General

We need everyone involved here.
Contact everyone you think will make a difference.
Instead of writing another post please go to this tread on My ccr on the subject
This will and could affect many other portages in Ontario.

http://www.myccr.com/phpbbforum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=43029&p=396176#p39…

Yeah I know it is sort of environment.... ;)
But not everyone reads it and it is a great activity.

Here is something to do with the kids/grandkids this summer even if you stay at home, better if you go on a canoe trip...
Even though it is an American study they want Canadians too! Especially becasue of climate change so they can track movement.
They are also trying to come up with a way to save native species.

http://www.lostladybug.org/

And don't forget these other things!
http://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/

Jeff

Well I figured it was time to launch a blog on the Agawa since there is so little info out there.
Will be glad to help out anyone who wants to visit the area.
http://agawagroupofseven.blogspot.ca/

I have found there is so little information on the area and I think it is important that we as a paddling fraternity share the knowledge so everyone can enjoy all the great areas that we can paddle in.

For those who don't know me I have been paddling since 67, WW since 68 and have been paddling the Agawa since 1985.
Jeff

The WCA’s Board of Directors and Outings Committee has been reviewing our club policy on allowing non-members on club outings. Currently, non-members, at the organizer’s discretion, may be allowed to participate in an outing. We have discussed liability issues arising from non-members on club outings with our insurer. Their position is that if a non-member is allowed on a club outing, they ask that we have the person sign our WCA waiver of liability form (see attachment). Our club’s philosophy is that the benefits of membership, including participation in our outings program, are readily apparent from our website, and that our membership fee is modest compared to other paddling and outdoors clubs. Consequently, we have concluded that going forward participation in WCA outings should be limited to members and a sponsored guest of a member who is accompanying the individual on the outing. For example, members would be able to bring a family member or friend to paddle with them on a trip. People with no such personal attachment to a member will be asked to join our community of paddlers to enjoy the benefits of membership.

If a family member or friend is accompanying a club member on an outing, the organizer should have the guest sign our waiver form and scan & email, or mail it to the Outings Chairman (Bill Ness) to be retained on file. Alternatively, the organizer may delegate this responsibility to the member bringing the guest.

We hope that you will understand the reasons for this policy and support it.

Bill Ness & Mary Perkins
WCA Outings Committee

This just in to me from the Credit valley Conservation Authority.

[quote]Lampricide Treatment on the Credit River

Public notice from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) regarding lampricide in the Credit River. The revised treatment section will be from Norval to Port Credit. The river will be a yellowy-green during treatment.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is planning to treat approximately 61 km of the Credit River between Cheltenham and Lake Ontario with the lampricide TFM (3-Trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol) to reduce the resident larval Sea lamprey population. Lampricide will be applied for approximately 14 hours from a point on the river near the municipality of Norval, but will take several days to reach Lake Ontario.

Timing of the treatment is dependent upon streamflow and weather conditions, and is tentatively scheduled for the period between June 19-23, 2014.

Lampricide selectively kills Sea Lamprey larvae, but may also result in the death of other fish that are weakened by disease, spawning or other environmental factors. Although lampricide is not harmful to humans or other animals at the concentrations used during treatment, any use of stream water for irrigation and drinking should be suspended for a 24-hour period during the treatment.

The Sea lamprey is an invasive species in the Great Lakes. Since the 1950’s, DFO’s Sea Lamprey Control Centre has worked under an international agreement with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission towards the delivery of effective Sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes.

2011 Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91080279@N05/sets/72157644829329299/

For more information contact:
Sea Lamprey Control Centre
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
1219 Queen St. East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5
T. 800-553-9091 | Fax. 705-941-3025
Consult the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website at:
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/lamprey-lamproie-eng.htm[/quote]

Jeff
It is not the first time and I remember many years ago paddling down the river and have the colour change. When it mixes with the air is when you get the wield colours.

Chance of Aurora Friday June 13, Evening

Link
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Go to the aurora gallery and some shots have what the photographer did.
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/

Well there is a chance so hopefully something will pop up.
Even though there is also a full moon there is still a chance you can see a good show.
My aurora Agawa pics from 2012 was during a full moon too.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ej_l6uulTosefTkKvIriJtMTjNZETYmyP…
Even with a small camera depending on the settings you should be able to get a shot.
You will need a tripod or at least an area where your camera is not going to move or be bumped.
Make sure your settings are on for noise reduction, and long exposure.
Use a remote if you have one or use the self timer.
If you don’t have a mirror lockup on your DSLR “hug” your camera after you press the shutter button, after the mirror has gone up you can slowly release your grip, this will help with camera vibration. (to a certain point the camera I used in 2012 didn’t have the lockup feature, so sometimes the hugs worked and sometimes I was the problem.)
Even though you may not see the aurora your camera will, and that is a good sign things are about to begin. Take an image just after the sun goes over the horizon and you might see some pink/red/green/ or blue colouring on your viewer. The pinks red will not look like sunset colours.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TOMMrLl-Or9SYHDw6dlNY9MTjNZETYmyP…
When it is darker sometimes the aurora will start as a glowing cloud or a line in the sky, or as in the case of 2012 on the Agawa it started as weird haze or fog and it was blocking out the stars. And then it just exploded from the sky and it can last various lengths of time.
With any luck we will get a good show.

Well this just slipped in in May...
Just so you know how the Feds are doing...
Here are a few links to help you on.....
(Gee do you sense hesitation on my part...)

http://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/ncp/index.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/national-conservation-plan-ignores-na…

And this just in from my daily reading of House of Commons announcements..
http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=6630988&…

And my favourite quote was near the top from Minister Agluakkaq

[quote] As you are aware, Environment Canada is a science-based department[/quote]

Jeff

You actually use it online, you don't have to download the program.
Lots of fun to play with.

http://www.photoshop.com/tools

Some work, some... well.
But you can also convert to B&W

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U1JmscBPB6c/U5JC_6fGOsI/AAAAAAAAJMI/…

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w6ROKDtRVss/U5JDAEDrc4I/AAAAAAAAJMI/…

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aEYYuv0ShAs/U5JC8gGzXMI/AAAAAAAAJMI/…

Jeff

 Symposium will take place on 20-21 February at Monarch Park Collegiate. Forward your program suggestions to aleks.gusev@gmail.com

Hope to see you there. 

Aleks

I thought I would share this, The Montreal River Harbour facebook shared a posting from the US Coast Guard. I thought those visiting this site could use the warning.

[quote]Water temperatures on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior remain extremely cold even as we enter June! Even strong swimmers are in danger after just a few minutes in the unusually cold water. Be careful and always wear a life jacket![/quote]

Here's a Link to the Coast Guard facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/AIRSTATVC/posts/300595296773809

And my experience to share.
[quote]f your body is hot you may not even last that long if you are a strong swimmer. You will sink like a rock as every muscle seizes.! Happened to me at the end of a 8K kayak race and the water was very warm over 25c in the river. Good thing it was shallow and they pulled me out very quickly. and oh yes I was showing off came in close 2nd, Stood up after I crossed the finish line and jumped out.....And I was in my peak physical shape back then, I was racing Internationally.....didn't do that again.[/quote]
Race was on the Credit down by the Missy canoe club, Reed Oldershaw, Uncle to Olympian Mark Oldershaw beat me by a hair.

Just show some caution when out there, and remember warmer water coming in from the rivers will cause strange waves and water temperature sheer lines.
Which could keep an unconscious victim from floating to the surface.