W.E.C.C. EXCURSION
SAVAGE’S CROSSING TO BURTON’S BRIDGE
On Sunday 8th July, a delightful sunny day, nine paddlers (five West-Enders and two each from Ipswich and Sandgate clubs) set out from the bridge at Savage’s Crossing to see first-hand how the 2011 flood had affected the Brisbane River near Fernvale. Normally a very picturesque part of the river, there were bound to be changes since flood reports of the time indicated that there were some 20 metres of raging water over Savage’s at the peak of the flood. Today, however, the flow has slowed significantly, following the reduction of the Wivenhoe Dam level to 75%.
What we found was quite a lot of damage to trees and shrubs along the way. There were a couple of log jams, the largest being a tricky one not long before Burton’s Bridge. The reduced flow meant more gravel exposed and the need to get out of our kayaks occasionally. Nevertheless the river still had a lot of its old charm. It was still a most enjoyable day. A long-time West-Ender, Mal Bryant took some photos for your information. Note, especially, the two shots of a gum tree with a large drum stranded high up in a fork.
