Lake condition and forecast

[zork]

Unfortunately there was a bad report on ABC radio this morning on how the lake surface was after we had gone.
The locals main issue was damage by a truck in the way of ruts and holes and not repairing said damage?

[zork]

Heres more
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/o ... ge/4676586

[David Leikvold]

This is going to happen whenever the thin salt right on the edge of the lake can't take much weight. A weight limit will help keep the edge in good condition and people with heavy vehicles will just have to change the way they operate.
We talked about severely restricting non-essential vehicle access to the lake this year but every afternoon there was a seemingly endless stream of cars and 4x4s waiting to get off the lake. This shouldn't be happening. Leave all the stuff you need in the pits when you set up and then either park your car OFF the lake for the week or leave it in the pits all week. It won't kill you to walk across the salt to the pits every day.

More importantly, we need to be able to repair the ramp area at the end of Speedweek for two very important reasons: One, it's the first thing people will notice and have already noticed and Two, leaving it in good condition proves to everyone that we DO respect the lake. Yes, we know the lake will smooth out after the first rains but we must pack plenty of loose salt around the ramp area so that it looks as good as new and is smooth before we leave. The more salt we pack into the area might even mean the ramp salt is harder and stronger next year.

Remember, all we should leave behind are the memories.

Cheers
Dave

[Cookey]

Well Said Dave.

[momec3]

Thanks Dave,
Your on the money.

Chris

[Rocket]

How True Dave

[AuotonomousRX]

Spot on Dave

Pete

[Redmohawk]

I'd be interested in taking a toyota coast bus to the salt (4.5 ton fully loaded with bikes race gear etc) dual wheel rear , Do you think it would be ok on the salt left at the pits for the week ?

[David Leikvold]

Red, it's too early to know what weight limit might eventually be set for the ramp but consider these numbers. According to the Toyota website a Coaster has a kerb weight of 3490kg and a gross weight of 4990kg. At worst that's an individual wheel loading of 831kg. Compare that with a Toyota Landcruiser, for example, which has a kerb weight of 2635kg and a gross weight of 3350kg, that's 837kg for each of its four wheels. The difference is negligible.

[Redmohawk]

Very good , Yeah I know the exact weight of the bus when I drive it .(as I only have a car licence, so stuck to under 4.5t) Once its loaded I weigh it at the local station to make sure I don't get done for over weight out on the road. With 3 bikes a load of water,fuel etc etc and 4 average blokes is just under the 4.5 limit.

[DLRA]

I can't find if some one else posted this or not, But twice is better than not at all.
Taken just a couple weeks ago, it shows just a little bit of water on the lake, but more importantly the poor condition of the salt, with lots of mud showing through.
2013~0608~0610~Australia~Adelaide~Lake Gairdner National Park

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[internetscooter]

For reference here are the satellite images for June 4 (just before) and June 12 (just after) - hmmm the new satellite seems to be taking pictures every week now

June 4


June 12


Source http://landsatlook.usgs.gov/

[GodSilla]

The current (August) satellite image shows deep blue, lotsa water. This is the only time I wish for some localised global warming eh.

[DocScooter]

Have done two flights over the Lake in the last couple of weeks. There appears to be between 4-8 inches of water, with multiple small salt mounds showing through the surface.

Pics here.... https://plus.google.com/photos/11241402 ... 8nCrbfAxgE

Of course..... this is just the assessment from the air, so may be worth exactly what you paid for it!!

[gennyshovel]

Thanks again Scott, your reports are appreciated mate.