RiverWalk Rocks – Sat July 30

Calgary act Miesha and the Spanks.
Photograph by: Riley Brandt

New street festival honours RiverWalk

Rock the ’Walk features music and artists

By Heath McCoy, Calgary Herald July 27, 2011

From Kensington’s Sun and Salsa Festival and Marda Loop’s Marda Gras to Inglewood’s Sunfest and the annual bash in Chinatown, Calgary has a tradition of fun-filled street festivals, held all over the city throughout the summer months.

This year, add Rock the ’Walk to that list.

Rather than celebrating a specific neighbourhood, however, this shindig — also planned as an annual event — will be held in honour of RiverWalk, the $10-million makeover of the city’s riverbanks.

RiverWalk is an urban promenade and cycling path that will wind four kilometres along the Bow and Elbow Rivers when finished.

Read more here

Find more artists like Samantha Savage Smith at Myspace Music

Find more miesha & the spanks songs at Myspace Music

Rain Showers on the Bow

All photos: Bow River Shuttles

Views from the Shuttle Van

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

Spray River and Upper Bow River

Here is a followup to yesterday's post regarding Goat Creek and Spray River.

Click on chart for larger image

July 25th, 2011:

Goat Creek Trail and vicinity: Effective immediately, the Goat Creek Trail is closed from the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Road (Highway 742) to its junction with the Spray River Trail in Banff National Park. The closure is due to structural damage to the Spray River bridge which has resulted from abnormally high flows due to water diversion by TransAlta Utilities. For further information regarding water flows, please contact TransAlta at 1-877-547-3365..

Via: Kananaskis Country Trails

Parks concerned high flows harming fish

We’ve noticed a subtle change to the colour of the water in the Bow River over the past day or two. It’s still green, but with a cloudy appearance, similar to the ‘rock flower’ you see in alpine lakes and streams.

A search came up with the July 07 article below that appeared in the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

We wonder if there is a connection? If anyone reading this post has more information, we’d appreciate knowing.

Parks concerned high flows harming fish

Jul 07, 2011 11:49 am | CATHY ELLIS

Unnaturally high and dirty water levels in Goat Creek and Spray River has Banff National Park authorities concerned about harm being caused to fish and their habitat.

TransAlta has been diverting significant volumes of water into Goat Creek since June 3 following mechanical breakdowns and planned maintenance at the Spray hydroelectric facility.

Making matters worse, the power company now predicts large volumes of water will breach the spillway at Canyon Dam into Spray River by mid-July due to ongoing runoff and problems at the reservoir.

Parks Canada fears turbidity created by sediment being stirred up from the increased force of the flows will affect fish survival and destroy or alter habitat, such as holding areas.

“As a result of these increased flows and duration of flows, our concern is what could or will happen to the fish populations in the Goat, in the Spray and also in the Bow,” said Parks aquatics specialist Charlie Pacas.

“The Spray River is 40 kilometres from Canyon Dam to Bow Falls and the habitat may be changed to some degree as a result of all of this. We think fish populations may be affected.”

Local fishing guides are up in arms, too.

Read more here

Protecting Our Water

Canadian Geographic’s ‘Annual Environment Issue’ hit the stands a few weeks ago.

This year’s topic is “Protecting Our Water”.

Check out ‘Water Ways’ for the stunning photos that won The Blue Water Photo Contest, sponsored by Canadian Geographic and the RBC Blue Water Project.

‘Rocking the boat’ profiles Monique Dube, Canadian Geographic’s ‘Environmental Scientist of the Year. Not surprising to learn that she is a water scientist.

A feature article ‘Snake Run’, about the battle over the Peel Watershed in the Yukon, is worth the price of this mag.

Best of all is ‘The Source of Life’, an Action Guide for saving a watershed, that contains ideas that each of us can apply right here in our own Bow River watershed.

Pick up your copy today. We found ours at the checkout stand at our local Safeway.

Canadian Geographic

"I Do" at Mac

Click to enlarge. You'll be glad you did. :-)  Photo: Bow River Shuttles

A wedding party at McKinnon Flats today. Check out the cowboy boots, blue jeans and colourful sashes.Gotta love the wooden drift boat!

The trout were asleep for this hatch

Photo Courtesy: Kevin H.

First float of the year for me. Thank you very much for the shuttle and the Werthers; always a comfort at the end of a day.

Weather started off as over cast, and deteriorated into steady rain and wind.

Water level was very high and very fast; visibility was 2 feet at best.

