Water Under the Bridge

Recently, I was tossing comments with Tryan and he mentioned that someone lived a certain distance down stream from me. This reminded me that I hadn’t been on the river in a while. I got two kayaks about ten years ago, and I used them often, but about five years ago I started a big addition on my house which monopolized my time for about a year. Then two years later I started yet another major addition to the house, and then other things came up… However, I have yet to return to the river.

I’ve seen some wonderful things on every river I’ve been on in this county, but one thing stands out as the coolest unknown feature. I’ve never heard anyone ever speak of it.

First let me state that kayaking on the Columbia River is dangerous. I’ve seen rip tides where I was nearly propelled into pilings or sucked out to sea. There are all sorts of hidden dangers in and on that river. If you attempt to kayak the Columbia be sure to do it during slack tides and know when the tide changes.

This being said, when the tide is out one can take a kayak under the Astoria-Megler bridge. Not just under the bridge, but under the concrete foundation that support the main span. If you paddle out there is a current break in front and behind the concrete structure. The concrete structure is supported under the water by four posts that are on the bottom of the river. What looks like solid concrete from the shore is for lack of a better word, much less in reality. You can float under the concrete structure and once inside there is (if I remember correctly) a pentagon shaped opening that looks straight up to the steel work that holds the span. Once in there you are protected by an eddy from the current break. If you stay there too long the tide will trap you in there.

It is just an amazing place to be to contemplate the river and the bridge. If you ever do this trip, please be careful and don’t do it alone. Be sure to rear a life vest.