If a paddling expedition down the Churchill River is on your bucket list you may get a lot more than you have bargained for.
Get ready to
enter a vast ecosystem; one that will challenge your thinking as it refreshes your spirit.
The river is still known as Mishtashipu by Innu, and not surprisingly, Grand River by NunatuKavut, Nunatsiavut, and the settlers of Labrador. The nomenclature was given Sir Charles Hamilton for a time until Smallwood changed it to Churchill; a sop to Sir Winston.The award was inappropriate for a god let alone a single man.
rises to mountains of trees and sky. The river, in relentless pursuit of ocean is, seemingly, given rest only at Lake Winokapau, 40 km. long and up to 760 feet
deep.
The body of water is large enough to bring 80 km. of currentto a stand-still. Little wonder the river valley eludes any definition, except vastness, or resists any quick appraisal of its own magnificence.
river, it is often hard to look away especially when the artistry is punctuated
by a sun cast light, amidst a seamless palette of reflection.
The Churchill won’t just let you just admire its tapestry, even when the sky displays an artist’s touch on a fabric of grey blue and silver.
Geologists say
the area of Churchill Falls to Lake Melville is very old, its formation Precambrian. The river valley is thought to have once been filled with fine sediments; the current structure carved by de-glaciation and
down cutting, during the last ice-age. One geologist describes the valley as masked
by a “thick blanket of marine and fluvial sediment” (Liverman); he must be referring
to sand, the endless sand.
Other
sediments are found there, too, including glacial marine clays, like “Quick
Clay” described as “sensitive”. It is special in its class because it contains an ability to “liquefy” and to cause
landslides; confirming that in nature, as in fairy tales, beauty and the beast are often inseparable.
disappeared, the oceans flooded the area, at an elevation just above Gull
rapids. With melting, the ocean floor rebounded, but not without retaining this glacial legacy.
kilometer quick clay induced landslide at Edward’s Island, just below Gull, and others above and
just below Muskrat, some very recent, give proof to the Swedish geoscientist,
Dr. Stig Bernander’s contention the Churchill River valley is “alive”.
scientist unmistakably infers is evident amidst the carnage at Edward’s Island. Within the enormous cavity, a few lifeless spruce trees stand
vigil; their root systems ripped apart as the 2010 sand and clay filled avalanche slid into the
river. Though they seem like sentries, warning of an excess of hubris, they must be unaware their caution has been ignored
at the North Spur.
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| Like sentries warning of excess hubris at Edward’s Island |
Greek mythology
frequently pairs arrogance with Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance.
Perhaps,
Innu culture is more forgiving of modern follies; but with Spirit Mountain overlooking Muskrat Falls, I wouldn’t be so sure.
Environmental Impact Statement on the Lower Churchill describes the valley as
lying “within the boreal ecoclimatic region where microclimatic conditions in
the valley allow boreal species to dominate over sub-arctic species…” I think the Panel was reminding us a good many species have acclimatized to the cold Labrador environment, and even thrived. The Panel catalogued a boreal world of vegetation and wildlife, and provided warnings, too, of the fragility of an environment where ruggedness is all too easily, and mistakenly, interpreted as indestructible.
species include bald eagles, osprey, ducks, Canada Geese and the Common Loon.
Then there are the otter, black bear, moose, caribou, porcupine, fox and mink.
Their
rare appearance confirms an attachment to the land that is as delicate as the razor
thin layer of detritus underlying the carpet of black spruce, which the short
summer seasons won’t let grow.
brown trout are eyed greedily, including by hungry paddlers.
Like the valley,the river is not just a large but a complex ecosystem, too. Whitefish Falls, The
Metchin, Cashe, Elizabeth, Fig, and Pinus Rivers, some fast, others gentle,
all join in the Churchill’s inexorable flow.
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| Lining the boats at Gull rapids |
Currents, whirlpools,
standing waves, boils, eddies, rapids at Minipi and Gull, and, of course, the
drop at Muskrat, serve mostly to speed passage, but, at times, to obstruct.
Frequently, the decline in elevation is quite perceptible as the water speeds up: river right, then river left. Boats that should be moving quicker, don’t. One up for gravity!
