Front Fails To Fill The Rain Guage

Halloween 2005 comes in on a really nice note with lots of sunshine this afternoon with highs into the low 70s.
As I look at this kind of forecast for trick-or-treaters I remember back to the "good old days" when most Halloweens in the upper Midwest were pretty cold. Most years the costume of choice was a heavy coat, gloves and a rubber mask. The moisture from your breath would condense on the inside of the mask and drip on your face or down your neck which would add an extra chill to the annual candy drive. Only occasionally would we have a "warm night" with temps in the 60s. So if you had a great costume, most of the time it had to be kept under wraps.
Even a skeleton could keep warm with numbers like we're looking at the next two weeks. That's right two weeks! A weak front will pass through the area tomorrow with only spotty showers associated with it. But no big plunge in temperatures behind it. In fact much of the next two weeks will be spent at or above 70 which will be 8 to 10 degrees above normal through the period.
This is the time of year when we can see some tricks weather-wise, so we'll stay on guard for any rapid changes that could spell severe weather. November leads us into a secondary severe weather season in the Tennessee Valley. Until something comes knocking at our door, it's best to enjoy the weather treats that are dished out.

Frosty Mornings, Sunny Afternoons, Gradual Warming

I'm not sure what's up with Blogger today. Seems pictures won't go through. Maybe I'll get one posted later this morning.
Even though I'm picture-less today, the weekend weather looks picture perfect.
Airshow Chattanooga 2005 takes to the skies Saturday and Sunday and I'm sure the pilots will appreciate the "severe clear" conditions high pressure will provide. The Blue Angels are certainly worth checking out if you've never seen them in action.
Winds will be very light throughout the weekend which is a very good thing considering how dry we are.

• Since January 1st we are 5.60" below normal
• Since September 1st we are 4.52" below normal
• Since October 1st we are 2.13" below normal

Saturday night we set the clocks back to Standard Time and get an extra hour of sleep. I don't know about you, but I could really use it. And I'll be glad to catch 40 extra winks this weekend.

Enjoy the weather this weekend! Hopefully we'll catch some rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Colors Pop As Temps Drop

This picture was taken last weekend in the Shawnee National Forest. The reds were really vibrant and the golds were outstanding in the October sunshine.
We're starting to see the mountains being painted with nature's brush in a dazzling way right now. Earlier in the season there was concern because of the dry weather. But I once interviewed a tree expert from the Cherokee National Forest who said, "Weather present is more important than weather past." The point being that wet or dry seasons are not as important as the conditions when the leaves are actually changing. For brilliant color you need warm sunny afternoons, and clear chilly nights. And viola! Primo color.
And as long as we don't get a lot of rain or wind we should see the peak change last awhile. I've been noticing some very nice color popping here at home the last few days driving around.
This may be the best weekend to get out and enjoy Fall foliage. Look for full sunshine Friday and Saturday afternoons. And mostly sunny skies Sunday afternoon. Lower 60s for highs today and Friday. Mid 60s on Saturday. Near 70 for Sunday. Partly cloudy and 73 for trick-or-treaters on Monday.
We have a ton of Fall Foliage information on WRCB-TV3's website. Check it out at: http://www.wrcbtv.com/news/news.cfm?DID=15297

