The Four Mile Run kayak launch was damaged during heavy storms on Sunday, August 2, which caused peak flows of approximately 3,000 cubic feet per second, at around 1pm and again at around 5pm. The cause of the structural failure of the dock, which tore off a portion of the boardwalk and railing, is currently being assessed by engineers. With the exception of one timber piece, the entire launch, gangway, railings, stabilizer arm, and tension cables have been recovered, and repair is expected.
Here is what we know: the launch broke loose around 5:15pm, during the second peak flow, which occurred as the tide was approaching a daily low. It appears that the stabilizer arm and one of the tension cables broke, which allowed the floating launch to swing out into the current, pulling the attached gangway and a portion of the boardwalk away. All the components stayed connected, drifting downstream roughly 800 feet before lodging against the near-shore Route 1 bridge pier.
We have been working with Alexandria City staff, RK&K engineers, and Landivar and Associates to ensure the launch is repaired and appropriately reinforced. We're especially appreciative of Landivar and Associates for the quick, daring, and thorough recovery of the wayward kayak launch components.
Our summer and fall kayak litter clean-ups will continue as scheduled, though it will be necessary to launch from the old unimproved ramp site until the kayak launch is back in operation.
