Alviso Marina Opening

6-5-2010

This morning, midday actually, saw the grand opening of the Alviso California Marina. That sounds grander than it is, but is still significant none the less. When they say "marina" what they really mean is a boat launch ramp and accompanying docks. The original launch ramp closed in 1983.

Once upon a time, Alviso was the port for San Jose and access to the South San Francisco Bay. The Bay has obviously changed significantly since that time. Salt ponds have been constructed, areas filled in and river and creek courses moved or otherwise tamed. From the launch ramp, it is four miles to the bay proper (See my earlier post about paddling from Palo Alto to Alviso).

There were speeches by the mayor and other dignitaries in the parking lot. It was a nice celebration, low key and baking hot. Music began after the speeches and ribbon cutting. Kayakers and other hman powered craft were allowed access before the actual ribbon cutting and a few folks took advantage of it.

We took the "Cheap Canoe" out for a short paddle around. We loaded it just shy of its 325lb limit and it was very tippy. This alarmed one of the passengers, but later after off loading one of the adults, saw less instability and more calm paddling. The tide was falling and the mud along the slough banks continued to rise, hauling up more muck. There were many exquisitely constructed birds nests in the reeds and the occupants kept up an ongoing dialogue of "get out of here" and "this is my place, not your place".



I'll be curious to see who uses this area. naturalists and kayakers certainly. Duck hunters and fisherman as well. The nearby docks belonging to the South Bay Yacht club and a sailing school are both private and showing a decades of wear. I worry about the impact of motor boat use and accompanying wakes. The commercial shrimp boats can turn about a good bit of wash as well, hopefully there will not be much erosion.