Summer Color Fades, Fall Color Cranks Up

I have to apologize for my photography skills on this one. The cluster of flowers was just a little too close to the camera to come out clearly. Batteries were waning, and I didn't take the time to look closely at the image on the tiny lcd screen. So when I got home, "Rats!". I wasn't sure whether to post it or not. I decided to go ahead as the color of these flowers was really what I wanted to show. And I think that comes across quite well. Besides if I really want to get artsy, I could say I shot them out of focus to give the picture a Monet quality. (The smaller picture is a lame attempt at using the image software on this computer to create an impressionistic image. My 7th grade art teacher Ned Nesti would be ashamed at this creation, but might be amused that I at least retained some appreciation for French Impressionism.)
Anyway, Summer seems to have been swept away as abruptly as one season can be. Highs last week were well into the 80s. And yesterday we only made it to 53 officially in Chattanooga. Today we'll struggle once again to end up in the low 50s. The last time we had back to back highs in the 50s was March 18th and 19th, 2005. On the 18th we went to 57, on the 19th 58.
Lows should drop into the upper 30s in the city the next 3 or 4 days. That should erase the summer colors and get the Fall reds and oranges to really pop. I know there's been some concern over Autumn being rather drab here. But this past weekend I was traveling between Southern Illinois and here. And the color is great between Nashville and Illinois. In past years I've noticed that those areas peak about 1 to 2 weeks ahead of the trees around here. The only problem is, I saw quite a few leaves falling quickly up there. So we might see a shorter burst of color this year. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post some snapshots in the next few days.
By the way Batman has left the building. (See the Sept. 9th post for details on my garage dwelling forecaster.)

"Wilma" - Jaw Dropping Part 2.

Above the tranquil pics from "Kayak For Conservation".

When I came in this morning I was stunned by the updates from the National Hurricane Center. A series of updates on the strengthening storm. Then the special update touting the unbelievable 892 mb pressure. AND THEN.......the 5am advisory:"Air Force Reconnaissance Plane Reported 884 mb the lowest minimum pressure ever measured in a hurricane in the Atlantic Basin." 24 hours previously Wilma had been a 70 mph tropical storm. This morning 175 mph sustained with gusts over 200! Amazing! 8 am advisory 882 mb!!!
Here's the new list:

1. Wilma 882 mb 2005
2. Gilbert 888 mb 1988
3. Labor Day 892 mb 1935
4. Rita 897 mb 2005
5. Allen 899 mb 1980
6. Katrina 902 mb 2005

I remember watching the satellite images of Gilbert come in when I was working at WSIL-TV. And at the time I thought I'd never see a storm that strong in my lifetime. Those giants just don't occur that often. This year we've had three. Water temps control hurricane strength and the water is warmer, and warmer longer. Last April my dive buddy Jorge told me he had been diving in Cozumel all his life. The water is warm there all year long these days, and it's never been like that before.

Near record highs for us the next two days. Front blows through Friday night and early Saturday with some scattered showers and a few storms. Then sharply colder this weekend.

Wilma will be a doozy of a storm to watch.

Yo - Yo - Yo....The Up And Down Weather Rap

A few more images from Saturday's Kayak For Conservation. Ahhhhhh! Basking in full sunshine the past few days has lulled us into believing October is a tranquil month. But things are about to bounce up and down faster than a Duncan Butterfly. (I actually never had one. I think my brother Phil had a goldish one. My yo-yo was the glow in the dark Duncan. Verrry cool with a black light.) Anyway - The yo-yo went down yesterday morning to frosty levels across the Tennessee Valley. Now Mother Nature is yanking the string back up and we'll be close to record highs the next 3 days.

• Day Forecast High Record High
• Mon 82 85 in 1953
• Tue 84 87 in 1938
• Wed 86 88 in 1941

Then the Duncan drops down this weekend with highs Saturday in the low 70s, but we may see highs only in the 60s Sunday and Monday. And with some wind that will feel pretty brisk.

Now yo, yo, yo. Where'd I stash my heavy jacket-o?

Blue Skies Roll On, Then Here Comes The Heat

More pics from this weekend's paddle.
Quick post this evening. We had patchy frost around the area this morning, but with full October sun most areas bounced back into at least the low 70s.
Big time warming for the week ahead, and we should find ourselves flipping the AC back on by Wednesday afternoon. Then a fairly strong front moves through late Friday into Saturday. Highs next weekend back into the upper 60s to low 70s. And hopefully a shot of rain too.

Wow Whatta Weekend!

