No need for speed on river: paddlers
Several paddling groups are asking city hall to consider a speed limit for the North Saskatchewan River, saying increased river access will also mean more noise and waves to rock the lighter craft.
Restricting jet boats to about 30 kilometres per hour would still let them get up on top of the water and have control in the shallows, but would limit the number of annoying joyriders and associated noise pollution, they say.
“They think it’s a joke to see if they can swamp canoeists out there,” said Mark Lund, who leads paddling expeditions with the local Ceyano Canoe Club.
The speed limit could be imposed between the Laurier Park and 50th Street boat launches near each corner of the city. The city could apply for it under the federal act controlling navigable waters.
The city is currently consulting with user groups on a river access plan, prompted in part by new federal funding for boat launches in the Edmonton area.
Parks staff hope to have a draft plan this spring.
The idea of a speed limit has been brought up several times, and the city is considering it, said parks planner Michelle Hartlaub.
In an online survey, 70 per cent of Edmontonians were in favour of some limits on river activities to ensure safety and environmental protection.
But if staff argue for a speed limit, they will have to put resources into enforcing it.
Canoeists also need to realize some speed is necessary, said Keith Rae of Get Hooked Fishing Adventures. Jet boats create less wake when they go at least 25 kilometres per hour, he said.
If kayaks and canoes could stick to the edges of the river, that would help, too, he said. But many jet boats can reach 40 or even 70 kilometres per hour, and skippers need education, respect and compromise, Rae said.
“I wouldn’t have a problem with (going) 30 clicks. You’re down there to enjoy the setting.”
Jarrett Campbell said he doesn’t see that many boats when he’s out fishing near Laurier Park — maybe 10 in four hours — “but half of those are just absolutely flying down the river.”
He uses a small aluminum fishing boat circa 1976 whose speed tops out at 30 kilometres per hour.
If a speed limit makes more residents feel safe to get on the river, let’s have it, he said.
But Cal Kullman, who leads high school science classes on the river 60 days a year, said he’d be sorry if speed limit enforcement used up precious cash that could go to creating more low-impact access points.
“Does that mean our river valley rangers would need to buy radar guns?” he said.
He sees the biggest conflicts around the 50th Street boat launch, where it seems many people try out their jet boats, wake boats and Sea Doos before taking them to nearby lakes.
“They’re priming their boats, so they let ’er rip,” he said. “I’m not sure the average motorized boat operator understands what it’s like to float around in its wake.”
If Edmonton had canoe access every five kilometres or so, it wouldn’t have so many users trying to get in at the same location, Kullman said.