Paddle Journal

On a sunny Sunday morning, on the last day of July, five kayakers and two canine companions set out at 9 a.m. across the Niagara River to visit Motor Island, Strawberry Island, the shoreline of Beaver Island State Park, and whatever else we might find.

We launched from a little pocket park at the end of E. River Rd., officially known as the "East River Enhancement Project" (catchy name, huh?). It's a newly constructed, hand-launch-only site with paved parking, sidewalks, a gravel launch, docks, a small breakwall, and a wetlands reclamation project. The wetlands habitat can be viewed from both the neatly mulched paths on land and from a paddler's perspective on the water.

We first paddled across the river to investigate Motor Island, which is designated as a State Wildlife Habitat, complete with duck blinds designated for duck hunting. (So don't paddle there during hunting season!) We saw dozens of black cormorants in nests made of sticks perched in the tops of trees.

Next, we paddled to Strawberry Island and investigated the small, tranquil lagoon. We saw many terns, gulls, cormorants, and other birds. There was only one small motorboat nearby, anchored and fishing in the lagoon, so we had the feel of being in a very remote area. The group paddled around the island and pulled the boats ashore at a small beach. Everyone enjoyed a brief rest and snacks, and no one stepped on poison ivy! The water was surprisingly clear, perfect for a quick cool-off swim.

After our break, we paddled towards Beaver Island State Park beach. Upon approaching the beach from rather far away, we were promptly warned by an energetic young lifeguard with a very loud megaphone to "Keep behind the boating buoys!" Chastised, yet resisting the urge to defiantly slalom around the boating buoys, (<grin>) we paddled past the beach, and across the public marina next to the beach. Suddenly, we saw what looked like a small stream** to turn right into. The group then entered this small, quiet channel, filled with water lilies. The channel led under a footbridge, right through the park, under another footbridge, and back out on the Niagara River.

As we paddled back to our launch site, it was hotter, and the muscle boats were now out, creating almost constant big wave wakes. We hugged the shoreline and returned to our launch site about 1 p.m.

-- Ness

**Unable to find out this channel's or stream's name on a map, I later called the Beaver Island State Park Office for information. I spoke with the gentleman in charge of Beaver Island State Park. He informed me that the "Canal" is actually a silted-in lagoon that separates Little Beaver Island from Beaver Island State Park: it's not a stream at all. He was a great source of other information, including the East River Enhancement Project launch where we had put in. This great launch site is a project spearheaded by the State Parks Dept.