff at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Thanks, guys, we sure appreciate you!

Verde River Guide Blog Created

This blog was created by John Parsons at 7 am, January 28, 2011, in Rimrock, Arizona. The purpose of this blog is to have a place to post various activities processes regarding the creation of a recreational guide for paddlers on teh Verde River between Bridgeport and Beasley Flats.

The first field work on this guide will begin today between Bridgeport and the Bignotti RAP.