Saturday, May 24, 2025

Downstream on the Sturgeon

While waiting for the lakes to met out, I went back to the Sturgeon (launching in Oakmont) and followed the river a few kilometres downstream. I recall reading a newspaper story years ago about the Sturgeon downstream from St. Albert being an endless series of beaver dams and oxbows. 


About 1km from the launch, I hit my first beaver dam (still under construction). It didn't look like much from upstream--just a line on the water.


The river was flowing over top on the left (looking downstream) so I paddled up to it on the right to a get look. The drop was about 12 inches (no big deal) and the channel on the left side looked pretty clear.


It was a quick and easy run over the edge. The problem was the volume and drop meant I couldn't get back up (I'm reasonably strong but the current was stronger!).


Fortunately, there was a good pull out just 30 feet downstream so, when I came back, I just carried around. That might not be as easy where the bank gets higher further out of town.


The rest of the trip downstream was pretty hoo-hum. Basically, multiple kilometres of this shot. I saw a few beavers and another, smaller dam (could paddle back up it). Eventually, the wind kicked up and I turned around.


There were two pair of geese duking it out over this abandoned eagle's nest, which was the most interesting thing I saw. Maybe the river gets more interesting further downstream?


I also picked up my first bit of lost fishing gear of the season, snagged on some reeds.

Looking forward to the lakes opening, hopefully soon!

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Back on the Sturgeon

The Sturgeon River opened up in early April and by the 10th, I was back out for the season. The Mission launch downtown was doable but looked gross and hard. Instead, I went over to the DIY launch in Oakmont (at the intersection of Olivier Close and Otter Crescent). You got through the brick arch, follow the brick path until it turns and then down the grassy slope, and across the matted floodplain grass to the water.


The best entry spot this year was immediately downstream from the abandoned beaver lodge (now just a pile of dirt and sticks) behind boat in picture above. The footing was interesting (boggy with hidden logs) but an easy launch and landing.


The water was high with the run off and I went upstream to St. Albert Trail and back (6.75km in 90 minutes). There was a lot of beaver activity in the evening (like maybe 10 beavers and lots of downed trees on the banks).

The only paddling issue was this tiny shelf (shot looking downstream) just up from the launch. It is the base of an old beaver dam and required 30-seconds of moderate paddling to mount (no big deal) but might be tricky in a SUP (if so, you could get out and walk around pretty easy).


There was still some snow in shady areas but the rest was melted out. There were a few early geese, ducks, and waxwings plus I heard a robin.


I saw some wild asparagus (tawny patch behind the horizontal tree branch in the middle of the frame above) and the remains of wild cucumber vines and (inedible) fruit in the trees below.


Mostly it was a lovely paddle, with great reflections and no one else on the river. The late-summer funk that you sometimes get on the Sturgeon was not particularly noticeable, although the water was pretty dark and dank.



Overall, a nice shakedown cruise with a super warm sun on my back while we waited for the local lakes to open up.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

2024 wrap-up

I snuck in a few last paddles in November on the river to wrap up the 2024 season with 66 outings between March 17 and November 16. Overall, I think it was a pretty successful year.


I hit 22 new lakes this year, including some that I have been looking to knock off my to-do list for a long time.

We had some great trips (Waterton, Cypress Hills, Okanagan) that included paddling. Lake Kalamalka (by Vernon), Spruce Coulee Reservoir (by Medicine Hat), and Lower Waterfowl Lake (by Saskatchewan Crossing) were among my favourites.

I also created a more user-friendly Guide to Lakes.

Now onto 2025!

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Muir Lake

Late last October, I popped out to Muir Lake for quick paddle at lunch. Temperatures had been consistently below freezing overnight and I found a fair bit of ice on arrival (the air was +3C), including about 20 feet out from the launch.



Fortunately, the ice was thin and easily broken by my foot and then the bow of the kayak. Once clear of that, there was just a bit of floating ice in the northern half of the lake.



There was also a good sheet of ice halfway down the lake, where it pinches together at the island.


Both sides of the island were frozen (you can see my paddle resting on the ice with the island in the background). I managed to push through to the open southern basin without too much trouble.



The reflections were great on the calm water and, by the time I was off, the ice was starting to break up in the sun and the rising temperatures.



This was a good reminder that the flat-water season was coming to an end (the North Saskatchewan was ice free) and also to get my skates sharpened up!