Auxiliary Vessel on Patrol on the Missouri River

Members of Division 10 flotillas recently gathered at the “Gates of the Rocky Mountains” to take part in “Musical Currents” an event of the re-enactment of the Corps of Discovery that traversed the 1200 foot deep canyon of the Missouri river 200 years earlier.

The event featured six different musical venues along the six mile long canyon.  Native American musicians playing flutes were joined by native drummers.  A Celtic musical group and mountain men, playing an old time fiddle, joined with featured entertainers Rob Quist and Oddysey West.

The Lewis and Clark re-enactors arrived at Meriwether campground in dug out canoes wearing authentic early 19th century costumes.

To assist in crowd control, the Auxiliary provided two facilities crewed by members of the Helena and Kalispell (Montana) flotillas. In addition to the Auxiliary facilities, policing the event were Sheriff's search and rescue and four different law enforcement agencies.

The Auxiliary was on duty at 10:00 am, well before the official 4:00 pm start of the event.  By noon, the parking at the marina was full. The Auxiliary took up station at the two ends of the canyon and patrolled until the event ended at sunset.

The “Gates of the Mountains” is located approximately 20 miles north of Montana's capitol, Helena on the Missouri River.  It was named by Lewis and Clark because it presents the optical illusion of a set of gates opening as one travels up river and it was among the first of the high mountain ranges encountered by the expedition.

Actors reenacting the Lewis and Clark expedition

The river is approximately 250 feet wide and is home to hundreds of recreational boats and approximately 80 passenger tour boats. During “Musical Currents” the estimated 400 boats in attendance were cruising within the canyon and stopping at each musical venue.  In some cases, they were anchoring mid channel to watch the concert at Meriwether campground.

Strong winds came up t the end of the afternoon requiring one of the Auxiliary vessels to escort a kayak with a father and four young daughters aboard.  There was a perceived danger that the kayak might swamp while going back the five or so miles to the marina.

The Auxiliary was an important part of the safety and traffic control function that day. We received positive input from many boaters who enjoyed a "once in two hundred years" event.

-SK