Quick Sunday night post just to say wow. Anyone who's from or been to Texas probably knows the fast food chain Whatta-Burger. So let's salute big burgers and great weather in one mouthful and say Whatta-Weekend. I'm declaring this past weekend as The Best Weekend of 2005. If you have any nominations for number two, I'm all ears. But this one couldn't be beat.
There were a couple of small brush fires on Sunday. One on Elder Mountain that could be seen from downtown Chattanooga. Things are mighty dry around here. Since Sept. 1st we are 3.28" below normal. And I don't see any real prospects for rain in the next 4, possibly 7 days. So the pile of sticks and limbs behind the fence will have to wait to be burned.
Some frosty places along the Tennessee / North Carolina border in the morning. Kids at the bus stop will want a jacket Monday morning as we drop to around 44 in the city.
Look for a big time warmup Wednesday and Thursday with highs at least into the low 80s, but there may be quite a few mid 80s. (We could have a wild down turn next weekend.)

Delete This? No Way.

Kayak for Conservation was a huge success as around 50 paddlers took to the river Saturday to support the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.
This was a first for me. I have been whitewater rafting on the Ocoee and in Alaska. I've paddled an inflatable "funyak" on the Hiawassee and Nantahala Rivers. And I've spent a couple of summers canoe camping in Canada. But I've never been in a sea kayak before. It was awesome.
Many thanks to Rock Creek Down Under, Chattanooga OutVenture, and Lotus Designs/Patagonia for making this event come together and run so smoothly.
I'm going to post quite a few pictures in the coming days for anyone who stops by to check out because I think this is an untapped recreational opportunity that a lot of folks around here would really enjoy. And it's right here and not an hour away.
Don't get me wrong I really enjoy getting over to the paddling/rafting opportunities east of Chattanooga. It's just that it seems harder and harder every year to get away for a day or two to enjoy those places. I'm always pulled in another direction like yardwork that eats up enough time where going to the Ocoee is a bit impractical. But a quick trip around here could fit in with a hectic schedule for a lot of people.
Today's skies were as blue as you can get. And there was just a slight breeze out of the north. Just enough to knock down the sun's powerful rays. For a moment or two I would pause mid stream and take a picture or two. And for the first time in a couple of weeks I felt truly relaxed. (That's quite a moment when something inside you says, "Hey this is what it's all about.") Another amusing moment hit me about the same time. You see when you take a picture with my little digital camera, it politely asks you, "Delete This?". At the time I was admiring the image of the blue skies, and the Tennessee River Gorge I had just captured. Delete This? No way. With the camera, the way to save an image is to patiently do nothing. Just don't touch any buttons and the view is saved. Too bad it's not that way in the real world. Do nothing and The Gorge is saved.
Thankfully there are those who did something. Those who didn't wait for someone else to act. Those who created the River Gorge Trust years ago so we have the "Grand Canyon Of Tennessee" to enjoy today. And thankfully there are so many folks who keep working on that mission today.

Woolly Worms And A Really Nice Weekend

Many of us could take this kind of weather alllllllllllllll year long. I know I could. I haven't been as diligent with the backyard recently so last evening and today I tackled that mess. Plenty of sticks and some bigger stuff that required getting the chain saw out. But it was very comfortable to chop and mow in shorts.
On my way back into the garage I noticed the first woolly worm of the season so I grabbed the phone and snapped his picture. At first he wasn't all that enthused about having his picture taken, but this little guy soon stretched out along the ruler I set up on the top of the car. As you can see about 3/4" of his body was brown right in the middle. The folklore says Woollys have 13 bands that correspond to the 13 weeks of winter, from December to March. The darker the band, the colder and snowier the weather. Soooooooooooo, this little feller seems to be saying a brief cold start to an otherwise mild winter. And his furry forecast would indicate a chilly finish to the season.
I have always wanted to go to the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, North Carolina. It's this weekend.
Check out what's going on over there at this link: http://woollyworm.com/index.php
I hope you get to enjoy the outside this weekend. The weather looks great here.

