Raisin River conditions test organizers of annual canoe race

With recent dry weather, river conditions on the Raisin may become an issue as organizers of the annual canoe race plan for the April 19 event which is scheduled to begin in St. Andrew's West and wind along the river through Martintown to Williamstown.

While the flow rate at last year's race was over 1200 cubic feet per second, the measurement on Tuesday was 230.  According to the Raisin Region Conservation Authority, rates can increase dramatically a couple of days after a steady rainfall, though no precipitation is forecast for the area until Sunday.

As happened three years ago, organizers can shorten the race when water levels are low.  However, doing so would create another issue, since the normal starting point in this situation is at the bridge across the river on Delaney Road.  That bridge is undergoing repairs and is closed to traffic, meaning canoes would have to be dropped off from the north side with no parking available, while cars would also need to turn around on the narrow country road.

The ideal solution would be some rain, though.  Stay tuned!