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Archive Podcasts:
Water depth, and the complexity of rivers
At high tide the river off Astoria seems like a wide uninterrupted expanse of river. At low tide, mudflats abound. Today we’ll talk about the complexity of rivers and why they pose challenges for vessels.
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A bit about hail – a startling weather phenomenon that’s been happening lately
We’ve been seeing abrupt, short lived hail storms lately. So today we’ll take a look at what causes hail and other related solid precipitation.
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A really big wave offshore, and a look at the concept of significant wave height
We recently saw a 63-foot wave off the mouth of the river in the ocean, recorded by a data buoy offshore. While this is a big wave for us, it’s also within the parameters of a set of wave parameters called “significant wave height.”
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A bit of weather coming in, and possible effects on the bar
We’ve got a bit of stormy weather coming in, and so a good time to answer a listener question about the Columbia River Bar and how sthip traffic is affected by weather.
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USNS Matthew Perry arrives in the river this morning
Today we have a Military Sealift Command cargo ship headed to Portland to the shipyard at Swan Island for repairs and maintenance. We’ll learn a little today about this interesting military vessel.
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Lots of anchored ships today
Today we have an abundance of anchored ships on the river, so many that a couple are waiting offshore. We’ll talk about how that can happen.
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Who’s on the river today?
A look at today’s ship traffic on the Columbia.
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The Polar Star and Operation Deep Freeze
Each year the USCG heavy icebreaker Polar Star heads to Antarctica to spend the Northern Hemisphere winter opening a channel through the ice during the Antarctic summer.
The ship has just completed her mission and is heading home to Seattle. We’ll talk about why this unique ship was there, and why her mission is so important.
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What’s happening in the anchorage?
The Astoria Anchorage is an interesting place, with lots going on out there on the water.
Today we’ll take a look at some of the common but interesting things you might see if you’re out on the Riverwalk or driving through town.
Whether it be vessels or aircraft, a cargo ship or the US Coast Guard, what you’re seeing are carefully planned maneuvers involving skilled professionals, and often talented young people learning the ropes of maritime work.
Photo: A fuel barge refueling a ship in the Astoria Anchorage, 3/6/25. Photo Credit: Joanne Rideout
Who’s on the river today?
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