Greta (Keswick) Tree Hazard

[callwild]

The current tree hazard on the river Greta is the worst I've ever seen it. At least three large trees blocking the main flow creating serious strainers for beginners.

One right at the start under 1st rail bridge, blocking 90% of river.
One just after bridge below first broken weir, which can collect any swimmers from rapid below the weir.
One large dead tree mid river by caravan site just above second weir.

There are also two sections where the main flow leads under very low branches which would be highly likely to capsize beginners, One in the main chute down second weir. This has always been there but has become more prominent. In higher water can be avoided on left, but much rockier.
Another is on the last main rapid on entry to Keswick where there are rocky slabs with main flow on right under the branches. These can not be avoided in low to medium flows but when water is higher and they become more serious it is possible to keep far left over the rocks.

Another area which has been there for a while but which has got worse is the sharp sweeping corner just below a popular play spot 100m below The Wall corner.
Those with a poor roll or beginners upset by the small hole are quite likely to be swept into a series of three trees hanging in the main flow on the corner below.

All in all this has changed the character of what I used to regard as a safe introduction to grade 3 for beginners. Leaders of novice groups should be alert to these changes and take the appropriate care.
Would be worth a chainsaw gang if anybody feels worthy.
Stuart Miller

PS. Not a river to do in the dark at the moment !!

[Slime]

Just to back up Stuart's post.

LOTS OF TREES have come down in the last few weeks and are acrosss the river so the Greta (our local river) is now quite a bit more dangerous (especially to any swimmers) than you may remember it. It is likely to be a good level this weekend so enjoy but take care!

Anyone who you has any doubts should enjoy the top bit of the river and than take out at Brundlehome - the 4th railway bridge down - where there is easy road access.

If you are looking for a river as an introduction to WW for your group then a SAFER OPTION is probably the Upper Derwent - we use this for club intros and put in at GR255159 - above the Jaws of Borrowdale.

Pete Knowles

[steve t]

Are these trees still in place?

We're looking at taking a group there on the 25th, and would like to know if there will be a problem for our less experienced paddlers.



Thanks all,

Steve

[steve t]

Anything?

[callwild]

Sorry haven't been back on the river since my post, but some were pretty big and probably not moved.
They were all passable by beginners if group control is good and levels not too high.

[steve t]

Thanks for the update.

We'll have a pretty good ratio of experienced : beginners so we'll keep our eyes open.


Cheers
Steve

[Rdscott]

was on the greta today in high water, no blockages or strainers, nice paddle

[callwild]

was on the greta today in high water, no blockages or strainers, nice paddle

Yep can confirm that, the main blockages mentioned in earlier posts have now been removed or swept to the side, so main channel all clear just the usual branches at the edges.
Stuart

[geyrfugl]

Another area which has been there for a while but which has got worse is the sharp sweeping corner just below a popular play spot 100m below The Wall corner.

Those with a poor roll or beginners upset by the small hole are quite likely to be swept into a series of three trees hanging in the main flow on the corner below.

These are still there. At the level on the 25th (a few inches above the
white mark, but well below the fence post at the put-in, though it was
rising quickly towards the end of our trip), you can swim under these
(demonstrated), but could be a pain if a bit higher. They are all small
enough to cut through with the sort of pruning saw I carry as a routine
thing, but whilst I was looking to see if there was a landing, a large rock
slid down the steep bank and plopped into the river next to me, with a
shower of watery gravel. I think you'd need to drop down from above
on a rope ... there's really nowhere to land on this bank.

As others have said, the other blockages have moved enough not to
be much of an issue.

Andy