Mell What is a river sweeper?
SWEEPER – branches hanging low over or into water that can sweep a paddler from the boat. STRAINER – Often used to describe a sweeper under water.
Is it safe to kayak in rivers?
Kayaking on a flat water lake will probably have a low perceived risk. That particular river is normally quite easy to paddle on, so the perceived risk of danger was (presumably) low. But what many amateur paddlers don’t realize is how drastically the actual danger can increase when river levels rise.
What are sweepers and strainers?
One of the most dangerous obstacles you can encounter on a fast-moving river is a sweeper (sometimes called a strainer). A sweeper is a fallen tree that is partially or completely blocking passage on a body of water. Water flowing down the outside has a greater distance to travel, and speeds up. …
What is the difference between a sieve and strainer?
A sieve is a device that can be used to separate larger particles from smaller ones, while a strainer is a device that can be used to separate solid objects from liquid.
What are strainers called?
A strainer is really a catchall name for any type of, well, strainer. It is usually fine mesh and bowl-shaped, good for rinsing a pint of berries or draining pasta. A colander is typically a larger bowl-shaped strainer, often with bigger holes (although that’s not always the case).
What makes a strainer stop in the river?
A strainer is created by a manmade or natural obstruction such as a tree, root system, fencing, or guard rails. An obstruction allows water to pass through but stops and holds objects such as boats and people. Bouncing twigs may indicate a partially submerged strainer. Vehicles in the water are undercut strainers.
What do you need to know about a strainer?
A strainer is an obstruction in a river that only limited amounts water can pass through. The best way to think about a strainer is to visualise paddling down a section of river that is being pushed through a colander that has loads of holes in it but none of them are big enough for a person or boat to pass through.
What are the different types of river rapids?
GRADIENT – The steepness of the river bed, expressed in feet/mile (an average). RAPIDS – water flowing over an obstruction, causing turbulence. Most often formed by boulders below the surface. HOLES – water flowing over a ledge or rock creating a void, can trap objects held in the circulating flow/hydraulics created.