• Saturday - Mostly Sunny 79
• Saturday Night - Clear and Chilly 45
• Sunday - Sunny Skies 76
• Sunday Night - Clear and Chilly 46
• Monday - Lots of Sunshine 77

A Few Treasures And A Real Weather Prize

You never know what you'll see in the Tennessee River. The pile of junk that local divers pulled out of the river on Oct. 1st shows how bad things are. But every once in awhile there's an item or two that's kind of neat. On Sunday members of the CUDA club spent some time underwater near the Veteran's Bridge. Some unusual bottles were found, along with a rather interesting bowl, an old Log Cabin bottle, AND two anchors. One of them got tangled up and the owner broke the rope. The other anchor ended up in the river the way many probably do. Boat owner to deck hand/friend, "O.K., this is where we're stopping. Do you mind dropping that anchor over the side?" Deck hand/friend, "No problem." SPLASH! Boat owner, "Ummm was that anchor tied down?" Deck hand/ex-friend, "Oops. Nope."
I hate to admit it, but it was a little stuffy in the house last evening so I turned the AC back on. I would rather have the windows open, but I sleep better with the air on. (And on this shift sleep is crucial.) Yesterday Chattanooga went to 82. Today and Friday we should go into the lower 80s again. We should be 73! A front will push through Friday night into early Saturday morning without rain and meager cooling. Look for highs in the mid to upper 70s Saturday through Monday.
So the weather is the real prize in this forecast treasure hunt even if it is warmer and drier than average.
By the way the average 1st frost in Chattanooga is Oct. 21st. The average 1st freeze is Nov. 1st.

Things That Go Bump In The Night & Bass Tales

When the phone rings in the newsroom after midnight something's up. Especially when it rings more than once and the callers are from the same area. This morning it was the earthquake. And one woman was either a light sleeper or was awake at the time. And she has an accurate clock. "I think we had an earthquake here in Niota. It happened at 2:27." You are correct. 3.3 magnitude 3 miles west southwest of Niota, TN at 2:27 am. (I wonder if she works for the USGS?) Small earthquakes in the Tennessee Valley happen more often than you think....or notice. According to the USGS here's a list of small earthquakes in the area just since April:

1. This morning 3.3 Niota, TN
2. 10/1 1.6 Vonore, TN
3. 8/23 1.6 Sweetwater, TN
4. 6/27 2.5 Tellico Plains, TN
5. 6/20 1.2 Niota, TN
6. 6/08 2.6 Franklin, NC
7. 6/08 2.3 Benton, TN
8. 5/24 1.7 Vonore, TN
9. 5/24 1.9 Charleston, TN
10. 5/23 2.3 Niota, TN
11. 4/14 2.8 Vonore, TN

I'm not sure how to transition from things that go bump in the night to bass tales, but here goes:

Pictured above are some of the bass I bumped into on Sunday in the Tennessee River. They seemed to be amused by our underwater exploration. But when I think about their behavior, I'm sure it was motivated by their stomachs more than anything. When you stir up the bottom, here comes the bass. And I think they're trying to scarf up whatever was hiding in, under, or around the old bottle or can you pick up. (More on that in tomorrow's post.)

Weather-wise it's the same old for the next couple of days. Morning fog, warm afternoons and no rain. A front will come through Friday night with a slight chance for an isolated shower or storm, but general rains are not likely. Mostly sunny and cooler this weekend. Enjoy!

