The south end of Lake Pend Oreille and Scenic Bay.: Scenic Bay, Lake Pend Oreille. The steep, tree-lined banks surrounding the bay also aid in reducing noise. Media Images Model submarines in Scenic Bay of Lake Pend Oreille: Normally the model subs are run during the night when the lake is quiet which aides in the testing of the acoustic ability of the subs. When you venture to the shores of Lake Pend Oreille near the southern end under the cover of dark to watch the “submarine races”, that may be literally what you see. The mystery that surrounds the activities of the center adds to the local folklore and history. The ARD has been an important part of the community of Bayview for many years. New concepts and ideas are tested here before being added to the fleet vessels. The data is gathered, analyzed and adjustments made where needed on the vessels. These vessels are monitored during the tests by strategically placed hydrophones and recording devises on the lake bottom and shoreline. They also have two larger model subs: the Kokanee and the Cutthroat. The center has a fleet of ¼ scale models: Dolly Varden, Kokanee, Pike, Whitefish, Steelhead. The steep tree-lined shoreline the constant chilly temperature at 100 ft (39 F) the flat, muddy bottom and little boating activity during the night makes this lake the perfect testing ground for acoustic (sound) studies on the vessels. There is also a 4 mile wide channel running up the center near that area. Lake Pend Oreille is 1,150 ft deep near the southern end. The mission of the ARD is to help provide the Navy with a quiet running submarine at the least amount of money. Soon after establishing the facility, the Navy found Lake Pend Oreille was the perfect testing area for acoustic related aspects of the submarines. The center was originally part of the Farragut Naval Training Station in 1942 just south of Bayview, Idaho. “They are doing secret maneuvers in the middle of the night.” “They have a full-sized nuclear submarine there.” And my favorite: “They stirred up the ‘Paddler’!” (The monster that lives at the bottom of the lake). Many rumors have been sparked by the activity at the Naval Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD). Idaho? Yes, for over 65 years the south end of the lake has been the premier testing ground for acoustic development of the Navy’s submarines. Textĭuring the middle of the night the small scale, unmanned sub glides through the cold, dark waters of Idaho’s deepest lake, Lake Pend Oreille. Idaho gained it's first submarine fleet that is still active today. When Farragut Naval Training Station was built near Bayview, Idaho in the 1940's, the soldiers were not the only new arrival.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |