Minden Whitewater Preserve
1020 Bethel Road K0M 2K0 Minden, ON, Canada

Site inspection on River Left.

Final Day - Site Inspection on Dec.22. Here is a brief backgrounder. More images/video to follow. 35s. - DG

Ramp still to be topped with stone and packed. Launch area being touched up in a few days.

Dam contractor, Eiffage, is in their last couple of days on site. Here’s an update from Thurs.Dec 17. 45 sec.

Just a reminder that Saturday is the end of season shutdown and that we always welcome volunteers.

Thanks to Dan and Tristan for working with us for 3 days. Also thanks to Hugh Beaton for driving up to supervise and trim some blocks to fit.

This is what I love about the Whitewater community. People come up to help. No expectation. Just like improving the place. MikeYee - thanks for the new LED light @ kiosk.

In final few blocks...here is top view.

Thank you to all the paddlers who worked around the film crew on Friday afternoon @ Gull River. Jonny Harris and Still Standing crew were so pleased with the cooperation and support. This was the kickoff to their 7th season of filming. That means their 6th season of broadcasting begins shortly. What a tremendous crew of Canadians!!... You will see this episode featuring Minden’s local stars and your fave Still Standing Waves in Fall 2021.

Transporting them to the retaining wall.

Eiffage gave 6 more blocks from another spot.

Just for interest - here is a short clip. Interesting to observe others utilize river spots we see as an everyday thing. Safety people were just out of frame below Canada Wall.

The MWP was transformed with a large professional crew of actors, stunt doubles, camera operators, sound, wardrobe, producers, plus safety. Apparently this filming thing was also a method used in 1980s to fund some construction of the Gull and Preserve. Anyone know those details ? Christmas in the Wild to air Dec.2021. ... #brainpowerstudio. #ChristmasInTheWilds. See more

The barge is out.

This is Tristan. He is 20 years old. One of the hardest working young men. Grew up on a farm outside Fenlon Falls. Go figure. In the cab is Danny from Niagara Falls. One of the senior excavator operators for this company. Very handy and had lots of good tips during the re-build of the RL training wall

About half way there. These big ones were pulled out of the pool

A wash down to help them fit. Reminds me of an old movie called Flashdance. But no guy going under this shower today !!

Big cuts to make the bottom row fit the top row. In between the cuts, the hiho operator is digging big rocks from the pool.

Today the fun continues....

It takes about 15min to transport and place each block. Then trimming down of the nibs to fit the top row. With only 4-7 hang ups today.

This is how we made out this afternoon. Before people comment on it, be advised it is in stages. The gray concrete blocks (bottom row) were donated by the contractor Eiffage. As a trade for some extra staging area WO allowed them to use over the last 18 months. The top row of deep red colour blocks are expected to fade to brown by summer. Fitting into the natural surroundings better.... After block placement, then boulders are being placed to transition from blocks to water’s edge for a natural look. The ramp down by the dam where excavator is running now in this video leads to water’s edge @ the pool - with a launching spot in the design.

Preparing the base of River Left for new concrete block wall. Lots of work to get to this point.

FYI Sunday Dec 6 + Monday Dec 7 (1 week from today) film crews will be arriving to film a river scene @ MWP. Production Crew from Barrie. Christmas in The Wild. Airs December 2021. (Hallmark style Special).... Small crew of stunt performers will be there Sunday afternoon downstream of Earls. Then full Filming on RR by Harrington Park and RL above falls. Will occupy the upper section for the Monday. As in the past, there will be someone on location to liaise with paddlers. WO is renting RL property and RPC to them.