Trying to maneuver a pontoon boat into the take out at Policeman’s Flats is nearly impossible due to the rapids right at the upstream edge; also the high/fast water, and my oar popping out of its oarlock, caused me to miss the take out. This presented a long walk through the brush carrying my pontoon boat back to my truck/trailer. It’s good to be fishing with a friend who can help ( and be helped) in these situations.

A massive hatch of what appeared to be green and brown mayflies (Drakes?) and lots of caddis flying around. The birds were gorging themselves on the bugs, the trout were asleep for this hatch.

I only got one fish all day, a strong fighting Rainbow about 16" who loved to display aerial acrobatics (photo attached).

The Bow River

Graves Landing/Glenmore Trail to Policeman’s Flats

Friday July 22 2011

THANKS TO KEVIN H. FOR THIS EMAIL EMAIL REPORT AND FOR THE PHOTO!

Morning, Afternoon & Evening

Friday morning. Bow River flow rate: 195 cms. Near Policeman's Flats    
All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

Friday afternoon. Looking south from 22X towards McKinnon Flats

Friday evening. Carseland (Johnson's Island)

Black & Yellow Stone Nymphs

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

We had a great day on Tuesday ... About 25 in the boat and another 10 that got away .... All rainbows .... Mostly on black & yellow stone nymphs

The Bow River

McKinnon Flats to Carseland

Tuesday July 19 2011

THANKS TO ALEX B. FOR THIS EMAIL FISHING REPORT.

Rehab at Carseland complete

All photos: Bow River Shuttles

The boat ramps at Carseland have been repaired. In fact, they both look better now than they have in years.

A very large amount of silt was removed from the boat launch that most fly fishers use (the one closest to the weir). The silt is currently sitting in a pile at the western end of the parking lot. I imagine that it will soon be removed.

Kudos to the Provincial Park officials who promised that the boat ramps would be in shape for this weekend!

The alternate boat ramp (closest to the bottom of the hill) has received a lot of use from fly fishers since the Park gates re-opened a week ago.  The mud bog that had fronted the concrete ramp dried up fairly quickly. Although it remained a bit lumpy and bumpy, most had no trouble taking out their boats.

The whole area has been smoothed out and new gravel applied.  The log that was jammed against the rocks has been removed. 

Runoff Reluctant to Relinquish Hold on the Bow River

Please click directly on each image for a larger version

“Being in the water industry, and being on the banks the last few nights, I keep a pretty close eye on the flows. With the snowpack this year at 115-130% of normal in most of the stations that melt into the Bow, and the levels of the Spray, Minnewanka, Ghost and to a lesser extent Bearspaw reservoirs, we are not going to go thirsty this year. There is a ton of water to come through yet.” - Email received from my client David M. this morning.

Here we are at July 21, and the Bow River at Calgary is back up to 195 cms at 6:00 am this morning!

One only has to look at Banff to see why.

Yesterday morning, Banff had bounced from around 100 cms back up to 148 cms. It has since declined to 121 cms by noon today.

Fortunately, we've been told that visibility has remained fairly decent (3 to 4 feet) through these ups and downs, and that the fishing has generally been very good. In fact, some posts on a local fly fishing forum have said that the Bow River is ‘on fire’! :-0

And we also realize that this level of water is good for the river and for the fish over the long term. We are not likely to see a weed-choked Bow River this fall!

The snow pillow at Sunshine looks like it has come almost all the way down. That could be a sign that lower water levels may be finally in the offing... or not. :-)

Not Open - Harvie Passage/Calgary Weir Project

Caution urged near Bow River weir in Calgary

Area remains closed until 2012

Calgary... With the warmer weather, the Government of Alberta is reminding all users of the Bow River about the danger of swimming or boating around the construction site of the new weir, known as Harvie Passage, in Calgary.

The construction zone’s restricted area extends from the boom upstream of the weir to about 500 meters downstream of the weir. No trespassing is allowed within this area; users must exit the river before the boom and portage around the closed area. To ensure public safety the restricted area is clearly marked and users may be charged if found trespassing in the closed area.

The weir is expected to be open for recreational use in 2012. The new works are intended to make the river safer and include a series of rock rapids downstream of the original weir and modifications to the weir itself. Once complete, these rapids will be safe to canoe or float through, though users should always exercise caution in the river. Calgarians may see boats and other equipment in the construction zone, but the area remains closed to the public.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Kevin Brown

Communications

Alberta Environment

780-427-6267

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Read AB Govt Information Bullentin here

Net man & Crop Dusting

Crop dusting, on the way to McKinnon Flats today. All photos: Bow River Shuttles

Net man on the Bow River today

T. Buckley

Calgarian T. Buckley performs at the Calgary Folk Festival this weekend.

“Original traditional country roots with grit and attitude.”

