NR Committee, Report to Chair, Nov 2, 2015

Regarding opening Wood River up for canoe and kayak navigation from Memory Lake HWY 70 bridge.

 

 

I am pleased to report that we came to the conclusion that we can open
the rest with chain saws and hardwork and won’t need to contract the use
of heavy equipment or use explosives as previously thought. When I
looked at this spot a year ago it was without all the experience we
gained this summer working on the rest of the river so I now think with
some hard work, and with a team of experienced sawyers we can open the
rest of the river up much like we did downstream from HWY 70.

Attached to this e-mail are six photos that show some of the blockage
that needs to be worked on and if you think it is appropriate please
share this e-mail and the photos with all other members as well as any
or all other volunteers and interested parties.

At the end of our time together this morning we kicked around ideas
that I said I would put in writing to be discussed and acted upon at our
next meeting:

1) We feel that we need to do some recruiting this winter to get other
interested volunteers (especially skilled sawyers) that want to help for
a day or two next spring. Perhaps there will be members of the Rod and
Gun club that would want to help ?? Julie said she would plant this
seed.

2) We felt that a work day next May or June would be reasonable to shoot
for and we could start on the blockages by the gun club. We could walk
in and out and not even worry about the logistics of boats for this work
day or two. This might make it easier to recruit and get additional
folks to help.

3 Once we get the worst blockages opened by the gun club we could then
plan another work day to float down from Memory Lake to Hwy 70 and open
that stretch up next.

4) Lastly followed by a trip from Hwy 70 to Rasberry landing and once we
do this then let the real celebration begin.

5) We also felt some signs along the gun club property would be in order
as well and could be in a series of small signs spread out along the
river. Something like this……First sign “You are entering Gun club
property” then about 100 feet down river the second sign could say “for
your safety”….followed by a third sign another 100 feet away “stay in
your canoe and below the river bank” or something like that. All these
signs would be oriented like roads signs on the highway.

6) In addition we could put up No Trespassing signs on gun club property
in four or five locations.

7) Then as people float near Hwy 70 we could put up two last signs that
would say …”Leaving Gun Club property”…….”Enjoy the rest of your
trip”.

8) If we decide as a group to do these signs we can assign someone the
task of getting it done this winter so that we are prepared for next
summer.

9) Another option to explore prior to next spring would include cutting
access paths for workers thru the downed brush and prickly ash and this
could be done this winter if conditions would allow. We would obviously
need to gain permision from the Gun club board but this would be
something to consider. In addition to this, we could periodically check
the site this winter and considering ice conditions etc maybe some work
could be done prior to next spring. We would want to kick this idea
around more in person since e-mail can’t do this idea justice.

10) Another idea that came up when I mentioned this to John McNally at
the Body shop was this…… He wondered if we worked with the village
crew prior to our work day next spring or early summer it might be
possible for them to manipulate the water level in the river by
regulating the flow in the river. For example, maybe for a week or two
prior to our work day they could open the dam at memory lake and let
more water flow thru essentially draining Memory Lake then just before
our work day shut the gates up at the dam to really reduce the flow down
river for a day or two. I had never considered this but it sounds to me
that it might be worth exploring.

Thanks

Bob