In mountain national parks in Alberta, numerous lakes and rivers are being closed to watercraft due to the threat of aquatic invasive species (AIS), leading some paddlers to advocate for a more cooperative approach in addressing the issue.
Starting this spring, water bodies in Jasper National Park and other parks like Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Waterton Lakes will be divided into three zones, each with distinct regulations for water activities. While certain popular areas will remain accessible to paddlers, the restrictions primarily impact backcountry locations.
Andrew Loughlin, a seasoned whitewater enthusiast based in Jasper for over two decades, expressed disappointment over the new rules, describing them as disheartening in a letter he sent to Parks Canada. He highlighted that many cherished spots in the park were only reachable by boat and are now inaccessible, estimating that over 75% of navigable waterways in Jasper are now restricted.
The decision to impose these restrictions follows the recent confirmation of whirling disease in Lake Louise, a situation attributed by Parks Canada to likely human-induced activities on the lake. This disease, also found in Banff and Yoho, causes deformities in young fish species like salmon, whitefish, and trout, with the potential to decimate up to 90% of juvenile fish populations.
Dave Argument, a resource conservation manager with Parks Canada, emphasized the urgency of taking action to prevent the further spread of whirling disease, noting that once invasive species and diseases are introduced, they are challenging to eradicate and can propagate downstream.
While the primary stem of the Athabasca River remains open for recreational use, the more challenging backcountry routes with Class 4 and Class 5 rapids are predominantly off-limits to watercraft, fishing waders, and windsports. Certain rivers will still be accessible to paddlers due to natural barriers like waterfalls hindering the upstream movement of AIS.
Parks Canada encourages scuba diving in designated areas but limits it to licensed commercial operators in the water recreation zone. Specific rivers like the Athabasca, Chaba, and Sunwapta are categorized as a “special tactics zone,” where only fishing with waders is prohibited while other activities like swimming, snorkeling, and fishing without waders remain allowed in restricted zones.
Paddlers, including packrafting enthusiasts like Matthew Bruce, express concern over the impact of these restrictions on their activities, emphasizing the unique connection that activities like packrafting foster with nature. Bruce advocates for enhanced biosecurity measures and hopes to engage with Parks Canada in discussions about future bans, underscoring the importance of user groups in preserving the environment and preventing the spread of AIS.
