2-step weir (Hertford)
From Wikipaddle
| 2-step weir, River Lea | |
| Grade | 2- (at low levels) 2 (at medium/high levels) 2+/3- (at very high/spate levels) Please note, weirs are not normally graded, this is a simple difficulty reference level |
| Location | |
| Country | England |
| Region | Hertfordshire |
| Lat | 51.802999115231636 |
| Lon | -0.07229089736938477 |
| Directions, Google earth | |
Medium levels
High levels
Very high levels
Near spate levels
2-step weir is a weir on the River Lea at the Hertford Loop.
Contents |
Function
This weir is used to direct the flow of the river over a sewage pipe which the local water company has run across the natural stretch of the river.
Access
From Hertford Weir (at Hertford Basin) slide down the main weir and follow 150m downstream.
Description
The 2-step weir's name explains it all, with two shallow 30cm/1 foot drops. During high pool levels, the second drop may be submerged under water. During all levels, a river wide stopper forms which can be side-surfed.
Water Levels
Low Levels
At low water levels the weir is suitable for complete novices to run as an introduction to both paddling and low grade whitewater. It may be prudent for someone to be standing in the weir to push any people who ground on the concrete or rocks. At this level, it will scrape the bottom of your boat. Experienced boaters will most likely skip the weir at this level, as the stopper will not be worth playing in.
Medium Levels
At these levels the flow going over the weir will be enough to generate a small towback, and produce a low power wave train after the second drop. Ideal for side-surfing and breaking in/out of the current on the wave trains. At this level your paddle will still hit the bottom if completely submerged.
High Levels
Now the stopper will be more powerful, it may hold boats which do not have planing hulls during side surf. Capsizes are not recommended as the weir is still shallow. The wave trains will now be up to 15m long and depending on pool level can be front surfed before being flushed.
Very High Levels
At these levels the stopper will change into a wave and will form a "bowl" shape. Short playboats will be able to carve across the wave and if lucky perform spins. The weir is still too shallow to perform any tricks which require depth, despite what the river looks like. Depending on pool levels, and flow rate will depend on if the weir will hold you or not.
