Snake River Power Lines

[stacy]

Does anyone know the height of the power lines at the snake river bridge in Islamorada fl? . Thanks, Stacy

[Mark Zarley]

Checked our paper charts and could not find a overhead power line at snake creek or whale harbour. There is a buried cable crossing listed at both locations. Whale harbour has a fixed bridge 12 ft so snake creek with a bascule bridge is for sure the SV route.

[stacy]

Thank you Mark! We will definately ck with the Coast Guard about the status of those lines before we enter Snake Creek! Stacy.

[JayH]

Snake Creek does have an overhead wire. I have a 68 ft mast and did not touch it. We called the Coast Guard and they did not know the height. Neither did the bridge operator. The power and phone companies would be a good thing to try if you have the time to navigate their bureaucracies. If you're close to 68 ft you should have someone on the bridge (like the operator) eyeball your clearance as you approach the wire.

[Intentional Drifter]

There is also a TowBoat dock/office literally right next to it. I bet they know. Their phone is 305-852-6451.

By the way, for excellent access to this sort of stuff, try out ActiveCaptain - The Interactive Cruising Guidebook - Marina Reviews, Fuel Prices, Anchorages

All sorts of excellent info, as well as NOAA charts with searchable locations. Great resource.

ID

[stacy]

JayH and Intentional Drifter, thanks for the info. we are members of Active Captain but didn't think to look for a towboat office. We called them and they thought the height was 72ft but they will recheck and let me know. When I have more info I will post it. We have a 69' mast and If the lines are power lines and are only 72' that is cutting it too close in case of arching as far as I'm concerned.

[Dave852]

Stacy,

I go through with a 71' mast at any tide. No one will tell you the exact height in our litigious world. You will pass over a 4 1/2' spot (dead low tide) just before entering the markers.

Dave

[Dave852]

PS. No arching as the wires close to your mast will be phone/cable. The power wires are way up there.

[stacy]

Dave852, thanks for the info. If your St Francis 50 can make it under then i feel confident our Leopard 46 can make it.

[David M]

I wonder if someone getting under the wire with a laser range finder would work?

[stacy]

Hello All, we contacted the Florida Keys Electric coop and Tj Patterson from member services wrote back and said that at MWL to the power lines at Snake Creek is 87 feet but to the lowest non- power line is 75 feet. This varies depending on tides, sag in line, thermal variances etc. These heights are not a guarantee and THE FKEC can not be held liable. TJ Patterson also send us the heights for Card Sound which is 88feet for lowest line at MWL and channel 5 which is 104 feet for electic line and 96 feet for lowest non-power at MWL. Hope that helps, thanks for all the input. Stacy

[Slow Dancer]

Has anyone sailed up the snake river in Washington? Any trouble with mast height?

[Sail power sail]

Stacy did you end up crossing under the lines? My wife and 4 of my daughters and I are sailing a leopard 44 from Miami down thru the keys in late November. Given the mast height of the 44, the only place to cross is snake creek or key west. Was curious as to your experience with anchorage on ocean side vs bay side.

We plan to anchor and not stay in marinas.

[stacy]

Yes we did cross under the lines at Snake Creek inlet without difficulty but this was back in 2010. We stayed at the Plantation Yacht Harbor for about 2 months and had a great time. We then left and anchored at Rodriquez Key overnight before heading to the Berry islands and the Abacos. Enjoy your trip.

[Sail power sail]

Thanks. I didn't notice the age of the post. Thanks for getting back to me.