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!
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