Celebrate an Anniversary with a Canoe Ride

Is there a more perfect way to celebrate 50 years of waterway management in Minnesota than to take a canoe or kayak ride?

The Cannon River Watershed Partnership is helping residents do just that this weekend.

Northfield-based CRWP is hosting three excursions on local rivers on June 22-23. Partnership volunteers will help paddlers in and out of the water, manage shuttling and perform safety reviews at each site.

The trips are in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota State Water Trails System, the first and largest water trail system in the country.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, the system consists of more than 4,500 miles of  mapped recreational routes on waterways for canoeing, kayaking, boating and camping, and more than 1,400 public water accesses, campsites, portages and rest areas.

“Today, there is a Minnesota State Water Trail within about an hour of anywhere in Minnesota,” says the website.

Click here to read a history of the system.

The Cannon and Straight rivers are included in the state water trail system. They also are within the 950,000-acre Cannon River watershed.

Helping residents become acquainted with local waterways is essential to CRWP’s mission of protecting and cleaning up the local watershed, said Executive Director Beth Kallestad.

“The more we get people out on the water, the more they gain a sense of stewardship,” she said. “Then, they take ownership.”

There is no cost to take part in any of this weekend's local paddles, except if you need to rent a boat. Arrangements have been made with local outfitters to offer rentals and shuttle service.

Preregistration is required by the end of the day on Thursday, June 20. Register by contacting Alana at (507) 786-3916 or alana@crwp.net.

No one under the age of 18 without adult supervision. Life jackets or personal flotation devices are required. Paddling lessons are not part of this event.

Here is the glance at this weekend’s trips from the CRWP website:

Route 1: Cannon River Wilderness Area to Northfield, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22

• Launch from the Cannon River Wilderness Area Park—3471 151St. E., just off Highway 3 north of Faribault—at 10 a.m. Expected arrival at Riverside Park  in Northfield at 2 p.m.

• Bring a lunch, water, sunscreen and bug spray.

• Canoe/kayak rentals will be available through The Gear ReSource Outfitters of Northfield.  Kayaks are $30, canoes $40 and shuttle service is $10 per boat.  Boats should be reserved through its website or at the store.  Be sure to mention you are part of this group.

• If you need to rent a boat meet at The Gear ReSource, 200 Division St. N., Northfield at 9 AM.

Route 2: Cannon Falls to Welch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22

• Launch from Riverside Park in Cannon Falls at 10 a.m. with expected arrival back in Welch at 2 p.m.

• Bring a lunch, water, sunscreen and bug spray.

• Canoe/kayak rentals will be available along with shuttle service from Welch Mill Canoeing & Tubing for $40 per canoe, $30 per solo kayak and $40 per tandem. If you just need shuttle service for your own boat, it is $15 per boat.  To rent a boat or reserve shuttle space, contact Ross or Jane Nelson at (651) 388-9857 and be sure to mention you are part of this group.

• If you need to rent a boat or need shuttle service meet at Welch Mill, 26389 County 7 Blvd., Welch, at 9 a.m. to be transported to the launch site.

Route 3: Straight River, Clinton Falls to Medford, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 23

• Meet at DNR portage site, river mile 21.7, just outside Clinton Falls on County Road 45 at 1 p.m., with expected arrival at North Park in Medford by 3 p.m.  Bring a snack, water, sunscreen and bug spray. There is no boat rental available for this site.