BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Norman Leet of North Avondale cleans his boat at Four Seasons Marina.
(Ernest Coleman photo)
| ZOOM |
|
Thursday, general manager Keith E. Koerner was turning away business at Watertown Yacht Club in Dayton, Ky.
At least 30 boaters from distant communities called to see if they could tie up there to watch the Fourth of July fireworks.
He's telling them to stay home and off the river. "We're open but we wouldn't recommend it."
Debris and a racing current have made the Ohio River so treacherous that no one is leaving their slips at Watertown.
The river is dangerous not only for boating, but for other recreational uses as well. For the third consecutive week, the Ohio River water quality index has reached "unhealthful" levels, the Cincinnati Health Department reported Thursday.
The latest water quality reading was 30.5. Any reading above 30 is considered unhealthy.
The index tracks the level of coliform bacterial pollution in the river, which usually is caused when combined sanitary and stormwater sewers overflow and allow raw sewage to reach the river. While no threat to treated drinking water, the bacteria increases health risks for recreational users.
Barring heavy rains Saturday, the National Weather Service predicted a continuous fall in the Ohio River level: 42.5 feet today, 34.1 Saturday, and 30.5 feet Sunday.
If the river continues to fall as predicted, Mr. Koerner will consider taking his 32-foot cruiser out Saturday, but only after assessing the debris and the current.
"Even then, if I feel any trepidation, I'll come back."
Similar caution prevailed across the river at Harbour Towne Yacht Club on the Kellogg Avenue where the Little Miami meets the Ohio.
Don Reinhold, an owner, said none of his fellow boaters were putting their boats out with all the debris in the water. "Some of those logs out there are tremendous."
Downstream, Four Seasons Marina was crowded with boats but virtually unpopulated.
"People'd be nuts to take their boats out," assistant manager Mark Hemsath said.
Instead, a few sponged down their boats.
Tom Keane, of Anderson Township, said he'd leave his 47-foot powerboat moored until the river clears.
It could cost $2,500 in service charges and repairs if he broke a propeller on unseen debris. He said as lovely as the weather was, that was too high a price.
As to whether anyone should be on the rivers, Mr. Keane said, "They're nuts if they do."