More about T. Buckley here

VFTSV*

All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

*Views from the Shuttle Van

VFTSV*

Walking upstream to begin the day. All photos: Bow River Shuttles

Wild Rose - Alberta's Provincial Flower

*Views from the Shuttle Van

VFTSV*

Early morning pickup at Police. 
All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

Late afternoon launch at Police.

*View from the Shuttle Van

Carseland boat ramp looking good!

Photos: Bow River Shuttles

The muddy bog that fronted the Carseland boat ramp (the one closest to the bottom of the hill) a few days ago has almost dried up, thanks to several days of warm, sunny weather.

Our shuttle clients had no trouble taking out their boats yesterday and today. 

It's sure great to be able to float the Bow River from McKinnon Flats to Carseland once again!

Early morning light

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

Bow River Shuttles van in the early morning light.

One brown for the evening

Blake A. party - evening float.  Photo: Bow River Shuttles

Only one brown to the boat last night. Plenty of cassis on the bank but not too many hatching or laying eggs.

Saw a few risers but they were all pretty small.

Nothing on streamer or dry.

The Bow River

22X/Fish Creek Park to Policeman’s Flats

Thurs July 14 2011

THANKS TO BLAKE A. FOR THIS FISHING REPORT!

Cowboy hats, mini donuts, and Chuck Wagons

Jeff and Trevor arrived in Calgary yesterday!

Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Supports Ride for Coldwater Conservation

Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) CEO Jeff Surtees rode 90 Km from the hamlet of Gleichen west to Calgary with Jeff Muirhead and Trevor Fraser.

Jeff and Trevor have been riding across Canada in support of TUC and its Coldwater Conservation Fund

For more information on Jeff and Trevor's trek please follow their blog. You can also link to their blog right from this page. Just scroll down, on the right hand side.

Via: Trout Unlimited Canada News Room

The Drake - Summer 2011

The Drake has been out for a number of weeks. Lots of great reading, but not as much time to read these days, now that the Bow River has finally cleared up. 

“A Fishing Dog: The Life and Times of Trask” really tugged at my heart strings, as I remembered Smokey, a Husky/Malamute that was part of our family for a dozen years.

I was also pleased to see that a profile on Canadian Bill Taylor, president of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, was included in the ongoing series “The Twelve Apostles: Part II”.

Available at your favourite Calgary fly shop. Or maybe not, by this time. :-)

Road Opens to Johnson’s Island (Carseland) Boat Launches

All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

The road from the top of the Bow Valley, down to the boat launches at Johnson’s Island (Carseland) is now open.  

After a visit to the area late yesterday, during which we observed the work that had just been completed, we confirmed today that the road is officially open as of this morning.

We learned that repairs to the two boat ramps will be tackled next week, in time for the weekend of July 23/24. 

As it stands now, the boat ramp used by most drift boaters (closest to the weir) is under a lot of silt.   

The other boat ramp, at the bottom of the hill, has experienced some erosion, just in front of the concrete slabs.

The Mac road narrows

Yesterday morning (Tuesday) we found that overnight rain had once again caused erosion on the road from the top of the Bow Valley down to McKinnon Flats.

The damage this time is arguably a bit worse than the previous two such incidents this season. Expect ‘one lane’ traffic in more locations along the road than before. Take your time going in either direction, especially around the blind corners.

All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

VFTSV*

All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

*Views from the Shuttle Van

Yellowstone River Oil Spill Aftermath

The Exxon oil spill on the Yellowstone River continues to make news south of the border, including a story in today’s Wall Street Journal.

Although this PBS news clip is a few days old, it provides some good information in its nine minute running time.

You can find a transcript of the story here.

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

The wood is gone!

Photo: Bow River Shuttles (Click directly on photo for larger image)

‘Part 1’ of several parts of the cleanup at Legacy Island was accomplished this evening. The wood is gone!

About 20 volunteers, including a number of Agrium employees, began arriving at 4:30 pm and stayed until the job was done.

Most of them were still on hand for the ‘victory’ group photo after the BBQ at the end of the evening.

Although Legacy Island cannot be said to be ‘open’, those with 4x4’s should be able to access the island.

There is a layer of silt covering the road, all the way from the side channel crossing to the parking lot. And the same layer of silt covers the parking lot itself.

There had been rain last night, and again this afternoon, which turned the silt into mush.

And, of course, there are still several metres of silt blocking the ‘boat ramp’ itself.

However, those with pontoon boats and other types of lighter boats should be able to haul them up over the pile of silt.

Brian Meagher advises once again that the permits required to remove the silt will take a number of weeks to be approved.

Stay tuned.

We also have many more photos from this event that we will be posting here in the days ahead.