As stewards of Missouri’s water and soil, canoe fans can take care not to add pressure or problems to fragile waterways and environments they enjoy using. Following are tips about how to not inadvertently damage waterways during canoe trips.
Missouri’s waterways still face erosion challenges that began more than a century ago. In the 1930s, Americans realized how devastating soil erosion could be as the Dust Bowl swept across the nation, relocating an estimated 300 million tons of soil. According to Department of Natural Resources statistics, Missouri had the highest rate of erosion in the United States, which led to the creation of the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Districts in 1943. In 1982, Missouri was still losing soil at a rate of 10.8 tons per acre each year on cultivated cropland. Landowner voluntary efforts and structured cost-share conservation programs collectively have helped to slow erosion across the state since that time.
As outdoor adventurers, canoeists hopefully work in concert with somewhat unstable water channels, stream bank erosion, and sand and gravel deposits.
“It may be not be obvious to floaters how important it is to leave alone a raw bank that’s already eroding,” said Sherry Fischer, stream and watershed chief of the Missouri Department of Conservation in Jefferson City.
Fischer said following the rule of “leave no trace” is a good one to follow, especially when using gravel bars and the areas next to rivers, taking care not to make large holes or move sand around in significant manners — which could alter the overall water flow and increase the amount of erosion.
She also points out how important it is to not disturb vegetation along stream banks, because even exposed tree roots lend some stability to the sliding soil being held in place.
Joe Jerek, also with MDC, reminds canoeists to be sure to use designated input and output areas, so as not to trample unaltered stream bank areas and plants.
Some actions that canoeists can take to help save overall waterway environments, as recommended by MDC stream unit team members, are:
- Do not disturb timbered buffer strips along streams. While it may be tempting to want to use tree limbs to roast hotdogs during a canoe trip, avoid using ones from live trees. A strip of trees is necessary to filter sand and gravel and keep it from being dumped on bottomland fields. Streamside trees keep banks stable, and by slowing flood waters, cause sand and gravel carried by flood waters to drop out in this buffer strip rather than on bottomland fields.
- Avoid removing sand and gravel within 25 feet of streamside vegetation. Vegetation holds gravel and soil, keeping bars and banks in place.
- Steer clear of using vehicles and heavy equipment in the water. If you must cross streams, drive vehicles at right angles to stream flow.
- March 15 through June 15 reflects the period of spawning fish, so be especially mindful of what you’re doing to their sand and water habitat during this time.
- Keep fuel, oil and other wastes out of the stream. When finding consumer trash left on gravel bars, conservation officials ask canoeists to take it with them to dispose of later, if at all possible.
- Do not remove gravel from riffles (shoals) because they prevent erosion of the stream bed. Riffles are very important to stream stability, and are a major source of food and oxygen for aquatic life.
Fischer also reminds canoeists that glass containers and bottles are illegal to take onto Missouri’s waterways, per state statutes and laws. “Anything glass is illegal, even a jar of pickles. We‘re trying to maintain safety for the people using the streams, as well as the aquatic and wildlife there. Broken glass can have a major impact on many stream-related elements.”
Soil and disrupted particles sent into waterways also can cause water quality problems that continue downstream. Soil and contaminated water that enter drinking water supply systems each year can increase water treatment costs, which raises utility bills for Missouri households.
Addressing erosion challenges appears to be working in Missouri, however! Revenues from the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax, first approved by voters in 1984, have resulted in Missouri having the greatest soil erosion reduction rate of any other state.
Very good article. It is something we are also very aware of here in the UK and it can be a problem when hiring out canoes to beginners who really don’t know about these environmental concerns. We advise them that they must stay at least 2m away from the banks which usually gives even the lowest ability some wiggle room not to hit the banks.