Anchor Recovery

[Vinny]

I've spoken with a few unfortunate folks who have lost anchors.

If you had a GPS, you could store the waypoint. Then you could come back at a later date to recover the anchor with SCUBA gear.

I haven't talked to anyone regarding diving in the Columbia, or the mouth of a tributary. Are there inherent dangers? What about visibility and water current speed?

I've done ocean dives with a current (kinda of a free ride).
On just normal boat dives the anchor line is always a good starting / return point.

Is it feasible (safe) around here to go down an anchor line in search of a lost anchor? . . . or is it just more trouble than an anchor is worth?

[birdhunter]

I've free dove for anchors more than I'd like to admit. While it is possible to do, depending on your ability, in even very cold and swift water, I wouldn't reccommend it to most people. SCUBA would be the way to go. I've done a lot of the smaller rivers and if you really know what you are doing then good luck to you. Plenty of anchors, rods, lures and lead on the bottom to keep anyone busy.

The Columbia is really tricky. Almost always extremly limited visibility and LOTS of weird currents. Bring plenty of weight and hug the bottom. You'll want a line to go up and down. You'd better be really good at underwater navigation too. You won't be able to see much of anything. Dive with a buddy, keep someone up top with markers to watch out for boats and be really really careful.

Personally the Big river probably isn't worth it, but as I'm still young and stupid....Just be safe.

[ampersat]

i guess if your anchor was made of gold, it would be worth it. i just can't imagine risking one's life for one. to me, it's not what you stand to gain but what you stand to lose that matters in this case. sandy, clack, other medium to small rivers - no problem. the big river - no way.

[Vinny]

If you take the time to reduce the risks in an activity which would superfically appear dangerous, the activity can be done quite safely.

Reducing risk is done by education, planning, experience, and having emergency, and precautionary procedures in place (such as putting on flotation prior to going out on the water).

On the surface (pun intended ) I would have thought that the larger slower water would be safer. Factors such as "weird currents," deep water and really low visibility (just a few feet) certainly change the reality of the situation. Nonetheless it seems that the faster tributaires would offer risks such as large submersed hazards in which one could get tangled more readily due to faster water.

Speaking of water speed, are many of the west side tributaries slow waters?

Anyone else have experience in diving any of the rivers?