Tumpline
Thumbs-down to developments. PHOTO: RYAN CREARY
[ triPs ]
Canoe Routes be Dammed I
FIVE WILDERNESS RIVERS TO PADDLE BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
f only the power- and money-hungry mo- guls of industry could see beyond the po-
tential energy of falling water and experience the kinetic pull of a free-flowing waterway. River tripping canoeists know this soulful feeling, but with provincial governments from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador riding a bandwagon of “green” ener- gy, wild rivers have become hot commodities. Despite the efforts of grassroots advocacy or- ganizations and international environmental networks the number of endangered Cana- dian rivers is growing. Here’s a cross-country list of last-chance river trips.
Peace River, BC TIMELINE: 5–10 YEARS
Admittedly, portions of the historic Peace River in northern British Columbia have al- ready been spoiled by waterpower develop- ments. In 1968, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam created a 250-kilometre-long reservoir that flooded out parts of Alexander Mackenzie’s route to the Pacific Ocean. Still, the middle and lower Peace remain much the same as when Mackenzie paddled the river in the 1790s. BC Hydro’s proposed Site C dam could change that by turning most of the 120 kilo- metres between Hudson’s Hope and Fort St. John into a wasteland. With BC Hydro just
starting consultation, there are still a few years to enjoy the easy, four-day float.
Namakan River, ON TIMELINE: IMMEDIATE
Te Namakan River forms a 40-kilometre- long, pool-and-drop link on the fur trade route from the canoe-country lakes west of Lake Superior to the Canadian interior. But because the Namakan isn’t contained within the protected boundaries of neighbouring Quetico Provincial Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park, it is open to development. Te Ojibway Power and Energy Group is poised to begin construction of a 6.4-megawatt dam at High Falls as early as this summer, and two other sites in years to come. Te chance to experience the still-wild Namakan is worth the effort of lake-hopping from Quetico’s Pickerel Lake access.
Romaine River, QC TIMELINE: IMMEDIATE
Te most recent river to be attacked by the Hydro Quebec juggernaut is the Romaine, which flows from the Labrador border to the St. Lawrence River. Although preliminary work began last summer, Alliance Romaine spokesperson Fran Bristow says there’s still time to enjoy one of La Belle Province’s best
whitewater trips before construction of four massive dams ramps up in 2012. What’s more, Bristow is convinced there’s still a window to convince the Quebec government that the Romaine is worth protecting. Te 575-kilometre, three-week trip starts with a train ride from Sept-Îles to Oreway. Te Romaine’s challenging whitewater and spec- tacular canyons are reason enough to sup- port Bristow’s campaign.—Conor Mihell
On the Radar…
Albany River, ON TIMELINE: 10–20 YEARS Ontario Power Generation has highlighted the powerful rapids of the remote Albany River (currently protected as a waterway park) as a future site of a large-scale hydro- electric complex in the province’s far north.
Fond du Lac River, SK TIMELINE: 10–20 YEARS The need for energy to fuel the surging oil and gas industry in northern Saskatchewan threatens rivers like the Fond du Lac, a favou- rite among experienced canoe trippers for its whitewater and unique limestone gorges.
www.canoerootsmag.com
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