Quicksand Fans

Has anyone had any experience with CDFs (areas where materials from river dredging is stored)? Earlier in spring I found one with what looked like tons of mud on a canal next to a public beach.

CDFs are elevated pretty high up with massive dykes on the whole perimeter of them, so I didn’t need to worry about the people at the beach, but I was in plain view of the ferry terminal across the canal hiking to/from the spot (I wasn’t able to be seen by them at the sinking location), plus there were lots of planes and helicopters flying pretty frequently overhead as well.

The CDF I was at was federal property so I was trespassing, so I knew that being caught would be much more than an embarrassment. But I went on exploring it anyway.

The mud was seriously the best mud I’ve ever experienced. It was completely 100% smooth black mud and had different areas of thickness ranging from watery to super thick. Most of it was waist deep, but I found an area towards the back that was bottomless and I sank to my chin! I didn’t go all the way under because there was no area to safely clean up at, so I brought a couple gallons of water and rags and cleaned myself the best I could and quickly walked back to the car hoping not to be seen and got out of there.

I’ve since been wanting to go back there but the trespassing and privacy issues have kept me from going back since I’m afraid I won’t be as lucky next time. The mud was so nice and heavenly and I thought I’d share my experience!

Interesting. It's not a hazardous waste area and since it's just a dump, no cameras or gates. I think I'd be unconcerned about trespass issues and visit this place every late evening I felt like it. Lack of cleanup is the only downside I can see. Mind if I ask what state this is in?

goo_lagoon wrote: ...The CDF I was at was federal property so I was trespassing, so I knew that being caught would be much more than an embarrassment. But I went on exploring it anyway.

The mud was seriously the best mud I’ve ever experienced. ....

From my experience, there are different levels of 'Federal'. On one end, there are National Monuments/Parks - and on the other end, BLM (Bureau of Land Management), which is as close to you get to "Well, somebody has to 'own' it". In other words, if you don't cross a fence, it's hard to get busted for trespass.

(Ok, standard disclaimers - don't sink alone etc.).

dlodoski wrote:

goo_lagoon wrote: ...The CDF I was at was federal property so I was trespassing, so I knew that being caught would be much more than an embarrassment. But I went on exploring it anyway.

The mud was seriously the best mud I’ve ever experienced. ....

From my experience, there are different levels of 'Federal'. On one end, there are National Monuments/Parks - and on the other end, BLM (Bureau of Land Management), which is as close to you get to "Well, somebody has to 'own' it". In other words, if you don't cross a fence, it's hard to get busted for trespass.

(Ok, standard disclaimers - don't sink alone etc.).

The area was fenced off and had a gate with a sign that said “ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY” and the site looked like it was regularly maintained so I’m not sure if I’d want to go back lol. There’s another CDF down the canal with signs that say there’s 24 hr surveillance so that spooks me a bit. I haven’t seen those signs or any cameras at the one I sank at though

Duncan Edwards wrote:Interesting. It's not a hazardous waste area and since it's just a dump, no cameras or gates. I think I'd be unconcerned about trespass issues and visit this place every late evening I felt like it. Lack of cleanup is the only downside I can see. Mind if I ask what state this is in?

The area is fenced off with signs that say “authorized personnel only” and the area looks like it is regularly maintained so that’s why I was concerned about trespassing. This was on the Cape May Canal in New Jersey

It looks pretty deserted. Worst case scenario with a place like that you're looking at a ticket, maybe getting detained for a few hours....? I'm pretty conservative when it comes to tresspassing and I'd risk it for a spot that awesome.
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That walkway would make one hell of a diving board. Might even be able to submerge off that lol.

This has been my spot off and on for over a decade so maybe i can shed some light on it here. I've seen evidence of people being up there but never seen other people or any activity in the form of construction; at least during the summer season. There has always been a gate or fence on the main entry road to the CDF but never anything to seriously keep people out. The Army COE signs on the gate have come and gone over the years and that pathway is seldom traveled. I usually stick closer to the beach/ferry terminal side of it and it looks like you ventured all the way to the other side! Lastly I never took any pictures of the place so i hope you have more! Thanks for finally giveng me a name for it, never knew it was called a "Confined Disposal Facility".

undergrad wrote:This has been my spot off and on for over a decade so maybe i can shed some light on it here. I've seen evidence of people being up there but never seen other people or any activity in the form of construction; at least during the summer season. There has always been a gate or fence on the main entry road to the CDF but never anything to seriously keep people out. The Army COE signs on the gate have come and gone over the years and that pathway is seldom traveled. I usually stick closer to the beach/ferry terminal side of it and it looks like you ventured all the way to the other side! Lastly I never took any pictures of the place so i hope you have more! Thanks for finally giveng me a name for it, never knew it was called a "Confined Disposal Facility".

OMG! What are the chances of me accidentally finding your spot? :0 Thank you for your insight! Yes, I did venture out all the way to the other side! The mud by where you enter (first pic) was only knee deep, but the other side (second pic) had REALLY deep mud. It’s the part that is under water on Google satellite view. I’m gonna head back over there as soon as I can so the mud won’t solidify too much :/

WOW there are several of these on the great lakes. Will have to keep this in mind.

goo_lagoon wrote:Has anyone had any experience with CDFs (areas where materials from river dredging is stored)? Earlier in spring I found one with what looked like tons of mud on a canal next to a public beach.

CDFs are elevated pretty high up with massive dykes on the whole perimeter of them, so I didn’t need to worry about the people at the beach, but I was in plain view of the ferry terminal across the canal hiking to/from the spot (I wasn’t able to be seen by them at the sinking location), plus there were lots of planes and helicopters flying pretty frequently overhead as well.

The CDF I was at was federal property so I was trespassing, so I knew that being caught would be much more than an embarrassment. But I went on exploring it anyway.

The mud was seriously the best mud I’ve ever experienced. It was completely 100% smooth black mud and had different areas of thickness ranging from watery to super thick. Most of it was waist deep, but I found an area towards the back that was bottomless and I sank to my chin! I didn’t go all the way under because there was no area to safely clean up at, so I brought a couple gallons of water and rags and cleaned myself the best I could and quickly walked back to the car hoping not to be seen and got out of there.

I’ve since been wanting to go back there but the trespassing and privacy issues have kept me from going back since I’m afraid I won’t be as lucky next time. The mud was so nice and heavenly and I thought I’d share my experience!

Oh is that what I'm sinking in at the beach. Huh didn't know it was that. Yeah I have some paid content of my CDF on umd. It's just as you say it is. Though swear that it literally just is pluff mud.