[PSUBS-MAILIST] 2019 Flathead Lake Expedtion

Sun Dec 16 22:56:19 EST 2018

As it happens, Flathead Lake MT is within a reasonable driving distance of me. I don't have a sub to contribute, but if you could use another body for surface, in-water, dive (rescue plan?) or maintenance support, that sounds like an interesting way to spend a few days.

Sean

-------- Original Message --------
On Dec 16, 2018, 19:40, Alan via Personal_Submersibles wrote:

> Great stuff Cliff,
> that's going to be one heck of a long journey!
> Alan
>
> On 16/12/2018, at 4:50 AM, Cliff Redus via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
>
>> 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition
>>
>> Since David mentioned his goal in getting his boat ready for dive next year in Montana, I thought I would update the Psub community on the expedition.  On August 5-9, 2019, the 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition is planned.  This is a joint effort between [InnerSpace.Org](http://innerspace.org)https://www.innerspacescience.org/ and the Flathead Bio Station https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs . FLBS is operated by the University of Montana.  I am the point person for this Expedition from the Innerspace Science/PSub side and Jim Craft,  https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs/about-flbs/people/page-elements/flbs-people/people/jim-craft/ from the FLBS, UM science side. Tom Bansak, http://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs/about-flbs/people/page-elements/flbs-people/people/tom-bansak/ , the assistant director at FLBS, is also working closely with Jim Craft on the Expedition.  Organizationally, this Expedition will be structured much like the 2018 Lake Tahoe Expedition.  The base station for the dive is going to be the FHBS facility at Yellow Bay on the west side of the lake.  At this time two psubs are committed to come.  Hank Pronk is bringing Nekton Gamma and I am bringing the R300.  If David is able to finish fabrication and testing by then, then he is welcome to bring SeaQuester.  Jim Craft is working with his FLBS colleges to develop the science objectives which will primarily be completed with Nekton Gamma as she can take a passenger.  Gamma will be fitted with an instrumentation package, the Hydrolab DS5 - Multiparameter Data Sonde https://www.ott.com/en-uk/products/water-quality-2/hydrolab-ds5-multiparameter-data-sonde-56/.  FLBS has two of these data sondes but they may have one of these committed on an existing research project.  If it is available, it will be mounted on the R300.  These data sondes log Temperature, Conductivity, Depth, pH, Oxygen Reduction Potential (ORP), Dissolved Oxygen (LDO), Dissolved Oxygen (Clark Cell), Turbidity, Chlorophyll a, Blue-Green Algae, Rhodamine WT, Ammonium, Nitrate, Chloride, Total Dissolved Gas (TDG), and Ambient Light.
>>
>> One of the planned science missions is for Gamma to do a submerged transect from the mouth of the Flathead river at the north of the lake to Big Arm Bay logging with the DS5 and capturing bottom samples along the path.  Hank is in the process of adding the capability to Gamma to take these samples.  A bathymetric map of the lake can be found at http://flatheadlakers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/bathymap.pdf
>>
>> Dr. Josef Crepeau, Associate Prof. Mathematics, University of Montana has agreed to provide dive support with his 19ft Boston Whaler. The plan is for Josef to use his vessel to tender the R300 and FLBS’s 30 foot research vessel will be tendering Nekton Gamma.  We have a number of psubbers that are tentatively involved:
>>
>> Cliff Redus
>> Rick Maxwell
>> Hank Pronk and wife
>> Jon Wallace
>> Doug Suhr Jr.
>> Doug Suhr Sr.
>> Alec Symth (Provisional depending on his son’s racing schedule)
>> David Colombo and wife
>>
>> Limited sleeping accommodation for some of the psub contingent has been provided at FLBS base station using their faculty cabins but these cabins now are fully committed.  There are a number of hotels in Polson but be aware that reservation would need to be made early for these as they tend to fill up fast for the summer.  We have a local contact, Masson Niblack, who lives in Polson working with us as well for local info.
>>
>> Along with the long submerged transect that Hank is going to make, we will also be doing a joint night dive to see the difference in the marine community between day and night.  There are several wall dives that are also planned.  As we get closer to the date, we will get a better picture of the planned dives.
>>
>> On Friday afternoon August 9th, FLBS is hosting an open house for the public and has asked Innerspace Science to have the subs available for 400-500 students.
>>
>> Flathead Lake is one of the largest clearest lakes in the US.  The 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition should be a hoot!
>> Cliff
>
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