Caption: Sand River Falls campsite. Photo by Tim LutzCaption: Sand River Falls campsite. Photo by Tim Lutz
Eco-Journal, v.16.4, September/October 2006
By Liz Dykman
“The Manigotagan River is stunningly beautiful and a world-class example of how eco-tourism can help maintain wild places and boost local economies.’—Ron Thiessen, Exec. Director, Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Over the summer our GIS/Mapping Centre began a project to create a canoe map of the Manigotagan River, with the goal of promoting environmentally sensitive use of the area and raising awareness of its history and ecosystems. The field work for the project was comprised of three trips along the river. Starting near the Ontario border at Hwy 314, our route took us 100 km through Nopiming and Manigotagan River Provincial Parks to the community of Manigotagan on Lake Winnipeg.
Our mission was to gather information on geographic and cultural features, portage routes, campsites, rapids and access points. There were certainly challenges, but mostly I was hard pressed to remember that this was work—especially when I was swimming below a waterfall or just enjoying the gorgeous scenery.
The first trip started out in mid-July with unseasonably low water levels and high fire risk. Under the leadership of Anke Kirch, the manager of the project, we got a good start at gathering the huge amount of data required for the maps. Days were long, but this allowed us the opportunity to observe numerous beavers and otters that were active in the evening. We also spotted deer, moose and several bears, and had more intimate encounters with mosquitoes and leeches.
Trip two focussed on gathering photos and videos of the river, and trip three filled in information gaps and served to verify data. Although there were some close calls (which served to add to the excitement), there were no serious mishaps in the way of unexpected swims while running rapids. We also had plenty of chances to appreciate the local and migrating bird species, with an impressive show put on by the swooping nighthawks at Sand River Falls. In addition to flocks of Canada geese, there were cormorants, plovers, ducks of all sorts (my birding skills are unfortunately rather limited!) and a Tundra Swan.
Due to the extremely dry conditions this summer, the river got lower with each successive trip, but wind and weather were generally in our favour, and allowed for thoroughly enjoyable trips while we gathered GPS data, photos, notes about the various campsites and other information, such as the relative difficulty or ease of rapids and portages. The combination of lovely scenes, fun paddling and good company made for a memorable experience for all participants.
Besides a wide diversity of wildlife and natural beauty, we also noticed evidence of the impact that recreational use is having on some sites along the river. This speaks to the need for education about responsible use and low-impact camping that is a goal of the project. The river is a popular route for canoeists because of its accessibility by road and the variety of whitewater challenges it presents.
Caption: Gathering GPS coordinates of Manigotagan River features. Photo by Tim Lutz
Along the length of our route we ran, lined or portaged around 25 rapids, falls and swifts. These features have colourful names such as Ruff Knuckle Falls, and Flour, Wendigo and Skunk Rapids. The stories behind these names are part of the information we hope to include in the maps, along with information about the geography, flora and fauna of the route. We will also provide information about trip planning, environmentally friendly behaviour, and safety, with a focus on the protection of the water resource and adjacent land areas.
The final products of the project will be two maps, a waterproof paper map for orientation in the field, and a digital, interactive version that will provide additional information and allow for updates based on user feedback.
Information about the history and culture of the area has so far been provided by helpful folks in Manigotagan, including Charles Simard, who is the River Steward of the Manigotagan River. The river was a transportation corridor during the local gold rush and there are still some significant historical artefacts, including the ‘Alligator´, a steam engine that was used to move equipment up the river. Legend has it that it was abandoned in the spot where it still rests when the cook of the crew quit.
No such disasters marred our exploration of this beautiful river on Manitoba´s east side. We hope that through the production of the canoe maps, we can help other travellers enjoy it in a sustainable way for many years to come. The first drafts are scheduled to be published next spring.
Many thanks go out to the various volunteers and working holiday-ers who helped out with GPS readings, photography and videography, and the all important work of paddling all day and carrying heavy gear over portages: Tim Lutz, Ron Thiessen, Larry Laliberté, Trish Fitzpatrick, Carolyne and Diana Epp-Fransen, and Margerit, Madeleine and Lucas Roger.
Funding for the project came from Manitoba Conservation Parks Branch through the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund, EJLB Foundation and Mountain Equipment Co-op. Guiding services were provided by Northern Soul Wilderness Adventures.
If you have questions about the project or would like to get involved by assisting with research, contact the GIS/Mapping Centre at 947-6511 or gismanager@mbeconetwork.org.