Here's a juicy tidbit from the white water proposal site:
"There is the possibility of a rubber dam mentioned in the report. What are the benefits? Technology exists to increase the height of existing weir structures by attaching an inflatable rubber structure. Raising the height of the weir by nearly a metre translates into a substantial increase in capacity of power generation. Increasing the head height would also benefit the water part design.
Use of an inflatable rubber dam would create great bank stability upstream as water level fluctuations can be controlled and maintained by increasing or decreasing the dam height in unison with changes in river flow."
An inflatable rubber dam? Wow, that sounds really attractive. Could it perhaps be bright pink or orange, something eye catching? All the green around the riverbank in the summer gets so dull--green trees, grass, the glassy green of the river water. And I bet you could get a corporate sponsor for something like that--Trojan, perhaps?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Hydro power?
The City of Saskatoon has kicked in a wack of money--over three hundred thousand dollars--to try to find out if a small hydro dam could be part of the Artificial White-Water Playground. Rumour has it that council is divided over how the power generated would be used. Apparently a couple of the councillors would like to see a portrait, in multi-coloured LEDs, of our esteemed Mayor's silhouette on the riverbank adjacent to the fake rapids. Others want the power generated to light up a sculpture of Mickey Mouse. These honest councillors recognize the connection between the proposed park and the inevitable disney-fication of the weir. [Editor's note: this rumour turned out to be an April fool's joke, but we include it here for its entertainment value.]
Calgary Weir Project
Calgary is at work now on changing the weir on the Bow River. The new design will allow for passage of boats and fish, and will make what was a very dangerous weir into a safe place. Anyone who accidentally falls in at this location on the Bow will not inevitably drown--as was the case in the past.
This is not comparable to the white water project proposed for Saskatoon's weir. For one thing, our weir is not easily accessible by boaters or swimmers. Our weir does not regularly drown people, though it can, of course, be hazardous--just like the river itself, with it's eddies and undercurrents.
The cost of the Calgary project was originally pegged at 6.4 million. That cost has now risen to a whopping 17 million.
Proponents of the artificial white-water proposal for Saskatoon's weir say it will cost 5 million (plus a mere 42 million for the proposed hydro dam. How realistic is this?
And how will this affect what is right now a contemplative spot? Today the weir is a relaxing place, where people come to watch the pelicans fish; where couples come to kiss or argue, to plan their weddings and their divorces; where commuters stop to eat a quick burger while watching the water course over the weir; where joggers stretch as they prepare to run along the river bank.
Is it a good idea to make more of our river into a playground? Do we need or want a paddling pool for white-water enthusiasts who don't feel like shooting down real rapids?
What's next, bungee jumping from the railway bridge?
The Calgary website about the Bow River project (named the Harvie Passage after a local philanthropist) admits that the "unnatural" congregation of pelicans at their weir will end with the construction of the new design. Proponents of the Saskatoon white water playground aren't saying much about bird habitat these days.
What do we want, pelicans or a paddling playground? So far there has been limited public debate about this. We at Pelican Watch think it's time to get talking.
This is not comparable to the white water project proposed for Saskatoon's weir. For one thing, our weir is not easily accessible by boaters or swimmers. Our weir does not regularly drown people, though it can, of course, be hazardous--just like the river itself, with it's eddies and undercurrents.
The cost of the Calgary project was originally pegged at 6.4 million. That cost has now risen to a whopping 17 million.
Proponents of the artificial white-water proposal for Saskatoon's weir say it will cost 5 million (plus a mere 42 million for the proposed hydro dam. How realistic is this?
And how will this affect what is right now a contemplative spot? Today the weir is a relaxing place, where people come to watch the pelicans fish; where couples come to kiss or argue, to plan their weddings and their divorces; where commuters stop to eat a quick burger while watching the water course over the weir; where joggers stretch as they prepare to run along the river bank.
Is it a good idea to make more of our river into a playground? Do we need or want a paddling pool for white-water enthusiasts who don't feel like shooting down real rapids?
What's next, bungee jumping from the railway bridge?
The Calgary website about the Bow River project (named the Harvie Passage after a local philanthropist) admits that the "unnatural" congregation of pelicans at their weir will end with the construction of the new design. Proponents of the Saskatoon white water playground aren't saying much about bird habitat these days.
What do we want, pelicans or a paddling playground? So far there has been limited public debate about this. We at Pelican Watch think it's time to get talking.
Welcome to Pelican Watch! This is a new site hosted by a loose-knit group of Saskatoonites dedicated to the preservation of pelican habit on the South Saskatchewan River. This site will feature pelican photos, pelican facts, information on our river and our weir, as well as dialogue about threats to bird habitat and the contemplative enjoyment of the South Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
Stay tuned for more.
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