2020 AGM NOTICE What a year! Despite COVID and the projected impact on recreational + competitive sports, it has been a surprisingly good year for whitewater paddlers and Whitewater Ontario. ... Whitewater kayaking and canoeing is one of the few sports that has experienced a resurgence. With current and new paddlers jumping in, and former paddlers returning with kids in tow - more fun was had on the river. Over the past 3 years we have grown from 400, to 550 members, but this year we have 700+ members. The postponement of King of Clubs, Hell or High Water, MACKFest, the Freestyle Nationals, and the Slalom Nationals was disappointing. Yet one of the wins was the organizers got a break and went paddling too. The Minden Whitewater Preserve, Ottawa Pumphouse, sections of Hwy 7 runs, Ottawa River and Guelph area spots all had intense use by individual paddlers seeking playtime and freedom from other real world distractions. Covid-19 prevented members of our Canoe-Kayak National Team from travelling overseas to compete in World Cups and other international races, the silver lining was the excellent coaching that these athletes provided over the course of the summer resulting in a growth of Whitewater Ontario Development programs. Setting us up for a bright future when this is all over. Advocacy initiatives like the Fix-The-Gull River Restoration and Rehabilitation Project, the Elora access, the Rideau River playspot @ Carleton U, and a soon-to-be-announced project were all receiving healthy attention to grow our fun on rivers. This year, the Annual General Meeting 2020 will be online. Sunday November 8, 2020 10:30am - 12:30pm GoToMeeting video platform - link provided when you register. **Deadline to register attendance by Wednesday Nov.4 (midnight) See the hyperlinks below for the 2020 Registration form + the 2020 Nominatioon form. There will be a rotation of seasoned directors moving on, and some positions opening, and some shuffling. As the reports come in, the Directors are elected, motions made, projects started, we will be focused on the 2021 paddling season. Link to 2020 AGM Registration + Nomination Form: Registration form link: https://forms.gle/DTDGavNFNkpXZi5w8 Nomination form link https://forms.gle/otbX8Xm1RMXr5k5X7 Your whitewater community needs some support. We are welcoming new volunteers to help at the Board, or events, sites, committees, and programs. Reach out to a member of the Board if you’d like more information. Please join us for the AGM of this grassroots organization, give input, help out in your own way, and together we can enhance the whitewater community. In Service, Dave Gillespie Eric Betteridge Donna Boadway President Vice President W.O. Administrator Peterborough Ottawa Port Perry

A big thank you to all the volunteers that helped with end of season fall cleanup and preparing the RPC for shutdown. COVID protocols made everything a little more challenging this year. I want to thank all the volunteers, staff and members that helped us implement safe practices and to make 2020 a very successful season. We look forward to welcoming you back in the spring.... Marc Joanis On behalf of the great community of volunteers.

The water level this morning is around 8.23.

The water level today is around 8.24!

90sec video of new Otterslide + Washout. Shot by drone after river work August 26, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5XLhBrRoMg

Example of work on walls. Before. After

Lots of people posting general atta-boys & thanks No one volunteers like this for the recognition - BUT it is important to note this work would not be happening without the daily direction of these key individuals.... Marc Joanis - director of Hi-Ho Operations seen here giving hand signs to the soft-touch operator Richard. ... Brent Beck father of (Colleen Beck) - checking eddy lines, waves, and ensuring it meets his extremely high standards. Hugh Beaton, Victor Ettel, and Ed Poropat sharing their input on waves, flood potential, risk & safety factors, garnered from the observations of the Gull over last 30years. And throw in some heckling too! Well done guys !

In case of emergency, there are now 5 emergency location signs on the Minden Whitewater Preserve and Harrington Park property. Each sign has specific coordinates to match the location you are at. Locations: Roger Parson Center Rear Campground... Harrington Park Washout River Left (RL) Washout River Right (RR) See more

4 MASSIVE boulders from falls so far !!

Day 3 is starting @ falls. Water flow is reduced to 10cms until 4pm. Here we are dealing with a little touch up of rotten trees before they fall into the river.

interview with local paddler Chris Card - one of first paddlers to run the river with changes. (2m45sec). not a paid actor !!

Flattened the lower section RR wall + more defined eddy.

Some talented people supervising. Marc Joanis, Ed Poropat in grey, and Hugh Beaton!

River work is underway!

