2025 RiverWatch
Institute of Alberta
SUNDAY JULY 20TH
9AM - 2:30PM
Meeting at Dawson Park
10298-89 Street NW T5Z 0E7
Only 24 tickets are available for this event.
Tickets are offered on a first-come first-served basis.
Starts at Dawson Park, shuttle to Laurier Park, Eco Float back to Dawson, back at approximately 2:30PM.
Participants must bring their own lunch and snacks
The 3-4 hour EcoFloat takes guests on a 12.5km tour under nine city bridges from the Laurier Park boat launch in Edmonton's west end to the Dawson Park boat launch, just east of downtown. Embark on a journey of discovery with our guides as you learn about the city's fascinating history, river, and geology of this waterway. The North Saskatchewan River is FULL of life and provides exceptional opportunities to see deer, beavers, many species of birds and other wildlife. You'll also learn about the science behind our watershed and better understand how it supports our daily lives.
Further details can be found below or you can visit https://www.riverwatch.ca
FREE TO MEMBERS OF VINTAGE CHARACTERS
| If you register and then have to cancel for any reasonthe the Board of Directors will review the circumstances and there may be a cost associated with the cancellation. | |
FURTHER RIVERWATCH DETAILS
1.) WHERE DO WE MEET OUR SHUTTLE?
· Shuttle Meeting Location – Dawson Park (10298-89 St NW, Edmonton T5Z 0E7): (Note: Our pre-float pick-up location and parking for all guests is at our END POINT for your float. That location is Dawson Park. Once you arrive at Dawson Park, a member of the RiverWatch team will meet you in the parking lot, where you will board a shuttle bus which will take you to the Laurier Park Boat Launch, the start of your RiverWatch Eco Float. Your trip will end downriver at Dawson Park, right where you left your vehicle!).
2.) WHAT TIME DO WE MEET THE SHUTTLE?
· Shuttle Meeting Time: 9 AM: (Note: Please meet your shuttle 1 hr before your designated 10 am float time. This provides enough travel time to Laurier Park, your start location, and raft prep/safety talks.)
·3.) HOW MUCH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS INVOLVED?
· The North Saskatchewan River offers a delightful and serene floating experience as it falls under the class 1 category. However, informing your guests to be prepared for some paddling is important. Although the river guide steers the raft, the passengers provide essential power! Rest assured; previous experience is not required, as instructions are provided.
· Kindly note - moderate lifting is involved. At the start and conclusion of the float, the entire raft group will participate in some light lifting to bring the raft to and from the river's edge. It's a team effort that makes the experience even more fulfilling!
4.) WHO ARE OUR RIVERWATCH GUIDES?
· All our river guides complete an intense week of training involving rafting, emergency response, health and safety, bus driving, equipment maintenance, water quality monitoring, and local/natural history interpretation. The result is an experienced group of certified and professional river guides ready to provide a safe, engaging and fully immersive rafting experience. Your RiverWatch raft guide will help participants gain new insights and appreciation for our rivers' history, culture, bio-diversity and stewardship. Everyone will finish the day more connected to nature and our North Saskatchewan River.
5.) WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING?
· It's summer in Edmonton, and anything can happen. Please dress for the weather and bring warm or cool clothes, a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
· This trip includes time for lunch on the raft or a stop on shore, so please bring a packed lunch.
· We provide rubber boots for footwear, but if you would be more comfortable, you can bring your closed-toed shoes that can get wet!.
· RiverWatch provides all other safety equipment, such as first aid kits, PFDs and rain jackets.
6.) DO YOU FLOAT IN THE RAIN?
· Yes, we float and SING in the rain!! Don’t worry, RiverWatch provides raingear on each raft.
· Trips may be modified or shortened in the event of light rain, cold or wind but are usually not cancelled.
· Forecasts can change or be inaccurate, and in the event of an unlikely cancellation due to lightning or high-water events, you will be notified as soon as possible.
7.) WHAT IS RIVERWATCH?
· The RiverWatch Institute of Alberta is a registered charity founded in 1995. We deliver award-winning guided river experiences, environmental awareness, citizen science programs and science education programs for students and the public on and along Alberta’s rivers and creeks.
