Tidying up the Medina River

by John and Anne Olden

We’re lucky to have river gauges to know when there’s enough water to make the drive to Bandera worthwhile. Fortunately, there had been rain in the Hill Country in the weeks leading up to the cleanup. The Medina goes down quickly, but at 385 cfs on the gauge there was enough water. HCC was assigned to clean a four mile section from Peaceful Valley Road to Ranger Crossing, the first roadside park. However, the five of us – the Peerys, Oldens and Joe Clemens – decided we wanted to paddle more than four miles. So on Saturday morning we quickly completed cleanup registration in Bandera City Park, then left for Camp Bandina Crossing. This would add four more miles to our day.

Joe manages to carry trash even in a touring kayak

We didn’t clean this first stretch, which was assigned to another group. The Medina has clear water, with tall cypress and other trees shading much of the river. Although wide in places, the river has an intimate feeling. With no other people around, we had the quiet all to ourselves. However, don’t become complacent. The next bend may have a narrow chute with trees or stumps in the river. At one such place we encountered a small tree completely bent over into the river. We were able to eddy out above it and walk our boats past.

The low water crossing at Peaceful Valley Road was the beginning of our cleanup section. There is very little trash in this river. Debris is generally from a flood sweeping away items left seemingly well above the river. This means large items like pieces of metal buildings and parts of boats. Shortly below Peaceful Valley Road is Stewart Falls. This four foot drop on river left has changed. There is a large debris pile at the top right of the falls. Nevertheless, Cliff and John ran the falls successfully, dropping into the very aerated water below. The righthand channel is now considerably wider, but there was not enough water to paddle over the drop at the end of it. Joe, Marilyn and Anne paddled down the right channel, then walked their boats over roots back down into the river.

The family which owns the land here has put in considerably more concrete on river left, presumably in an effort to stop erosion of the left bank. However, the river is clearly working on a new channel to the left of its present course. The river continues to surprise with turns and trees in the way. Cliff is a serious cleaner and captured a very large piece of metal which he folded to carry on the front of his canoe. By the takeout we had about five bags of trash, a six foot length of PVC, a golf club and Cliff’s metal sheet.

We showered at the Pioneer RV park where we camped, then walked under the bridge to dinner in the park. There was brisket, ribs and chicken, homemade salads, fresh fruit and delicious brownies, accompanied by water, wine or beer. After dinner the Mesquite Trio plus bass entertained. Awards were given for most outrageous trash found on the river. Among the items contending were an old floor buffer, part of a rear projection TV, and a large torpedo-shaped pontoon. First prize went to Spring Woods Canoe Group from Houston, led by Susan Eda and Pat Isley. They collected an entire aluminum boat and carried it on two canoes lashed together. Quite a feat!