Whitewater Ontario will be performing river restoration work @ Gull River (MWP) this coming week. Tues, Aug.25 - Fri, Aug. 28. 2020. We are doing this within the scope of our permit approved by MNR re: the whitewater rapids covering a 5 year window. Members of Fix-The-Gull committee will be on site to supervise & answer any questions. ... Parks Canada is accommodating this specialized work by managing river levels so we can access specific hazard rocks on Wednesday + Thursday 9-3pm only. If you have a need to discuss this further, or wish to donate to the river work, feel free to give WO President a call or email. Dave Gillespie 705-875-5512 [email protected] (this was head-banger rock removed in 2018. cost @ $500)

The level this morning is 8.16!

A small reminder of the strength of the water! Yesterday, a canoe got fully pinned above the Otter Slide. Here is how we got it out! Thank you to all who helped to safely remove this hazard.

Today's water level is 8.15!

UPDATE: The boat is now removed. Attention paddlers! Please be aware that there is currently a canoe wrapped around the large rock in the center of the river after the boof rock and before the Otter Slide! We are currently working to remove it.

The water level this morning is around 8.14!

The water level this morning on the Gull is 8.12!

Fix The Gull committee met again on Sunday. Highlighting priority areas for excavator work. Next stage coming August 24. Details to be announced later this week. - Dave Gillespie

status of Dam - concrete base is in. Forms up for walls on sluiceway. On track to pour walls soon.

The water level at the Gull this morning is around 8.05.

Sibling surf below the Otter Slide earlier this week! This wave is very dependent on the level of the lake and is better with a higher lake level. The lake level tends to drop throughout the day at the washout, so this wave is often better before supper time!

The water level this morning is around 8.07!

The level this morning around 10am is at 8.09. Earl's hole should be in great condition!

Pulled the Duo out last night for some fun at the washout! The lake was low but spirits were high.

The gauge this morning shows the water level at 7.98! Subject to change over the course of the day as Ontario Parks vehicles were parked at the dam... Unclear if they were changing logs.

Today (Aug 10) they pour the last concrete pad on dam. 20sec video

The water level this morning at MWP is 7.94!

The level this morning is at 7.95! The ledge on river right of Whitehorse Falls is partially exposed.

The gauge this morning shows the water level at 7.82. The ledge on river right of Whitehorse Falls is currently exposed.

The MWP draws many to its shores.

The water level this morning is still on its way up at 7.97!

COVID-19 POLICY UPDATE Due to Covid-19 there are some changes at MWP. You must be a member of Whitewater Ontario to use the property. Registration for memberships can be done by joining your local affiliated club, registering online using Zone 4, or registering on site at MWP. Day-use seasonal memberships are available for purchase online using Zone 4 or on site at MWP. Please come with proof of purchase for memberships and annual camping passes (if applicable). ... Members will all need to sign in as they arrive at MWP. This is a required protocol to aid with contact tracing. Sanitizing stations are set up at the front washrooms, sign in kiosk, and at every outhouse. Washrooms are one person at a time (unless immediate family). Sinks outside are available for potable water. We ask that dishes are washed at your site, not at the sinks, to help us keep the area clean. If you have come into contact with someone with Covid-19 and have been to MWP in the previous two weeks, please contact Dave Gillespie, the president of Whitewater Ontario.([email protected]). MWP CAMPING POLICY UPDATE During Covid-19 restrictions, camping at Minden Whitewater Preserve is restricted to members who are whitewater paddlers and their immediate family. If you do not fit into this category, and wish to camp at the preserve for a specific event or purpose, please contact Marc Joanis, Director of the Whitewater Preserve to see if space is available. Contact Info: Messenger or Mobile: 647 465 5507 Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you at the preserve.

The water level is very slowly moving up! The gauge this morning shows the level at 7.92.

Due to the rain yesterday the water level is now back on the gauge at 7.86.

The water today is not on the gauge. It appears to be a little lower than yesterday. The lake is medium high this morning.

The water level today is not on the gauge and the lake is high this morning.

The water level today is around 7.75 and the lake is high.