Bobbing Up And Down - But Not A Big Dive

Members of the CUDA club got together for a quick dip in the Tennessee River on Sunday. The water temperature was 74 which was warm considering the cool and breezy air temperature.
The cloudy skies made for a bit of a murky dive so Doug's headlamp probably lit up his dive very well. My dive buddy Ricky brought two lights so we could see the fish and other objects pretty well. To give you an idea of the visibility, the underwater shot was taken from about four feet away. (Which was a lot better than the near zero visibility a week earlier during River Rescue 2005)
More on this dive later.
We'll be bobbing up and down temperature-wise the next few days like we were bobbing up and down in the river. But the next drop in temps looks like a quick dip and not a big dive in numbers.
For example, while highs will be in the upper 70s to low 80s across the area through Friday, I would look for highs to drop into the upper 60s to near 70 this weekend. We should see highs around 74 these days. And overnight lows still don't go to frosty levels just yet. The average date of the first frost in Chattanooga is October 21st. And the average date of the first freeze is November 1st.

"Frog Days" are Over, Hello Tom Jones Weather?

Julie Caylor of Dalton, GA sent this picture in. She says the "Frog Days" of summer are over. Look closely that's some kind of tree frog that has taken up residence in that bluebird box. Maybe he's onto something. We had a wet summer this year thanks to the tropics. The latest system was "Tammy's" remnants moving through. (Which is unrelated to the showers we're seeing this morning.) When you add it all up, 6 tropical systems brought rain to the area. In fact if my math is correct, 26% of the rain from June 1st to today was due to tropical storms.

1. Arlene .74"
2. Cindy 1.59"
3. Dennis 3.47"
4. Katrina .42"
5. Rita .89"
6. Tammy .73"

So maybe our frog above was merely seeking higher ground.

Expect some wide swings in temps the next several days. After only 64 in Chattanooga yesterday, look for highs at least into the lower 70s today. Then 80 Tuesday, 83 Wednesday, and near 80 Thursday and Friday. But we may drop into the 60s for highs next weekend.

It's Fall and to borrow from the swingin' singin' Tom Jones, "It's not unusual to see (swings) like this."

Game Day Forecast

Around here Tuck Watts is known as "The Master Of Sound". He's also "The Graphic Meister". His design, my forecast for game time at Neyland. By the way Monday around here is going to be an ugly day. Half the staff (or more) bleeds orange, and guys like Tuck are Red and Black through and through. The water cooler will be an interesting place.

Glad(den) To Visit & Learn

Earlier this week I had the chance to visit Gladden Middle School in Chatsworth, GA. I went to talk about the weather, but as is often the case I ended up learning more than I taught.
On my way out the door Gladden's principal Dr. Maria Bradley asked if I had some time to take a little tour. Dr. Bradley is very proud of what's going on at her school and she should be. For example, she showed me the classrooms with white boards. This is the kind of technology I dreamed of as a kid. I was hooked on "The Jetsons", and white boards are something Elroy Jetson would be using. Basically what looks like a dry erase board has a computer screen projected onto it. And the teacher or student's finger is the mouse. It's amazing. And they can also take quizzes with remote controls. The results are displayed like the poll the audience segment on "Who wants to be a millionaire?". I decided I was born 40 years too late.
But they also have another bragging point at Gladden. Their steel band pictured above. They sound great and the students even let me play along on one number.
One of the things we talked about at Gladden was tropical weather and how busy this amazing hurricane season has been. This morning "Tammy's" remnants continue to soak the area, but for the most part it's a gentle soaking.
Our skywatcher in Varnell, Ga has picked up 1.8" so far. But just .31" so far here at Channel 3.
Rainfall will be with us periodically today, shutting off tonight. Then our weather turns cool and breezy into the weekend. I expect to see mostly cloudy skies Saturday with temps only making the mid and upper 60s across the area. Chilly Sunday morning with lows from 45 to 52 depending on elevation. Then fair to partly cloudy Sunday afternoon with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
Have a great weekend!

