Do not canoe in bad weather or high water.Always sit on the seats or in the center of the canoe – sitting on the side of a canoe will cause it to tip over.Be aware of the currents in the water – you don’t want to end up floating farther downstream than you planned.Look out for hazards such as low branches, fallen trees, rocks and debris.Try to keep your canoe at right angles to big waves.Keep an eye out for other boat traffic and keep appropriate distance.Keep your shoes on to avoid slipping or stepping on sharp objects near shore. Once you are paddling wearing a PFD is an absolute must, particularly considering how unstable a canoe is and the risk of drowning and hypothermia. Avoid sudden movements or rocking from side to side. It is important to keep your load balanced. The slightest shift of weight can make a canoe tip. Walk to your seat along the center of the boat. As you step in, bend your knees and grab the sides of the canoe for balance. To get into your canoe, have someone hold it steady. To avoid having a canoe tipping turn into a disaster tie all equipment to your canoe – put your equipment into a waterproof bag to keep it dry and tie it to one of the center beams in the canoe so that you don’t lose everything. Map – be sure you know where you are so you do not get lost!Įven if you are experienced and careful, it is still possible that you may tip.Sun protection – hats, sunscreen, long sleeves and pants.A personal flotation device (life vest), with a whistle attached, for each passenger.A light if you will be out in low-light conditions.A dry change of clothes in cooler weather.A whistle or air horn to signal distress.At least two paddles, plus an extra in case you drop or break one.It is also a good idea to let a family member or a friend know about your trip and when you plan to return home.īefore you even step into your canoe, make sure it is in good condition and that you take along the following items: When you are paddling a section of a river for the first time you should find out about currents, obstructions like dams or weirs and other information that could effect your safety. It is recommended that you canoe with a minimum of two boats. And don’t go out alone - there’s safety in numbers. Try to avoid high water (it makes a river run faster), high winds and storms. Choose a lake or river that is appropriate for your skill level. You can minimize your risk of danger by being smart about where and when you canoe. As easy as it may seem to leisurely paddle a canoe, a journey can quickly become dangerous if appropriate safety guidelines are overlooked. But don’t let a canoe’s simplicity fool you. These boats have remained virtually unchanged in design for thousands of years. The canoe is one of the oldest means of water travel. The new portage path makes this portage doable for all levels of paddlers. River Mile 15 The WaterOne Dam just east of I-435 – You must portage on the left bank of the river.For novice paddlers portage via vehicle from Riverfront Park is recommended at all times. Hopefully a portage path will be available after construction of the new power plant is complete. Bowersock Mills and Power Company is currently building a new power plan on the north side of the river and portage around the dam is not possible. River Mile 51 Bowersock Dam in Lawrence – You must take out of the river at Riverfront Park about one mile upstream from the dam and portage via vehicle to the 8th Street Access ramp about 2 miles to the southeast in north Lawrence below the dam.In high water you will float over the dam but in lower water you need to go over the dam on river left or in the middle of the river near a gravel bar. River Mile 75 Low head dam next to the Tecumseh Power Plant is1.5 miles down river of the Seward Avenue Access in east Topeka.At each location, boaters should pass under the bridges on the right (south) bank for the best chance to avoid the dropped bridge. At low water you will see railroad ties sticking our of the water. River Mile 85.3 and River Mile 84.5 There are railroad bridges at these locations and each location has an old railroad bridge dropped into the river near the existing railroad bridge.An effort to make this area more recreationally friendly is in progress – see Fix the Topeka Dam. Paddling through the low water notch is extremely dangerous and several deaths have occurred at this location. There is a concrete portage trail running along the river between the two ramps. One is above the dam, the other is just below the dam. There are two access ramps on the left (north) bank. River Mile 87 The Topeka Water Department Dam (pictured above) – You must portage on the left bank of the river.
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