International Scale of River Difficulty as defined by: American Whitewater Based on the most difficult part of a stretch of river

Calm, flowing water. River has few obstructions which are all obvious and easily to avoid. The risk to swimmers is slight.

More rocks and obstacles that are harder to see. Up and down feeling when going over waves Eddy line sharp enough for flip Exciting but not threatening Example; Rum River

Fast Rapids Easy for the expert, Too much for beginner. Life Threatening. Waves that make boater completely wet when crashed through Decisions must be made on route planning Paddler needs good eddy turn - good downstream brace fair roll

Advanced paddlers only Steeper gradient bigger drops Not healthy place for a swimmer - Expect no help from friends!! Must scout before going down it.

* Dangerous. * Experts only * Horrendous holes and Keepers Bombproof roll required along with experience and self confidence Most kayakers have never been in class 5 and don’t intend to be.

Some define as impossible Others say it represents the limit of possible

River Right and Left: Bank reference when facing downstream. River current faster in middle (or outside shore)- slowest inside shore. Oxbows: Outside shore erodes. Sediments deposit on slower inside.

Help slow down the river. River will eventually take the shortest path. Creates Oxbow Lakes. (Half Moon Lakes)

Tongue Swiftest deepest current ( V shaped ) Safe Travel Pillow - Water piles up against front side of a rock  Pillow Tongue

Eddies. An Eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle.

Eddy Line: & Eddy Turn:

- Fast water meets slow water and piles up.

Giant standing waves. Resemble moguls. Unobstructed channel

Heavy Recirculation holes formed by a broad ledge. AKA: “Keepers”

An underwater dam constructed to help maintain water level. (Dangerous: Creates a Hole!!!

Fallen trees that allow river current to sweep through but pins boat and boater against obstacle. Overwhelming water pressure. AVOID STRAINERS!!!

Watershed: An area of land where all of the water ends up in the same location.

Ground water is part of the water shed. Water seeps into the ground and slowly moves through the watershed.

Chemicals on land can pollute ground water and eventually lakes and streams.

The source of the pollution starts at one location. (A Point!!)

Organic matter, like sewage, is broken down by bacteria reducing dissolved Oxygen

The source of the pollution is wide spread. Agriculture # 1

Phosphorus increase algae bloom, bacterial activity -> lower O2.

Agricultural chemical flow to Mississippi!!!

DEAD ZONE: No Oxygen due to Non Point Source pollution!!

Dissolved pollutants. Conductivity Test.

Channelization: Easier and faster to navigate.

Levees. Keeps the river inside its banks

Drain Wetland to produce more crops

Grand Forks “100 flood” happens every 4 – 8 years. Hmmm??

Don’t build on Floodplains, Restore wetlands that have been drained. Reconstruct Oxbows that were straighten. Instead of spending Billions of dollars trying to conquer nature, spend a few million to restore it.