What could go wrong with the Kinder Morgan pipeline?

Like many Canadians, I am awestruck at the sight of the Rocky Mountains. Thousands of international tourists have the same feeling upon their first glimpse of the Canadian Rockies.

All year long, there are tremendous hiking and viewing areas available for all to show people the power of Mother Nature. Start in the Kootenay area national parks and head on up to Yoho and Banff where there is dazzling scenery everywhere. Check out Mount Robson Provincial Park or Jasper National Park area and see the start of the mighy Fraser River, clear as any mountain water can be. This truly is a rich Canadian heritage. The current and proposed Kinder Morgan oil/bitumen pipeline blasts across the prairies from Edmonton into the foothills of the Rockies, past Edson and Hinton. It then continues well into the heart of the magnificent Rockies right past, and through, one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Most people have no idea of the actual route of the Kinder Morgan Pipeline. Just ask them. Do you? If you do, what is the national park? Right? It is magnificent Jasper National Park. The pipeline runs right over the Athabasca River right near Jasper. Got that, Alberta? The line then crashes into British Columbia by crossing the start of the Fraser River just before pristine Moose Lake, just south of Mount Robson Provincial Park. The waters here are still clear and beautiful.

The line crosses over to the north side of the Fraser River here and continues to another crossing to the south side of the Fraser, just above Jackman Flats Provincial Park. If you camp at the foot of Mount Robson, it is easy to find the start of the Fraser River and hike into viewing areas. At this time of the year it is a raging, boiling cauldron, so do be cautious.

The Kinder Morgan line does not head north with the Fraser to Prince George but cuts south here into, can you guess it? More mountain ranges in the Rocky Mountain trench and to the west.

Heading south to Valemount, it is just north of huge Kinbasket Lake and crosses a tributary of the mighty Columbia River system. Yes, this is the Mica dam area, north of Revelstoke.

Heading south now, along the Blue River it will rapidly crisscross many tributaries of the North Thompson as the pipeline rushes toward Vavenby and Kamloops. Do you know where the North Thompson River is headed?

You may have guessed, of course, the Thompson River which collects the South Thompson and rushes on to — you’ve got it — the mighty Fraser once again. In many places the pipeline is less than 100 metres from the rivers.

What could possibly go wrong? Think disastrous flooding, ice jams, debris jams or a just plain “ordinary” line breaks from age of the current line.

Now, the pipeline crosses over the wide Thompson River just west of Kamloops and a little east of Kamloops Lake. Are you still with me? Do you see what could happen if anything goes wrong? Think salmon.

Heading south again, the pipeline wanders around mountain tops and through narrow valleys to just above Nicola Lake in the Merritt area as it tries to find the Fraser again. But, it is actually the Clearwater River that it picks up now just south of Merritt. Interesting name for a pristine river, aye. And it runs through a huge area of native reserve land. They are very protective of their rights and responsibilities to the land.

Crisscrossing the Clearwater River many times, the pipeline finally finds the Fraser again at Hope. We can only hope that there will not be future problems.

Here, the Kinder Morgan pipeline and proposed twinning are on the south side of the Fraser cutting through some of the best agricultural land in the world which is also very susceptible to flooding.

What could possibly go wrong? Think agriculture and basic food supply.

Not to mention densely populated areas. What could … oh, you know. There are also wildlife sanctuaries all along this route, like the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve just downstream from another river crossing.

Heading directly west, below the Fraser, the pipeline takes a wild run around Fort Langley and crosses the Fraser River just below Douglas Island and above the new Port Mann bridge in a wide crossing of the Fraser.

Yup, the same Fraser as the one that began at Jasper. Watch for it, and think about it, next time you cross the Port Mann.

Finally, it staggers toward its terminal through one of the most densely-populated areas in the Lower Mainland, known as Burnaby. Here the Trans Mountain pipeline has burst drenching a residential area and flushing into drainage.

Do you see why half or more of B.C. residents do not want the pipeline to expand or even to continue?

And, then there is the Salish Sea or Juan de Fuca Strait, or Burrard Inlet, or Stanley Park, or English Bay’s beaches, or Victoria to pass by just to get the “product” out. What could go wrong? Now you know. For more information: www.wildernesscommittee.org/kinder_ morgan_pipeline_route_maps.

Reg Volk is a retired teacher who resides in Kelowna. This column runs monthly. Opinions are his own. To contact the writer: regvolk@shaw.ca.