Rafting down the bow river

[stampsx2]

Sorry about the one year bump.

Does anyone know if the new weir (Harvie Passage) on the Bow river is near completion? I read on the site it was suppose to be done in 2008 but I know there is construction going on. It was suppose to be raft and canoe friendly.

[surferguy]

no it is not complete

[fleuryisgod]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Sorry about the one year bump.

Does anyone know if the new weir (Harvie Passage) on the Bow river is near completion? I read on the site it was suppose to be done in 2008 but I know there is construction going on. It was suppose to be raft and canoe friendly.

As far as I have heard it will still be under construction for this summer and next summer as well.

[You Need a Thneed]

It is not complete. Our company is just starting up there again for the season, it should be done by April 2011.

There are two rapids below the weir that are being tested.

The weir itself hasn't been modified yet, it still has hydraulic action that has the potential to drown people. Due to the rapids built downstream, the water doesn't fall as far over the weir anymore, but it still is dangerous.

We are modifying the shape of the weir this fall/winter, and there is also another rapid to be built between the weir and the two rapids that were built last winter.

[GGG]

The bow is a real river and you should be wearing your life jacket at all times.

The Elbow just have them along and cops won`t care. The elbow river is always getting stuck low except in May and June. Its what makes the Life Jacket bylaw ridiculus on the Elbow.

Have a backpack to put all of your full and empty beer cans in. Keep your raft free of any visable cans and pour your beer into a stainless steal water bottle and you will never get a ticket.

Piss in the river not on peoples lawns.

It is a great time on sunnydays. I aslo recomend an Air Matress over the raft.

[stampsx2]

I think the rapids downstream won't be air mattress friendly when the new weir is complete. On the other hand, it could be fun.

[carom]

Going kayaking on the bow today.

Thought I would share this:

[GGG]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

I think the rapids downstream won't be air mattress friendly when the new weir is complete. On the other hand, it could be fun.

The rapids won;t be crappy walmart boat friendly either. I have always thought the bow needs a real boat not a rubber dingy or a mattress. I usually do the elbow if I am floating and use a canoe in the bow.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by GGG

The rapids won;t be crappy walmart boat friendly either. I have always thought the bow needs a real boat not a rubber dingy or a mattress. I usually do the elbow if I am floating and use a canoe in the bow.

There's going to be 2 sets. One much gentler than the other.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

There's going to be 2 sets. One much gentler than the other.

There will be a narrow section on the Pearce Estate Park side that will be quite gentle. There will be an island diving the two parts.

Testing on the bottom two rapids have been done, but the actual weir modifications are being done this fall/winter. And, like I said, another rapid is being built between the weir and the current two rapids, very near the end of the wall the was extended that separates the weir from the big gates that open up in the winter.

[You Need a Thneed]

They are testing the completed construction at the weir today and tomorrow. It will be open to the public this summer sometime.

Water levels are fairly high right now, but even the slow side of the rapids is looking a bit challenging, depending on what type of craft you would be on.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Sweet!

So that means it will be safe to go down in a regular river floating style dingey then right?

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Sweet!

So that means it will be safe to go down in a regular river floating style dingey then right?

Yup. You will likely want to stay on the right side of the river, though, through the narrower channel.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Sweet!

So that means it will be safe to go down in a regular river floating style dingey then right?

It will be once it's officially open - which won't be until sometime later in the summer.

If the safety buoys are still across, then you are still not allowed over it.

[carom]

I saw some kayakers playing in the waves behind the big first rapid last Thursday night. The rapids on the far right hand side still seem pretty challenging and going down it in a kayak i would definatley want to wear a helmet.

I went from Bowness Park down to Edworthy last Sunday and the river is moving pretty fast and still raising.

I am really looking forward to trip across Calgary this summer with some time to stop and play in the new Harvie Passage.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

......(pulling out is the safest method btw).......

really?1?

[Torture]

Here's the yearly bump for this thread.

Anybody rafted from Banff to Canmore (setting in just after Bow Falls)? Planning on doing that tomorrow, just curious if any CPers had advise.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Locke

Get creative with beverage containers.

[Flacker]

Having floated the southend of the Bow countless times both fishing and just relaxing I will provide some approximate drift times. Drift times are always pretty loose as it will be fully dependant on flow rates and how actively you remain in the main current.

A decent boat is a must and a life jacket is not optional. A good set of oars and oarlocks will make your time a whole lot more relaxing.

Aproximate summer drift times:

17th Ave - Glenmore Trail bridge - 1hr
Glenmore bridge - 22x Bridge (Fish Creek/Deerfoot Meadows launch)-1hr 30min
22x - Deerfoot Bridge (north of Dunbow Road) - 1hr30min
Deerfoot Bridge - Policeman's Flats - 15 minutes
Policeman's Flat's - McKinnon Flats - 2hr30min

Both Fish Creek and Deerfoot Meadows are relatively easy takeout points, the boat launch is on the Fish Creek side.

Launch at Policeman's Flats is fast flowing and requires both experience and strong rowing/power boat to actually use the boat launch to land. There is an area of rocky bank in front of the parking lot that is a relatively easy takeout with an inflatable. Really if you don't use a boat trailer don't attempt to use the boat launch.

Launch at McKinnon is flat and slow, even the most piled up fisherman/floater shouldn't have issues taking out here. The only caution here is to be careful with vehicles in the river rock, it is loose and really easy to get stuck. I have pulled out many a truck from the launch at McKinnon.

Links to locations mentioned:

17th Ave Launch - http://maps.google.ca/?ll=51.037658,...01714&t=h&z=19

Glenmore Trail Launch - http://maps.google.ca/?ll=50.986838,...01714&t=h&z=19

Fish Creek Launch - http://maps.google.ca/?ll=50.896234,...01714&t=h&z=19

Deerfoot Bridge - http://maps.google.ca/?ll=50.854103,...06856&t=h&z=17

Policeman's Flats - http://maps.google.ca/?ll=50.842646,...01714&t=h&z=19

McKinnon Flats - http://maps.google.ca/?ll=50.805484,...01714&t=h&z=19