Each valley bend introduces something new; sometimes an eagle’s nest or an auditory dispatch from a pair of Loons. Islands always inspire and many have familiar names, like Fox, Wolf, and Glacier, and others less familiar, like Swallow Cliff.
Attempts at description are always incomplete. The Churchill is much like a nature film in which the videographer has over-worked his lens. Captured is an over-sensory easel of elemental magic; the perfect blending of water, earth, and sky.
By just the second day of paddling, you know it will exact an assessment of the value system that guides you; the same one that allows passive approval of the river’s very destruction.
values, but their own.
Nalcor will argue otherwise, whether in terms of definition, appearance, or
natural utility, reservoir is not nearly the same as river!
Notsurprisingly, two of our number, disciples of the Grand River Keepers, a lobby
group, spoke with more than just knowledge of the Churchill. They exhibited a
deep emotional attachment, too.
position is one some think uncompromising.
But, on the river, it is far easier to understand, possibly
because empathy has been aroused. Without even knowing, long held misconceptions
are arrested; the River has simultaneously captured and captivated you.
isn’t purely sentimental. Even the more development-minded, who maintain
ledgers, and profit and loss statements, might be forced to ask: was a valuation
performed, (one distinct from an EIS to which the proponent has paid lip-service), comparing the Churchill River with, say, Gros Morne?
The question
may be jolting; but it is better asked in advance of an execution, isn’t it?
Hence:
would we, as a society, watch apathetically if Gros Morne was selected for
flooding; an internationally recognized natural treasure submerged under water?
the comparison unfair. Think again. Isn’t the only difference that one is
internationally prized; the other an unknown gem?
hydro is awash with paid advocates, while the Churchill has none?
Brunswick, making major pristine rivers and lakes dam-ready at the Upper
Churchill. A 1000 ft. falls disappeared in a deal akin to a Faustian
bargain, except nothing was claimed by us, not even pride. By 2020 or so, the
area of the river, from Muskrat Falls to Gull Island, will be flooded to perform
a job for which other, more eco-friendly and cheaper options, are available.
Rightfully,
we should ask: what is left to salvage?
the Upper Churchill represents 232 km. of something extraordinary, even if evidence of
the yellow surveyor’s tape, cut overs, and a rough road to the TLH for
machinery, offer a clue to its intended fate.
shoe symmetry of Gull, in concert with an almost continuous drop in elevation, except
at Lake Winokapau, makes it the perfect place for a concrete dam measuring 99 meters
high. A river system that, now, represents a visual symphony with earth and sky will become a reservoir, as the entire distance from Gull to the spillway at the
Upper Churchill is flooded.
remarkable natural features constitute the river’s inherent demise; their measurements
fodder for computer programs and calculations of ‘hydro static head’, in
megawatts. All those things are in the surveyor’s crosshairs. Dam and dammed have
found perfect confluence.
Joe Goudie’s
grandfather, a Grand River Trapper, kept his trap lines here. He would have headed
upstream each Fall, the “hard” way; punching against the current in a canoe. Having slogged past the North Spur, he might have prayed the fast water is behind him, and the foxes plentiful, too.
renewable differently than any equation that calculates carbon substitution and neglects any offset for methylmercury.
grandson, had a keen eye, too, choosing this place for his own river lodging; holding
on, as long as he could, to the view of Gull the older one claimed.
To what will
we make claim; the ones who only hear “hydro” when “Churchill” is called?
is finished, though it may break us first, will we merely lament the loss of the
temporary jobs, or remember the corruption of governance that facilitated raiding
the public coffers?
Will we bemindful of the price tag only because it gives us offense, while we forget the
burden placed on future generations?
faith in misguided public officials, feel betrayed by our weak institutions, or
have we become inured to the failure of others?
the others.
us.
of river, from Gull rapids to Churchill Falls, is the only one having some
prospect of remaining virgin, even if it still lacks respect.
natural wonder; the river valley; its forested hills, dunes, and sand
plains, the wildlife, the architecture.
superior, beautiful, and majestic;
river valley’s best hope may be found among the same bankers who, this time,
will be wary that flooding Muskrat has placed the entire province metaphorically,
at least, under water.
if Gull is worth saving?
boat. paddle the Churchill. See for yourself.
