Submitted by buttonblanket t3_1246drq in newjersey
Don't know where to go for this, but if you have canoed at Round Valley reservoir, how were the waves?
My canoe doesn't sit very far above the water so I'm worried about strong waves splashing in.
Comments
buttonblanket OP t1_jdzk2mk wrote
Do you recommend staying close to the shore then? Or maybe the opposite? I'm very much so new to canoeing and I'm going camping at Round Valley in May, so I was going to train on assunpink til then.
Fragrant_Butthole t1_jdzwijg wrote
closer to shore is better.
buttonblanket OP t1_jdzypev wrote
I once had a friend go out on the lake in an inflatable mattress so I lied, I'm somewhat seasoned
Top_Ad5385 t1_jdy4lwb wrote
Yeah the water is very cold and deep and deceptively calm. A lot of rowers capsize and drown bc of the harsh cold.
Fragrant_Butthole t1_je03f7k wrote
idk who downvoted this but he's right. The local rescue squad is there frequently pulling people out of the water. Some people they don't ever find, just empty boats. It's nick named the bermuda triangle of NJ, there have been many articles and at least 1 tv show about it.
Just go ahead and Google "NJ bermuda triangle" if you think people are making it up.
Top_Ad5385 t1_je11yzh wrote
Yeah exactly
Sn_Orpheus t1_je2as7v wrote
Thanks for reinforcing this. Relatively new to area and was planning on doing some paddling there this summer. Now I know. JFC… The thought of getting caught on an underwater tree while going for a dive off the boat, Aiieeeeee!
Fragrant_Butthole t1_je2dcpc wrote
Merrill Creek is about 15 mins away from RV and its quite a bit more predictable as far as wind goes. Its a really nice place to paddle. Lots of little shallow coves right next to the launch, with shady trees to park under and have a rest if the time of day is right. I've never really had an "oh shit" moment there like at RV. They are privately owned and have some rules & regulations (no SUP, no kayak under 9 feet, etc) so check out their web page before you go.
Sn_Orpheus t1_je2ksus wrote
Hey thx! Looks like a nice smallish place on Google maps. I assume most boats are small 15-25hp fishing boats and not much noise/speed to deal with while in a kayak? Doesn’t look like a place fishing bros go with twin 250’s, lol. Still newish right NJ and still finding which lakes/reservoirs I can paddle in when I don’t want to drive to the shore so this’ll be nice addition👍
Fragrant_Butthole t1_je4u1xk wrote
electric motors only so they just put put around. very serene and safe. The dock master does not allow any nonsense and will ban people from the property if they are being dicks, have witnessed it.
Sn_Orpheus t1_je4ze81 wrote
Nice! Less (more like none!) motor oil going into the water as well👍👍👍
RivChk t1_je06a11 wrote
Wear your PFD at all times. No matter how warm the day is, no matter how calm the water is. You can always spot the hacks and novices because they’re sitting on theirs.
Also, you may want to join a canoe club. They run trips with seasoned paddlers. And trainings. I learned how to paddle fast moving water and how to rescue other boaters thru the Mohawk canoe club.
ryrypizza t1_jdzs0hb wrote
One time a friend and I attempted to kayak across it in two inflatable kayaks. One of us had a marine battery for our friend whose boat had died on the other side, and the other camping gear. When we got to the middle it was so choppy I honestly thought we were going to capsize. We eventually made it but it felt touch and go for a minute.
buttonblanket OP t1_jdztorh wrote
All these comments are doing a good job to dissuade me from going lol
ryrypizza t1_je05sv2 wrote
Hahaha. All of the issues I encountered would not have been issues if we had done ANY planning. So youve already done more than we have. Check the wind and just be aware the middle can get choppy and you'll probably be fine.
buttonblanket OP t1_je0j63v wrote
Oh that's a good question, what wind speed do say is a no go? Like for any canoeing
ryrypizza t1_je15e7a wrote
Honestly I couldn't say, this was the last time I kayaked and it was like 8 years ago. :). Wind seems to be pretty location specific here so I've got no particularly advice.
bgar91 t1_jdzgus9 wrote
Check out NJ Paddle on Instagram or Facebook. You’ll want to go when it’s warmer unless you have some thermal gear like a drysuit. The water temperature is still much colder than the air. May is when I would advise people that it’s safe.
Check the weather and the winds for the day. Round Valley is beautiful. Wear your PFD.
Check out neighboring lake Spruce Run. They are overcoming an algae bloom. The waters are rising again too from the precious drought.
gracious201 t1_je2xxhm wrote
We did a canoe trip to round valley maybe 6 years back and the wind and waves were certainly intimidating. We also had 2 dogs in the boat making it a bit unstable. But all in all, we didnt flip despite my anxiety that we might. It was super fun! If you are concerned, stay close to shore. Have fun!
Fragrant_Butthole t1_jdy1dh5 wrote
It can be really very rough if it's windy. I've gotten in trouble there a few times in my kayak. Never dumped, but definitely sketch. Winds there are amplified due to the bowl it rests in, so what feels like a calm day can be quite rough. It can be calm as glass and then within a few minutes waves are cresting with whitecaps. If you really want to check it out I would advise you to stick to the perimeter and be sure to wear your PFD, (wearing it, not just with you in the boat) and go on a calm day.