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!

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.

Even more of the Sturgeon

As we waited for the lakes to melt out, we were back on the Sturgeon last weekend, spending two-and-half hours paddling up and collecting garbage. We put in at Red Willow Park again. 

Street parking, then through the gates and the trees beyond, over the marsh and into the river from the bank. It was a bit muckier this time as the ground had thawed.

The water was at summer levels (so 12-36" deep). We chased two heron up the river for awhile (one is seated on the broken beaver dam below).

There were also ducks, geese, and briefly a bunch of robins fleeing some kind of small hawk.

Jenn managed to get a reusable shopping bag full of bottles and plastics (the bag itself also came from the river) before giving up. 

Round trip was about 6km. About 2 hours going upstream (current, wind, garbage picking) and 30 minutes back down!

Overall, it was lovely. We turned around at the Mission boat launch (below). The launch is far out of the water and pretty grown in. I would think a bank launch would be easier than using it. 

We had a lovely return trip. I managed to run around by taking the left change when the river braided. We also got to watch some guys in a canoe somehow dip their gunwale below the water and get wet.

Getting out was tricky because the boat kept slipping back down the muck when I shifted my weight to stand up. I also managed to cut myself (somehow???) getting out of the boat and left behind a small trail of blood for you to follow back to the river.

 

It looks like Astotin is open so I hope to hit that this week.

More on the Sturgeon

While we wait for the lakes to open up, we were back on the Sturgeon last week. I dragged the kid along and we put in again in Oakmont and this time went upstream a ways.

About the most exciting part of the trip was coming through this washed out beaver dam. Otherwise, the current was negligible.

The evening light was beautiful the whole trip and made it seem much warmer than the 10C that it was.

This vine was way up several trees as we paddled by.

 

The spiky fruit pods seem to suggest it is wild cucumber.

After about an hour of pretty relaxing paddling, we turned around and floated back. There were a small number of ducks and geese and such.

I didn't get a picture but Jess spotted a beaver swimming ahead of us and we got several tail slaps as we pulled into the landing.

Absent some rain, I think we'll be in for a short season on the Sturgeon as the water was pretty low.

Early start on 2024: The Sturgeon

It has been a warm winter and early spring. That meant a portion of the Sturgeon River was open on March 17. I put in at the corner of Otter Crescent and Olivier Close and paddled downstream (north). Street parking about a 150-foot carry to the water. Just through the stone archway and head directly towards the river through the grass and shore weeds. 

I put in slightly upstream of the storm sewer outflow by an old beaver lodge. Pretty easy in and out. The bed of the river was frozen and the water was about 9 inches deep. I went upstream a ways (it was open to Canadian Tire) but kept dragging on the bottom so I turned and and went about 2.5 km downstream (started to lose the light so headed back).

Lovely quiet evening with only one other group of paddlers out.

There were a fair few birds: waxwings, the first robins, and a woodpecker hammering away.

This eagle's nest had two geese checking it out.

Overall, a lovely evening (+14C) on the water and about six weeks earlier than usual. I expect we'll be back to ice shortly but this was a welcomed treat.

Sturgeon River

In early August, water on the Sturgeon River in St Albert was high enough to get a decent paddle in. It has been almost two years since there's been enough volume to make it a worthwhile paddle.

I put in at the boat launch in Riel Recreation Park. This was a so-so launch. The dock let me get in dry footed at least. The ducks on the dock were not phased by my appearance.

I saw a heron grooming itself in a tree on the way down. And I saw an osprey duke it out with a bald eagle above downtown St Albert!.

Floating through St. Albert is always a treat. Lots of pretty vistas and the weather was great.

The boat launch at Mission was a bit of a mess. The low water had really encouraged the swamp to grow in here. You could get a boat through the weeds but it would likely be icky.

I then went further down stream to the Boudreau bridge. This was about a 9km round trip and was lovely. I was the only one on the water except right at the end when I passed another person heading out.

Overall, a fun paddle with lots to see. It was nice to have a paddle within 20 minute of my house! I understand there is a new launch further down stream so I may try that if I get a chance this summer.