Sunday, August 1, 2010

The River of the Future

Recreational paddling is gaining popularity on the Missouri River as witnessed by races like the MR340, the Race for the River and this year's addition, the Race to the Dome. Each of these races generates more weekend paddlers as entrants spend extra time on the water in preparation for the chosen events. There are those out there who are opposed to recreational paddling on the river at all but that's another story. Even in a high water year like this the numbers are growing and I would wager given a dry year with a tamer current, more managable ramps and exposed sand bars the numbers will explode.
So here is my question. What ideas are floating around out there to make the river experience a more paddler freindly environment?
Many of the river towns have great parks and decent facilities right on the river bank, but some notable exceptions still exist . Boat ramps are available all across the state but many are a real handful to use. Some of them enter the current at a right angle and landing a lightweight craft broadside to the current can be a real trick. Even trying to pull a powerboat back on its trailer can cause serious damage to expensive equipment. And yes, you can make the point that inexperience is a contributing factor, but the fact remains that better designed facilities would enhance both the enjoyment and the safety of the boaters experience.
As recreational use rises the numbers of inexperienced users will rise also. And to be blunt these novices pay the same taxes and deserve the same consideration and access as those of us who have used the river for years and gotten used to its whims.
Camping is excellent at some access sites but quite primitive at others and though I applaud the efforts of both the DNR and the Dept. of Conservation I do think some upgrades are in order.
I understand that in todays economic climate the hands of these agencies are somewhat tied. But I also realize that even in good times one must begin asking the government for help years before it arrives. So if we begin talking and planning now, maybe we can see results as soon as the economic pressures ease.
So since what I am proposing is at present only a wish list here goes.
I would like to see few actual harbors constructed for private boaters. Say one every eighty miles or so all across the state. The Corps of Engineers has the expertise and the ability to do this and I doubt it would cost as much as one first thinks. As an example, the Noren ramp at Jefferson City is a nice but under utilized place. It is located on the inside of a bend and therefore somewhat sheltered from the worst of the rivers exesses (i.e. raging currents at flood stage, ice, etc.) Simply raising the dike upstream from this ramp and extending it back overland to the levee and straight downstream to offer protection from the worst of the current would creat a useable, sheltered harbor where a dock could be constructed. With the prefab boat docks available today one could be installed in the spring and removed before the ice comes down every winter.
Sure this may sound extravagant but it would increase the use of the river and generate more tax dollars. It would put more people on the water and raise that bar of awareness that is required to help improve the health of the waterway.
A harbor facility like this at intervals up and down the river would give paddlers a day to leave one and arrive at another or make for an easy afternoon run between ports for a powerboat and offer something other than a boulder covered bank to tie up to. Any areas that really take off could eventually be developed into full fledged marinas.
So give it some thought and post your ideas, and remember, this is only a wish list right now so no idea is too big or too small for inclusion. And nearly all ideas that would help the paddling public would also complement the needs of the power boaters among us.
Help me show what the river experience could look like in the future.

Thanks, Walt

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