Watershed wide - Ottawa Riverkeeper Paddlers
NEWS FROM THE WATERSHED
Paddling can bring people a close up appreciation of the river and its ecology. The Ottawa is one incredible river for paddling. Physical joy, exhilaration of adventure, closeness to nature, tracing of history, spiritual renewal – these are among many reasons why so many paddlers hear the call of the River.
There are thousands of individuals who take to the river in their canoes, kayaks, and rafts. There are tens of paddling clubs and youth organizations that provide opportunities for recreation and leadership on the river. The Ottawa River paddlers closely sense the direct link between the health of the river and their own well-being.
Thanks to its natural setting and hydrology, together with the vision and hard work of the entrepreneurs and their supporting communities, the Ottawa River has become perhaps the premier paddling-based adventure and eco tourism destinations in the world. In just one Ottawa Valley section, famous for its whitewater rapids, the Rocher Fendu around Beachburg (Ont.) and Davidson (Que.), there are five major whitewater rafting companies and four kayaking and canoeing instruction centres.
From the headwaters at Lake Tamiskaming to the confluence with the St. Lawrence, there are tens more paddling tourism companies, on both sides of the river. These businesses directly employ over a thousand people, and indirectly many thousands more in the travel, outdoors equipment, and other related businesses. Clearly an ecologically sustainable Ottawa River makes great economic sense, and is of significant interest to the paddling-based businesses.
Ottawa Riverkeeper Paddlers who frequent specific areas provide systematic data collection for quality monitoring. Paddlers report events of interest in their communities that potentially impact the river. Paddling organizations provide monitoring and cleanup support, fundraising, and communication channels for the Riverkeeper. Paddling businesses provide fundraising support, and just as importantly, political clout as significant economic stakeholders in the well being of the river.