The worst thing that can happen is that you will enjoy the company of fellow paddlers, camp-fires, food, stories, and the derisive laughter that accompanies the absence of a half bottle of vapors, ostensibly lost. Where else does a single malt receive a eulogy fit for an Irish wake, its discovery strangely mourned, too, probably because skeptical narratives have to be renounced?
Ah! humanity.
Great people and great rivers.
Each in motion, ever changing; never a doubt who is enriched.
It sure seems someone got both captured and captivated doesn’t it..
So, consider
yourself warned.
If you go down the Churchill River, you might get captured you, too!
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Editor’s Note:
Many thanks are due fellow paddlers, especially the trip coordinator. I was very fortunate to have joined such a talented and experienced group.
Several of the photos, shown in this Piece, were taken by other paddlers with an eye for the lens. I wish to thank them for sharing their photo journals of this remarkable river.
It is very difficult to convey an accurate sense of the Churchill River’s size, complexity, or its majesty. Any number of photos cannot equate with the on-the-water experience of drinking in its beauty and immensity, but I have selected a number of additional images (shown below) to give readers a greater sense of all that it offers, and, hopefully, to inspire in others the urgency to make the journey themselves. Bear in mind that if Gull ever gets developed as a hydro facility, much of what these photos convey will be under water.
The adage “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til its gone” may well find resonance here.
Heading towards Gull Rapids
A sun cast light, amidst a seamless palette of reflection.
On the River. The hard part is choosing which pictures to exhibit.
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| Service road just, below Gull Island, connects with the TLH |
Edward’s Island
I was familiar with the Edward’s Island “Quick Clay” induced landslide, having seen aerial photos taken during Dr. Stig Bernander’s Field Trip to the area, last Fall. The aerial shots seem to have diminished the scale of the slide; so I wasn’t quite ready for just how large a 1 sq. km. excavation actually looks. A wide-angle lens would surely have come in handy.
When one considers the magnitude of the energy unleashed by this landslide, exhibited by its sheer scale, we forced, by peering through a different lens than the one painted by Nalcor’s enginner’s, to question whether the “fix” being undertaken at the North Spur is much more than the equivalent of a “band-aid” on a rather deep and large sore. I took a good many photos of the Edward’s Island slide. The thought occurs I might consider posting a photo story of this feature, alone, and what occurred to create this huge and quite remarkable “scar”.
Noteworthy, is the fact that Edward’s Island was one of the smaller slides that have occurred on this section of the river. As noted in the story, “Quick Clay” infects the North Spur and is common in the valley to an elevation reaching just above Gull rapids.
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| This is “Quick Clay”. My feet play with its smooth, plastic surface until the clay breaks down. |
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| Nalcor’s “stabilization” plan seems puny when seen in the context of the huge landslide at Edward’s Island |
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| Wood stacked and rotting – No Sale |
“Toe” of the Spur
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| Note: Innu Spirit Mountain top right |
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| Below Muskrat Falls |
I bet the only regret you really have for embarking on this journey is that you never did it until now. There would be a greater appreciation for a clean environment and the real value of our lands and waters if more people could paddle down this incredible river. Unfortunately, more people are merely interested in profit so nothing can save what little habitat we have left.
Sad that the Mainstream NL Media is either too lazy or uninterested to do any stories half as informative and interesting as this. Much easier and cheaper to cover Perp Walks I guess.
If I was a judge for the best blog post of the year, I would vote for this one, hands down.
Best blog post and most heartbreaking sadly!
As one who intervened at the JRP and took part in a moving drum ceremony on Spirit Mountain, I grieve. I raised concerns about the quick clay and watched federal scientist give chilling testimony on the instability of the spur and the rest of the valley.
I witnessed a lawyer from Justice ride shotgun over government intervenors and one provincial employee on leave admitted on the record that his testimony was at the cost of his employment. He declined to testify.
I watched as Nalcor refused to produce the financial costs to the Panel, who were entrusted to protect the public interest. The Panel, pressured to finish by the federal Cons, concluded they could not verify the only justification for MF, the "least cost option".
When transparency and accountability are absent we do not have democratic but rather demagogic decision-making. The harm MF will do, ecologically and economically is tragic. What it says about the state of our democracy, now better called an unaccountable kleptocracy, is even worse!