"Tammy" Makes It Clammy, Front To Slammy

This is another shot from a series of pictures I took back in July as a front had passed through Southern Illinois around sunset. I like the play of color and light on the clouds with the foreground trees in silhouette. Once in awhile you get lucky.
We're getting lucky once again with "Tammy's" remnants. Much needed rainfall is pushing northward into the Tennessee Valley this morning. This moves through today with a secondary slug of moisture coming up from a piece of "Stan" heading toward the Southeast U.S..
So here's the deal: Rainy periods today through Friday evening. But amounts are going to vary quite a bit from northwest to southeast. I would expect average rainfall amounts from 1/4" to 1/2" from Chattanooga and points northwest of the city. 1/2" to 3/4" from Fort Payne to LaFayette to Athens. 3/4"+ from Rome to Chatsworth to Etowah. More than 1" from Jasper, Ga to Ellijay to Andrews.
Friday night football fans should be dry west of I-75, but some showers will be possible east of there.
Then a great weekend ahead. Here's a comparison of the last 4 days and the next 4 days:

The Warm Stuff First

1. Sunday - 87
2. Monday - 85
3. Tuesday - 85
4. Yesterday - 86
   

The Cool Stuff Ahead

1. Today - 77
2. Friday - 68
3. Saturday - 70
4. Sunday - 72

So after "Tammy" makes it clammy, enjoy a dry and cool weekend ahead!

In A Chipper Mood Over Cooldown Ahead

Thanks to Don Turney of Ooltewah who sent in this awesome picture of a chipmunk in his front yard. Don must have a great camera to catch this little fella filling his cheeks.
There's a couple of chipmunks that live in our backyard. It's fun to watch them scurrying around throughout the day. There's acorns, and hickory nuts back there but we supplement the feedbag with corn. We put it out all year long and as a result we get to see squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons at night, and the occasional deer.
I've never heard any weather folklore with chipmunk references. Maybe because they're so small and quick.
At any rate I imagine Alvin and the rest of the chipmunks will be busy filling their cheeks today with warm highs into the mid 80s, ready to hunker down when it turns chilly this weekend. Morning lows will likely end up between 40 to 45 in the higher elevations and some spots away from the city. In Chattanooga, look for morning temps around 48 both weekend mornings. We should end up around 70 with sunny skies Saturday, mostly sunny and 73 on Sunday.
That should put most people in a chipper mood. Enjoy!

The Smell Of Fall Is In The Air

I took this picture last Fall near the "W" on the "W" Road on Signal Mountain. And although it hasn't felt like it recently, our temps are ready to dip to Autumn levels as a cold front blows through on Thursday. That should get the leaves to turning.
I'm not sure if it's going to effect the color potential any, but in my yard there's been quite a few leaves turning brown and falling off already. We really could use a shot of rain.
Yesterday afternoon was spent on round one of my annual war on leaves. I always seem to forget to mow first and then try to bag 'em up. So the first trip through the yard I tilt my head like a dog and look at the bagger and wonder how it gets so full so fast. Then the two watt bulb lights up in my head along with the voice of Homer Simpson saying, "Doh! Mulch first, then bag. Just like last year." Anyway there's always a feeling of satisfaction when I can look over a leaf-free yard smelling of gasoline, leaf dust, and wild onions.
Somehow though it's more satisfying to smell like Fall when it feels like Fall. And that will be the case this weekend.
After mid 80s Today and Tomorrow look for highs in the lower 70s Friday through the upcoming weekend. And this time the cooling may stick around well into next week. In fact the Climate Prediction Center says below normal temps could be around through the 18th of October. And one set of computer guidance even suggests a frost or even a freeze around the 19th!
So if you are planning a Fall foliage road trip in the days or weeks ahead, stop by http://www.wrcbtv.com . This morning we have posted links to Fall Color websites, and useful phone numbers to keep you up to date on peaking foliage and where to go and stay.

Is It Still October? Whew!

