To block off canoe access part way down the river is a horrible concept. Sure, the money from local canoe and kayak renters is meaningful. Having access to the whole river – using it for transport, having access to the entire length of it, is a delightful wonderful thing that makes my heart so happy. To cut off access and divide the river in this way is just devastating.

Many people don’t realize what a treasure we have in our midst. Unimpeded access to the whole of the river is a true gift we must expand, not curtail.

I did the portage only part way down the millrace this March, with high and fast water, because the millrace was frozen. We couldn’t go further than just a few yards, and so took out just a bit down the path. It was doable but not at all easy. You have to crash down the steep bank, with canoe, find a safe eddy, and push off into what is often fast water as the Allen Creek is coming in right upstream, as well as the water from the dam. It was actually fun, but I was with a very experienced canoeist.

This is not just a local issue. An open river is a joy to paddlers up and down stream, who appreciate both the spirit and the reality of a river that can be paddled beginning to end. The obstacle at Flat Rock is not as commonly encountered, and with a very long walk you can get around the dam and on downstream to Lake Erie. But this is a highly trafficked area that must be kept open. Anything less is a huge step (canoe ride?) backwards.

If you want to read about a canoe trip through this part of the river, with a rescue just above, here is the link to the Observer article I wrote.

Also, the City has at least one canoe transport truck. There’s no reason it can’t move canoes the six blocks from the Argo Livery to the portage site for people who want to paddle to Gallup Park. Patrons could still park and pay the fee for a canoe at Argo, then walk five minutes along that earthen berm to the portage.