NAVIGATED WATERS IN ALBERTA Submitted to Alberta Transportation Prepared by Mei Environmental Consulting February 2014 Summary In response to changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, Alberta Transportation is developing a map of rivers and streams in Alberta used for boating. Boating guides, similar publications and related web sites were examined to develop an initial map of waterways used by boaters including an assessment of the nature and level of use. These were then supplemented by consultation with knowledgeable groups and individuals and a table documenting the results produced. This will be used to develop an updated map of navigated waters. Table of Contents Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 Methods…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Appendix A……………………………………………………………………………………………List of References and Web Sites Appendix B…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....Contact Lists Appendix C………………………………………………………………………………………………..Table of Navigated Waterways Appendix D……………………………………………………………………………………………..Table of Unclassified Waterways Objectives In December 2012 the Parliament of Canada passed the Jobs and Growth Act (2012). The act included changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, including renaming it to the Navigation Protection Act. The amendments change the focus of the act from waterways with the potential to be navigated to waterways that are navigated. With the changes, works such as bridges will only require approval under the act for waterways identified in a schedule. While approvals are not required for other waterways, the right to navigate remains and it is incumbent upon those constructing, maintaining, or repairing works within waterways to assess public use of the waterway and to address that use appropriately. The purpose of this study was to identify rivers and streams used by boaters in Alberta. It is intended that the information be mapped to assist Alberta Transportation and other users in planning, design, maintenance and repair of bridges and other watercourse crossings. Methods The study followed a stepped approach. The first step was to identify and assemble published information and web sites that identified navigated waterways in Alberta. The list of references is provided in Appendix A. Using map and internet resources all waterways identified in the literature were analyzed and entered into a spreadsheet. Alberta Transportation prepared a preliminary map of navigated waterways based on the spreadsheet. A list of boating clubs and municipalities was prepared (Appendix B). The preliminary map and spreadsheets were shared with the clubs and municipalities starting from those sources likely to have broad information and becoming increasingly targeted as additional information was collected and added to the spreadsheet. Information was gathered using e-mail, telephone discussion, face-to-face meetings and group events as appropriate. Towards the end of the study a second spreadsheet was created that identified waterways that might have the potential to be navigated but for which no information had been found. This was derived from previous mapping by Alberta Transportation of Navigable Waters based on channel characteristics. It was easier for those approached for information to look over the list to identify waterways used than to examine the entire data set and try to determine what was missing. As information was gathered on these streams they were removed from the spreadsheet. The most recent version is in Appendix D. The beginning and end points of reaches used were available in various formats. The guide books and many of the information providers gave directions to access points using landmarks and roadways. In some cases coordinates were provided and in other cases points were drawn directly on maps. In all instances points were verified using topographic and road maps and Google Earth. The latitude and longitude coordinates were taken from Google Earth. 1 Since the information is not intended to provide guidance to boaters, the reaches do not correspond to common river trips. Where multiple reaches are identified for a single waterway, it is because of a change in the nature or level of use. Additional information entered in the spreadsheet using the categories discussed below. Use Amount is described subjectively using the following ratings: Rare, Occasional, Light, Regular, Heavy and may be interpreted as: Rare – used opportunistically by few parties and not every year Occasional – used by a few parties for a short period annually Light – used by a small number of parties annually during the boating season Regular – used by a moderate number of parties continuously through the boating season Heavy – used by a large number of parties at all times during the boating season The reasons for the level of use are not identified. Heavy use areas tend to be those that have reliable flows, are close to population centres, and have easy access. The limitations on use vary. In many cases in southern Alberta and the mountain areas the streams only have adequate flows for boaters during the short spring runoff period. In the northern areas remoteness and poor access limit use. Use Type is identified into the following: Canoe/Kayak Trip, Whitewater Kayak, Commercial Rafting, Drift Boat, Tubing, and Jet Boats. A few instances of Personal Water Craft use were also identified. The categories can be interpreted as follows: Canoe/Kayak Trip – This is a broad category identifying reaches used primarily by canoes or kayaks for single or multiday trips. Rafts and other craft may use all or portions of the reach as well. Whitewater Kayak – These are areas used by technical paddlers and contain rapids and other navigational challenges. They may also be used by covered canoes and whitewater rafts. Commercial Rafting – This identifies reaches where commercial rafting was known to operate at the time this study took place. The number of operators and locations of operations changes from year to year. Drift Boat – This a type of river boat primarily used by fishermen and fishing outfitters. Tubing – This refers to the use of inner tubes and similar inflated devices to passively float down rivers and streams. It includes both casual use and commercial operations. Jet Boats – These are high powered river craft capable of maneuvering upstream and downstream through shallow water. No organized Jet Boat organizations were identified. The use reports are based primarily on the observations of other boaters. Personal water craft are a type of jet boat and capable of navigating the similar waters. Where multiple use types are identified within a reach different user groups may be using different parts of the reach. For example, whitewater kayakers may use only a portion of a reach used by those 2 on a canoe trip. The canoe trippers may avoid paddling the section used by the whitewater kayakers. Similarly tubers typically restrict their trips to segments of streams that can be floated within a few hours. Comments are those of the individuals providing information and have not been edited. References include published an unpublished sources. The numbers are published sources corresponding to the references listed in Appendix A. In the case of multiple first hand reports, the reference listing is restricted to the longest established organization. Due to their transient nature, where other sources exist, web sites have been avoided as references. Discussion The database captures the vast majority of waterways used by boaters in Alberta. Since it is based solely on reports of use, one cannot assume that waterways absent from the listing are not used by boaters. Similarly the identification of types of craft and level of use are based on subjective reporting and must be treated with caution. Many Alberta rivers and creeks can only be used during periods of high flow and are generally only navigated in spring and early summer. Some creeks close to urban areas and where there is continuous flow monitoring are used opportunistically during high flow events. The information for the south half of the province is the most reliable. There is generally good access to waterways, a large number of users and good documentation. By contrast in the northern parts of the province are sparsely populated with few organized groups and less documented use. There are several waterways that appear navigable but have poor access. There could be local use that was not identified by the sources contacted during the course of this study. The development of roadways in such areas could result in increased use of waterways. 3 APPENDIX A LIST OF REFERENCES AND WEB SITES LIST OF REFERENCES 1. Alberta Business Development and Tourism 1978. Canoe Alberta. Surveys and Mapping Branch, Alberta Transportation. Edmonton, Alberta. Map. 2. Alberta Forest Service 1978. The Clearwater River: A Map/Guide for River Travel. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources. Edmonton, Alberta. 35 pp. 3. Buhrmann, H. and D. Young 1982. Canoeing Chinook Country Rivers. University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge, Alberta. 154 pp.. 4. Canoe Alberta 1974. Canoeing Alberta: A Trip Guide to Alberta’s Rivers. Travel Alberta. Red Deer, Alberta. 51 pp. 5. Dickinson, D and D. Baresco 2003. Prairie River: A Canoe and Wildlife Viewing Guide to The South Saskatchewan River from Grand Forks, Alberta to Estuary, Saskatchewan. Society of Grasslands