CHOPPY WATERS

Proponents of a whitewater park at the Saskatoon weir have frequently, and with some envy, referred to Calgary’s Bow River weir conversion as an example of what can be achieved.

It turns out that Calgary project isn’t a good model. It is far behind schedule, more than 200 per cent over budget, has already recorded a fatality and was seriously damaged by the June floods there.

The estimated cost in 2002 was $6 million. The current expenditure is $17 million, not including the cost of ancillary services.

Under natural conditions, the drop in water level over the weir produced a dangerous plunging jet on the downstream face, referred to in the engineering report as “retentive” (i.e. difficult to escape from). This was replaced with four smaller drops spread over 260 metres, which converted the flow into a series of whitewater rapids suitable for boating, rafting and kayaking.

None of these constructed drops were affected by the flood but, unfortunately, the character of the river channel changed. The flood, larger than any in the past 100 years, resulted in large transportation of bed sediment. The riverbed and water level downstream from the project dropped, with an extremely dangerous plunging jet developing downstream from the last drop. The public is now warned to stay away from that part of the Bow.

Rehabilitation of the project will add another year to the completion date and another several million dollars in costs.

An appropriate lesson from the Calgary experience: Buyer beware. Cliff Smith Saskatoon