ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Just to let those transiting now from GA south....

Many bridges are at 62 / 63 ft, not 65.

Make sure to read the min height.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Probably due to the King tides recently.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Pretty sure the water level has risen since some of those bridges were built. On our trip down 1.5 months ago a 65’ clearance was a rarity.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

And it has been that way for a week or more. We came down to Fort Pierce after coming inshore at St. Augustine about a week ago. We saw quite a few at 63' and two at 62'. I think it is likely a combination of a high tide cycle and lots of heavy rains recently.

However, the tide gauge at Indian River at Wabasso has shown a drop of about 1.5' over the past few days so releif may be coming.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Did you drop a tape from the bridge to the water surface? Or just read the boards on the fenders? And did you know that some of the marker boards indicate vertical clearance at the fenders, not at the center of the span?

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Of course we did not drop a tape. We are giving info on the tide boards. Yes, we know some bridges have more clearance at the center than at the fenders and some tide boards are inaccurate, and assume other cruisers know these things as well. Letting others know the general water levels has value for those traveling the ICW who need to make their own decisions about following a path down the ICW or heading outside.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Good point. When we were making the trip, we always stopped short of the bridge and put someone ashore with a tape so they could go out to the middle of the bridge and measure it.

On windy days, of course, you have to anchor a dinghy in the middle of the channel to hold the other end of the tape. Takes a little longer, but you can't be too careful.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Do you not have sky hooks? I wouldn't be without one.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

I thought about it, but couldn't decide whether to get the claw-type or the plough-type.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Rising water levels ... it is called a Climate Crisis!

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Always the claw type! Plough works some times, but not as effective as the claw even if you get minor damage with the claw.
Chanticleer most people call them tides, but you go for it. Just curious. How do I equate current to Climate crisis? Is there a formula, cuz you can equate tide to current.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

as a Florida resident, I can tell you that the tides have been abnormally high lately...

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Having traveled the Florida coast of and on for the last 30 years, either the waters rising or the bridges have been sinking.
Been building beach houses in Texas for the last 40 years of and on and once again, either the waters rising or the sand dunes and houses are sliding south towards the Gulf.

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Yep ... get with the programme ... water levels are rising all over the world ... sorry you missed it! But you will be even more sorry when it hits you.
Climate and weather extremes ... ask the people in British Columbia right about now. Ask the people in Washington State about floods ... and oh and I nearly forgot ... don't mention forest fires!
You want to experience tides? Try north coast of France and North East Canadian shores!
Sorry, just realized you are in the US!

Re: ICW southbound in FL FYI
 

Most of Florida has had east winds pushing onshore with another week coming up. Expect two feet or more additional wat.