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May 15-- The water from the torrential rains that hit our area last weekend is finding its way down to the Potomac, and the water levels are very high, and the current is very fast. Rowing crews are not currently launching from the docks at TBC, and have instead packed up their boats and are rowing out of Anacostia.
To give a sense of scale, we normally get 10,000 cubic feet per second coming over Little Falls at this time of year. (median reading for the past 80 years). In only 20% of the years on record have we ever gotten over 20,000 cubic feet per second. As of right now, we are getting 95,000 cubic feet per second coming over Little Falls -- nine times the normal amount of water!
The water level will fall off somewhat but then rise again over the weekend as more rain arrives on Friday. (see forecast below). However, it will be an extraordinarily fast current, well above normal levels, which will be difficult to paddle and steer in. We have decided that it is not possible to run races safely nor fairly on the river this weekend. If conditions are as forecast, Thompson Boat Center would not allow us to launch boats. The Harbor Master from the DC Metropolitan Police Department has "wholeheartedly" recommended that we postpone the festival.
We have therefore decided to reschedule the festival. This was not an easy decision to make, as we know it will disrupt the plans that many of you, your friends, and family have been making for a long time. We know that many of you are traveling long distances-- even internationally-- to come to our festival. We realize that it will also require a massive effort on the part of the organizing committee to reschedule all of the many details that go into making this festival possible.
Preregistration, originally scheduled for this Friday, May 16th, has been postponed. We are tentatively planning on holding the festival on June 14th and 15th. This date is TENTATIVE, pending approval from the National Park Service. As soon as we receive approval, we will post this information on the website.
Cancellation Policy: Once we confirm the new festival date, there will be a period of one week during which teams may cancel their registration for this year's festival. Teams that cancel will have their registration payments (not including training fee) rolled forward to the 2009 festival. Because this cancellation was due to factors outside of our control, there will be no refunds provided.
Thank you for your understanding, and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience which this may cause.
-- The Festival Planning Committee |