Here is another nice picture from Daniel Siller showing The Passage fountains. Ross's Landing and Coolidge Park were busy places this past weekend, with GoFest, The Memory Walk, and the TACA show going on. And wow was it warm.
I know it's early October, but 87 yesterday is a whopping 10 degrees above average. And we'll be very close to that for the next three days.
There is some relief by the end of the week. A front should push through ushering in some cooler air again.
The question is rainfall.
A tropical wave will be approaching Florida from the east the next couple of days. It's moving into an area that will be favorable for developing this wave into a named storm. The next name on the list is "Tammy". If that happens it will be the first time since 1995 we have had a "T" named storm. ("Stan" was named over the weekend and is located near the Yucatan peninsula. "Stan" should head into the central Mexican coast.) We'll watch this system to see how it impacts our rainfall amounts. As our front approaches, we should see at least some scattered storms Thursday and early Friday. But if this system develops and heads far enough north we may see higher rainfall amounts. This may be grasping at straws, but we really could use some soaking rain and all summer long our best rainfall amounts have been fringe effects from tropical systems. So we wait and see.
No matter what happens rain-wise, this time around the cooler temps should stick around into the upcoming weekend, and maybe well into next week.

River Rescue - A Great Job By A Lot Of People

More than 50 people came out for the underwater portion of this year's River Rescue. And it was a lot of fun. Nearly 40 divers were present along with shore support and those with boats. The weather could have been more sunny, but at least both the air and water temps were pleasant. This year's dive site was at the beach area on the upstream side of the Chickamauga Dam.
The usual collection of bottles, cans, and plastic cups were pulled out of the river today. Along with old tires, wire, and ropes. And surprisingly quite a collection of anchors including one that was made out of a 25 pound barbell weight.
Hats off to Greg Eiche of Choo Choo Diving & Aquatic Center, and Bob Weaver of Leisure Time Dive & Ski Center for helping to co-ordinate this great event. We're lucky to have both dive shops in town.
It will be interesting to see how much junk has been pulled out of the river and it's tributaries today. Around 1,000 volunteers worked the banks from the Shellmound Recreation Area at Nickajack to Mouse Creek in Bradley County today. And sadly, I'm sure it was a mountain of trash that was collected.

River Rescue II

I'm probably one of the least experienced divers in this crowd today. So it was fun to try and learn from so many people who are so willing to share their knowledge and experience.
I've been diving in the Tennessee River 3 other times before today. Each one a little different than the one before.

1. New Year's Day - Cold with a swift current.
2. Earth Day in April - Warmer, with less current. Better visibility.
3. August - Very warm, no current, great visibility, lots of fish.

Today was almost as warm the last time, but this was my first time diving upstream from the Chickamauga Dam. I had been told it was silty, but I was surprised by how murky the water could get. Ricky Boyd was a great dive buddy. And he came prepared with a dive light. My chin was literally inches from the bottom to see what was down there at times. As I was floating above this smooth bottom I was struck by the many holes you would see in the silt. Two things made me smile at that time. As I was floating just above the bottom barely kicking along, I could hear only the sound of my regulator. The calm pace of in and out. And for a second I felt like I knew what the Apollo astronauts must have felt as they floated between steps on the dusty lunar surface. "These tiny holes look like little craters.", I thought to myself. The other thing that made me smile was the tune "There's hole in the bottom of the sea" that popped into my head.

The very nature of collecting garbage of course stirred up more silt. And if it weren't for the mesh bag that Ricky and I were holding onto, I would have lost him as soon as we dropped down. It was thick. Our max depth was only around 27 feet. And at that point you would have thought it was a night dive. Some sunshine would have helped quite a bit.

All in all it was an awesome 50 minutes underwater. Most of the junk we brought to shore was bottles, cans, and plastic cups. A lot of plastic cups.

River Rescue III

The divers had a lot of support from folks who brought their boats to those who worked shore support.
Events like this are great for what can be accomplished on a single day. But the lasting impact is spreading the word and showing others what's being done to our natural resources. If we can make people just think before they toss something out the window or overboard, a large part of this battle with trash would be won. When it comes right down to it, I don't think anyone wants to play in a dump.
I'm not sure who's in charge of River Rescue slogans, but here's my nomination for 2006, "The Tennessee River: Enjoy It, Don't Destroy It."