This week in canoeing news: New paddling trails in Texas, Rapid Media at Canoecopia, Great Lakes hit their lowest levels ever and one man wins his right to paddle.
Great Lakes hit new low
Two of the Great Lakes have hit their lowest water levels ever recorded, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have said, capping more than a decade of below-normal rain and snowfall and higher temperatures that boost evaporation. Measurements taken last month show Lake Huron and Lake Michigan have reached their lowest ebb since record keeping began in 1918, and the lakes could set additional records over the next few months, the corps said. The lakes were 29 inches (74 centimetres) below their long-term average and had declined 17 inches (43 centimetres) since January 2012. Via Toronto Star.
Paddler wins court case
A state Supreme Court judge has found that Adirondack Explorer magazine editor Phil Brown had the right to paddle on waterways that run through private property in northwest Hamilton County, and that the waters should be open to the public. Brown, a Saranac Lake resident, was in court because the Brandreth Park Association and Friends of Thayer Lake had sued him for trespassing after he paddled on waters surrounded by their lands. Via Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
Kids these days
When little Evie discovered she accidently brought home two sticks with her from Yosemite National Park she wrote a letter of apology to the park rangers for breaking the park rules and enclosed the sticks, requesting that the park rangers please, “put them back in nature.” Via Gawker.
10 new paddling trails in Texas
Earlier this month, as part of World Wetlands Day, Texas Parks and Wildlife launched 10 new paddling trails along Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake. Five of the 10 new loop trails leave from Backwater Jack’s R.V.Park, which is nestled along the Spanish moss-draped Big Cypress Bayou shore near Jefferson. The other five trails feature put-in locations onCaddoLakein and around Uncertain. The shortest trail (Benton Lake Loop on the Big Cypress) covers 2.4 miles round trip and meanders upstream from Backwater Jack’s. The longest paddle trail (Hell’s Half-Acre) covers 8.8 miles round trip and leaves from CaddoLake State Park. Via Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Rapid Media takes over Canoecopia
Come visit us at the Rapid Media booth at Canoecopia from March 8-11 in Madison, Wisconsin. Canoecopia is perfect antedote to March cabin fever and is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world, over 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, outdoor equipment and clothing. The Rapid Media team is driving down so if you have music recommedations please post them to the comments below—otherwise it’s Publisher Scott’s country and western faves!
