Kayak/Canoe enthusiasts in Canada out there?

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Permalink Reply by Al Bowman on February 3, 2009 at 2:20pm

I kayak on an unusual body of water.A salty lake,saltier than the Dead Sea in the middle of the Canadian Prairies.The mineral content of the water slows the development of ice.Long after fresh water lakes and streams have frozen over I still have open water.If any of you know the climate of Saskatchewan you will be surprised to know I was out kayaking on the lake on Nov 15 last year.

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Permalink Reply by GuyThaLizard on February 3, 2009 at 2:47pm

Hey too cool, Al!

Where about's are you in the Prairies are you, I used to live in Creighton Saskatchewan untill I was 6 then we moved to Penticton B.C.?

There is one of those salt water lakes here too. Don't know if our's is that salty but nothing much lives in it.

The below is from my KAYAK Okanagan website.

Guy

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For the direct link to the posting below CLICK HERE.
Location: N49 17.358 W119 34.912

Went to Mahoney Lake for a paddle (Robin and his friend Jim and myself). Interesting place. Deep mud shore and warm water. The natural bacteria in the lake causes it to have no life in the salt water lake says is a sign that was there. Smelt a bit like a sewer and a compost pile. Water tasted like saltwater, not that I drank it but while paddling getting the odd splash in the face/mouth. Sign said the water at the bottom of the lake stays at +15c all year around.



The salt water made you very buoyant, Robin in the distance.

Robin even tried the "mudbath" thing, as you can see Robin was sinking up to his knees in the mud, walking in the lake was next to impossible like quicksand.


Jim paddling Robin's kayak.


WARNING! Things not posed at the lake, at-least not anywhere obvious.
("...As it is an ecological reserve, camping and recreational activity is not permitted within the reserve boundaries...")



"Mahoney Lake

Mahoney Lake is unique in British Columbia and rare in the world. It is classified as a meromictic lake, meaning a lake with only partial circulation. The lake has a thin but highly concentrated layer of purple sulphur bacteria, called a sulphur bacterial plate, at a depth of about seven meters. As the lake has only partial circulation, the layer remains intact year after year. The water is also very saline, and will leave white salt deposits on skin, clothing and equipment after drying.
Mahoney Lake has been studied for over 20 years by aquatic ecologists from across Canada and as far away as New Zealand, Peru and Ireland. The lake is home to rare invertebrate animals, such as rotifers and a cocopods.

Mahoney Lake was designated an ecological reserve in 1990 to protect it from further degradation from public use. As it is an ecological reserve, camping and recreational activity is not permitted within the reserve boundaries.

Green Lake Trip MapMahoney Lake is located on Green Lake Road between the communities of Willowbrook and Okanagan Falls, in the hills to the west of the South Okanagan Valley."

http://www.oliverchamber.bc.ca/to_do/naturalist/mahoney_lake/mahone...

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Permalink Reply by Al Bowman on February 3, 2009 at 2:29pm

A pic on Nov 15 2008

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Permalink Reply by GuyThaLizard on February 3, 2009 at 2:49pm

Hi Al
was looking at your picture and .. is that snow in the photo or salt? Hey I like your kayak I have a Pelican too but my Pelican is a SOT (Sit-On-Top) I also have a Tandem SIK (Sit-In-Kayak) perfect for kayak camping.

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Permalink Reply by Al Bowman on February 3, 2009 at 3:16pm

Hello G nice to hear from a fellow kayaker.I live at Manitou Beach its about an hour southeast of Saskatoon.The white stuff is actually foam.When it has been really windy we get it along the shore.Thats a very interesting article you sent on your salty lake.I work with a fellow from BC and will ask him about how the two lakes compare.The only aquatic life we have are brine shrimp.I love my kayak.I have spent as much time on water as possible and now can go out when ever I want.I have 4 short videos on youtube that kind of shows what its like out on the lake.http://ca.youtube.com/19580712 is the address if you're interested.Anyway nice to hear from you and take care.Al

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Permalink Reply by GuyThaLizard on February 3, 2009 at 3:29pm

Wow, great video clips. My favorite is the "Manitou Beach-Kayaks&Coyotes" and the water is so calm I also like this one "Kayaking at Manitou Beach Saskatchewan".

Hey If you ever come up to the South Okanagan Valley let me know we could paddle out to Rattlesnake Island.

Guy

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Permalink Reply by Al Bowman on February 3, 2009 at 6:28pm

Hmmm Rattlesnake Island...not named for its abundance of bunny rabbits I'm guessing.A very kind offer none the less.I shall certainly take you up on it.Only if you agree to come paddling with me to Cougar Coolie the next time your in my neck of the woods. Al

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Permalink Reply by Al Bowman on February 3, 2009 at 6:29pm

Oh and thanks for the kind words about my vids.

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Permalink Reply by GuyThaLizard on February 3, 2009 at 9:44pm

It's a deal, Sounds like a blast! =)

Hear read this I posted here.

http://go.kayaking.com/group/flatwater/forum/topics/rattlesnake-isl...

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