Friends of High Falls - Grassy River Dam Project

2011-09-12T16:52:00.003-04:00

The Snowy River - great short video on how damaging dam can be

Kayaking over Upper High Falls - Yea!!!

2011-06-04T07:29:00.002-04:00

Couple of guys from Timmins braving the rapids/falls at Upper High Falls

The first guy(Andrew) rode the rapids all the way to the bottom sucessfuly while the second guy(Dan) busted his paddle in half and swam the rest of the rapids to the bottom and was quite battered from the ordeal - this was their first and last attempt at the falls. Flows as you can see were quite high

Please do not attempt this at home boys and girls - these guys are highly trained professionals :-)

Music courtesy of a local band many years ago, called Belly Up

Low Water of 2010

2011-06-04T07:24:00.000-04:00

High Falls last June 2010 - very little water

This is what 0 cms flow over the falls looks like and was typical of last year

Photo Courtesy of Andre Labine and Judylynne Lytle

Photo from last Fall

2011-04-18T19:21:00.002-04:00

It's been a while but hopefully i can start posting much more frequently
If you have some photos you'd like posted on the blog please feel free to email
GrassyRiver@gmail.com
Regards
Markus

“International Day of Action for Rivers – 14 March 2011

2011-03-14T00:01:00.010-04:00

"International Day of Action for Rivers – 14 March 2011

The Ontario Rivers Alliance would like to recognize the International Day of Action for Rivers around the World. The development of so called "Green Energy" waterpower projects are having numerous negative impacts on Communities and River Ecosystems around the globe!

To most, Green Energy means "environmentally friendly", but Environment Canada and MNR studies indicate that dams which hold water flow back to generate power for peak demand results in decreased water quantity and flow, and impacts on water quality both upstream and downstream of the dams. This results in a rise in water temperature, sediment retention and turbidity, higher nitrogen and phosphorus levels from nutrient loading, increase in methyl mercury, low dissolved oxygen levels, which results in harm to aquatic life, and degradation of habitat. These dams also impede fish passage, and further endanger species at risk, and the entire biota of the river system.

Waterpower projects are only one in a long list of challenges facing our River Systems today. Whether it be waste water treatment facilities spilling effluent into our watersheds, over-development of shorelines, invasive species, algae, cyanobacteria or climate change, these River systems are facing increased pressure from development. It is important for each of us to have an awareness, and to make a contribution towards protecting and preserving Rivers around the world. We have a responsibility to our Children to leave a legacy of clean and healthy rivers and ecosystems!

Take action today – write a letter of concern to the editor of your local newspaper, or to your Member of Parliament.

Our children are depending on us!"

Ontario Rivers Alliance -- PRESS RELEASE

2011-02-24T17:05:00.004-05:00

Two Members of Friends of High Falls / Friends of the Grassy River attended this meeting in NorthBay last weekend to show our support for the Ontario Rivers Alliance - it was a great meeting and has great potential in the fight

MEDIA RELEASE

Feb. 24, 2011

Alliance concerned about river power proposals

SUDBURY, Ont. -- Environmentalists, recreational users and tourism operators have formed a coalition to protect the health of Ontario river systems.

"We are hearing concerns from across Ontario that the provincial government's Green Energy Act could actually damage our ecosystems," says Linda Heron, interim chairperson for the Ontario Rivers Alliance. "Like most people in this province, our members thought green energy would involve projects that would produce power without causing environmental harm. But our research indicates that the government needs help in assessing what damage might be caused to our watersheds by energy producers whose prime motivation seems to be profit."

Heron said that lack of shared information about the impacts of proposed hydro-electric dam projects was a common thread in concerns expressed by participants in the inaugural ORA meeting. Heron, a member of the Vermilion River Stewardship -- one of 13 river systems represented to date by alliance members – said the meeting attracted attendees from the Muskokas in the south to as far north as Timmins.

"We heard from marina owners, engineers, paddlers and First Nations citizens—all of whom came together in a common cause: to speak up for healthy rivers," she said. "We feel we can play a key role in raising public awareness about the importance of our most precious natural resource – our water."

The Ontario Rivers Alliance is expanding its network and canvassing prospective members in advance of a meeting scheduled for April 2^nd in North Bay.

CONTACT:

Linda Heron

Ontario Rivers Alliance

Tel: 705-866-1677

Email: LindaH@OntarioRiversAlliance.ca

Website: OntarioRiversAlliance.ca

Outing to High Falls Series Aug 30-2010

2010-09-19T07:57:00.000-04:00