Anyone have any ideas on how I nearly drowned my Disco??
Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:10
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Barney NSW
Folks,
Does anyone have any clues here?
This year, I was driving the
Gibb River Road and a crossing of the Pentecost was on the way. It had recently rained, and the river was noticeably higher than any photos I had seen of it. However, traffic was still coming thru so I knew the crossing must be OK in theory. There were two vehicles in the party, but at that point we were not together.
I decided not to walk the 100/150 metre crossing, due to warning of salties and proceeded to cross in low first.. The
water quickly cam up to tyre height, which was a concern, and then began to lap over the front of the bonnet. A real concern!!!!! We still had 30 metres or so to go and if it got deeper we'd had been real stuck.
We did get out, shaken and stirred, to see some freshies glide past the exit. at least, that's what we though they were....
The twist? I asked another car at the next
lookout how he had faired... the answer,
water hardly up to the centre of the
wheels. Likewise our second car had the same story, low
water. I know I'm not going mad because we have our crossing on video, but can't explain the apparent (or rather real) change in
water levels.
Any ideas???
Barney
Reply By: Peter Guy - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:15
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:15
You probably were in a wheel rut or deep hole that the others missed!
AnswerID:
79741
Reply By: Member Eric - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:17
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:17
well 2 things , you crossed not on the same path as others , you probably looked for the carmer
water , this is a common mistake , as this is usually the deepest spot , also going to fast or slow is also a issue , you need to create a bow wave and keep it at a distance of 1/2 to 1 meter away from you . Cheers
AnswerID:
79742
Reply By: Peter 2 - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:39
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:39
From memory the crossing is at or near the tidal limit so may have been affected by a high tide backing up the
water coming down after rain.
Always best to fit a blind if in doubt. The disco should easily handle bonnet depth.
AnswerID:
79748
Reply By: just - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:43
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:43
It was many years ago that I was there (mid 90s), but if my memory serves me correct the river is tidal where you cross.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: just - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:47
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:47
And they have BIG tidal variations up there!
FollowupID:
339124
Reply By: Barney NSW - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:45
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 16:45
Peter - that sounds an interesting theory..... (not doubting the other two gents) as it would explain what seemed to be quite a siginificant difference in crossing conditions. The base of the crossing was rocky-ish which made me think it may not be tyre-ruts etc.
Any other thoughts??
Thanks,
Barney
AnswerID:
79750
Reply By: stemo - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 18:32
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 18:32
Barney
You did not mention when you were there. The area had consistent rain through May and most of the rivers and creeks were carrying more than normal. Gibb Rd was closed at a few crossings for a few intermitent days.
You were right not to walk across, two large salts have been seen up stream. Its one of the many peacful
places that can, if you are not careful, lull you into a false sence of dreamtime.
Normally up stream has been for the Fresh and down stream for the Salts but the salts have moved above the crossing now for some time.
I think Peter has the right answer. More than normal rain for the time of the year(what's normal) and a high tide affect.
Stemo
AnswerID:
79766
Reply By: Willem - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 20:09
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 20:09
Never ever drive in to unchartered waters without checking the depth first. If in doubt(such as croc concern) wait until someone else comes along and see where they drive. Usually there is someone on the road within an hour or so.
I will go with Peter on the tidal theory as the Pentecost x-ing has from memory a hard rocky base
AnswerID:
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Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 23:31
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 23:31
The other guys probably ran over the salties, which explains why the crocs were a little annoyed and made their presence known when you went across LOL
AnswerID:
79835
Reply By: duncs - Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 00:05
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 00:05
A mate and I once watched three other cars drive across the Cowmung River near Kanangra in the Blue Mountains. The first had
water just above the top of the
wheels, the second was above that by about three inches and the third, a tray top cruiser had gear floating around on the tray.
I crossed and had no problems, top of the wheel arch at the most. When my mate went in he was doing fine till about half way across when the front right fell in a hole. The resultant wave down the side of the Range Rover was faster than the electric window and filled his lap with very cold
water. It was pretty funny from where I stood.
All vehicles crossed within about three feet of each other, it's a narrow causeway the depth varied by about 6 to 8 nches.
The twist is that about 2 weeks earlier my brother had crossed the same causeway in a bog standard Subaru
Liberty, and he left the windows down.
Duncs
AnswerID:
79842