Richmond Fen Wetland Canoe Excursion
To
members and friends of the Friends of the Jock River
The
Friends of the Jock River will be leading two afternoon canoe/kayak excursions
on Sunday April 26th and Thursday April 30th, into the Richmond Fen Wetland,
the largest provincially significant wetland in Eastern Ontario.
This is a repeat of 2 successful and well attended trips that we organized in
the spring of 2008. We have had many requests for another trip, so here
is the 2009 edition.
If
you participated in the Upper Jock River Canoe and Kayak Race earlier this
month, this is an opportunity to see a different aspect of the Jock River that
you didn’t see during the race, namely, the river will be back within its banks
and the colours of spring will be starting to show. You will also have an
opportunity to slow down and appreciate this unusual part of the river.
The Fen is an incredibly diverse wetland populated by many birds, aquatic
mammals (beaver, otter, muskrat) and plants. At this time of year, the
leaves will be just emerging so the trees, ferns and grasses will be electric
green. Also, some of the trees will be in flower. NB: this is
a special place, a remote part of the wetland that few people get into.
We will be canoeing/kayaking up the Jock River from the Richmond
Centennial Golf Course into the Richmond Fen Wetland and will be returning to
the same site. The entire trip will take less than 4 hours. A map
of the area can be found at: http://www.jockriverrace.ca/Map.html (link is not
hot). There are no rapids on the route and for most of the trip there is
only a mild current; however, there are occasional short stretches of fast
water that may take some effort to paddle up and there will be submerged
hazards such as logs and old beaver dams. Further, there are two active
beaver dams and a few logs that must be hoisted over, so participants must be
comfortable and capable of exiting canoes onto/over potentially slippery and
unstable logs and branches. Depending on water levels, you may have
to step out of the canoe.
When:
Meet at the noted meeting site at 12:00 noon for departure at 12:30PM on either
Sunday April 26th or Thursday April 30th. Expected return is about 4
hours later.
There
are no rain dates; the trips will be cancelled if it is raining heavily.
Drizzle doesn't bother paddlers.
How to get there:
From Barrhaven, drive SW past the Village of Richmond 2-3 km along the Richmond
Road and turn left at the Joys Road (locals call it Joys Side Road). At Ottawa St. jog right then immediately left and continue on the Joys Road past the Centennial
Golf Course. The road becomes a bit rough near the river so do not
attempt to go all the way to the river. Park to one side of the
road. DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD. Carry your canoe or kayak the short
distance to the river. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
Who may participate:
Anyone interested in the Jock River or in the beauty of the Richmond Fen
Wetland. This excursion is not limited to members of the Friend of the Jock River. For all, conditions apply (see below).
What to bring:
Participants must supply their own canoes or kayaks, safety gear and
transportation to the launch site. (NB: Trailhead, a corporate member of
the Friends of the Jock River, rents canoes and kayaks.) Dress
appropriately to the forecast (hat; rain gear) and the activity (potential for
wet feet). Also, sun screen and bug repellent may be appropriate.
Bring your camera, water and snacks.
Conditions: Participants
are responsible for their own safety. Participants must be comfortable
and reasonably competent in a canoe or kayak. They must be able to deal
with submerged water hazards, and to traverse logs and beaver dams
safely. Please note that your canoe or kayak must be outfitted according
to Canadian Coast Guard regulations, which require every canoe or kayak to
carry items such as:
• Appropriately sized, Canadian approved Personal Flotation Device
(PFD) for each person in the craft. NB: The water at this time of
year is cold so the PFD should be worn.
• Sound signalling
device (pea-less whistle)
• Lengths of rope
tied fore and aft of the boat
• 15m of buoyant
rope for use as a throw rope.
• Manual bailer
Contact for further information: Brian Finch via return e-mail or tel.
613-825-8029
Don’t
forget our photo contest (closing on October 31st). If you forget your
camera, you will miss some special shots!!!!!
See you there. Pssst -- pass this e-mail on to anyone who might be
interested in the excursion.
Brian Finch
President
Friends of the Jock River