Post by darrellmyskiw on Jun 27, 2005 9:03:46 GMT -6
The Assiniboine River
This 665 mile river, is mid-point in a series of waterways running from Rocky Mountains through into Hudson’s Bay. The river, rightly so, was named after its local inhabitants, the Assiniboine: Algonquian for “those who cook with stones”. With the surrounding area of the river rich in history, from legend of Whitehorse, to Lewis and Clark, Henry Youle Hind, Waggle Springs, Henry Kelsey, to the likes of scaleson, the flood of 1950, Caddisguy, Speyistheway, the flood of 1995, flyfisheranonymous …. Conservations districts, and more ……… to detail specifics on a lengthy river as such, will definitely take time.
The Assiniboine’s true headwaters lie in Pickle Lake Conservation Area in Saskatchewan, approximately 65 miles south-east of Melfort, SK. Crossing into Manitoba from Saskatchewan about 10 miles northwest of Roblin Manitoba, the Assiniboine flows onward, yet being dammed up at Shellmouth (by the Shellmouth Dam). By a 1958 Royal Commission on Flood-Cost benefits – due to the flood of 1950, the Shellmouth Dam was initiated to store waters, and reduce flow peaks downstream. Completed in 1972, the dam creates the Lake of the Prairies, a well respected fishery for northern pike, walleye, carp, and numerous other warm water species.
Taking over from the Qu’Appelle River at St. Lazare Manitoba, and already having been established miles upstream, the Assiniboine is a water body, with a destination set in mind, and appropriately flows with the same determination. Onwards it flows, and winds its way, creating many places of enjoyment and relaxation, and at the same time holding memories for many, present and past. One of many parkways along this river is within the City of Brandon. In the 1970's, the concept of River revitalization began, and Brandon began to develop a parks system along the Assiniboine River. In 1995, a 25-year development plan for the rejuvenation of the River Corridor was created. Cast a line throughout the Assiniboine River around Brandon, and see if you can find some of the lake sturgeon stocked there annually.
Picking up is second main tributary, the Souris River just outside Treesbank (approximately 20 miles southeast of Brandon, Manitoba), the river is fueled for movement and continues its cutting path into the Manitoba landscape. Cutting through Spruce Woods Provincial Park just to the east, the elevated banks of the river make for great viewing and panoramic sites.
Diked in various locations along its route to hold the waters within its banks, the natural flow of the Assiniboine is once again interrupted. Another resultant structure that materialized from the 1958 Royal Commission on Flood-Cost benefits, was the Assiniboine River Diversion channel. Completed in 1970, this 700 cubic meter per second capacity channel diverts water just upstream of Portage la Prairie, into Lake Manitoba.
Appropriately with the size of watershed the Assiniboine itself is fed with, the river received 2 out of 3 of the major programs out of the 1958 Royal Commission. The Shellmouth Dam, and the Diversion by Portage la Prairie. The third major project, does affect the Assiniboine’s flow, but not directly. This project, the Red River floodway, is a 1700 cubic meter per second diversion of the Red River. Completed in 1968, this floodway has generated quite the history on its own.
One more parkway created by the river – or should be stated – along one of the river’s many oxbow lakes, is Crescent Lake, in Portage la Prairie. Fishing, waterslides, picnic, golfing, water skiing … many activities to do – or, just relax in the shade. Not all parks are within city’s, as noted earlier, Spruce Woods Provincial Park, and also Beaudry Provincial Park just 10 miles outside the perimeter on Roblin Boulevard – another quiet place to cast a line, take a hike, have a picnic, watch wildlife.
To get a general feeling of the river’s flow rate, and how its tributaries play a role, the mean flow rates for the river are :
Russell – 32 m3/sec … add in the Qu’Appelle river, and other minor tributaries
Brandon – 81 m3/sec … add in the Souris River and other tributaries …
Headingly – 115 m3/sec
Growing up, fishing along the Assiniboine along some of its 12 dikes between the Baie St. Paul bridge crossing the river on PR248, and Portage la Prairie, it always guaranteed a treat. From a nice walleye, to a freshwater drum, to muskrat, and even a surprising 5 inch freshwater clam – fishing was never a bore (and that we were … boys).
Under-utilized, under-fished, and over-shadowed locally around Winnipeg by the Red River, the Assiniboine’s fishery is always at the ready to please the angler. From human engineered riffles and rapids, to the countless Oxbow lakes along its course. The Assiniboine’s warm water is host to numerous fish species. From carp, freshwater drum, bullheads, northern pike, walleye, sauger, goldeye, channel catfish, lake sturgeon (stocked), to freshwater clams, and more … quite the variety of aquatic wildlife. Angling along the river is never quite the problem, as all one needs to do is choose a spot and cast their line.
The river has an over abundance of locations for recreational activities or just plain relaxation. Pick an area to explore the waters - and the heritage surrounding it.
But … where is a great spot ….. you decide
This 665 mile river, is mid-point in a series of waterways running from Rocky Mountains through into Hudson’s Bay. The river, rightly so, was named after its local inhabitants, the Assiniboine: Algonquian for “those who cook with stones”. With the surrounding area of the river rich in history, from legend of Whitehorse, to Lewis and Clark, Henry Youle Hind, Waggle Springs, Henry Kelsey, to the likes of scaleson, the flood of 1950, Caddisguy, Speyistheway, the flood of 1995, flyfisheranonymous …. Conservations districts, and more ……… to detail specifics on a lengthy river as such, will definitely take time.
The Assiniboine’s true headwaters lie in Pickle Lake Conservation Area in Saskatchewan, approximately 65 miles south-east of Melfort, SK. Crossing into Manitoba from Saskatchewan about 10 miles northwest of Roblin Manitoba, the Assiniboine flows onward, yet being dammed up at Shellmouth (by the Shellmouth Dam). By a 1958 Royal Commission on Flood-Cost benefits – due to the flood of 1950, the Shellmouth Dam was initiated to store waters, and reduce flow peaks downstream. Completed in 1972, the dam creates the Lake of the Prairies, a well respected fishery for northern pike, walleye, carp, and numerous other warm water species.
Taking over from the Qu’Appelle River at St. Lazare Manitoba, and already having been established miles upstream, the Assiniboine is a water body, with a destination set in mind, and appropriately flows with the same determination. Onwards it flows, and winds its way, creating many places of enjoyment and relaxation, and at the same time holding memories for many, present and past. One of many parkways along this river is within the City of Brandon. In the 1970's, the concept of River revitalization began, and Brandon began to develop a parks system along the Assiniboine River. In 1995, a 25-year development plan for the rejuvenation of the River Corridor was created. Cast a line throughout the Assiniboine River around Brandon, and see if you can find some of the lake sturgeon stocked there annually.
Picking up is second main tributary, the Souris River just outside Treesbank (approximately 20 miles southeast of Brandon, Manitoba), the river is fueled for movement and continues its cutting path into the Manitoba landscape. Cutting through Spruce Woods Provincial Park just to the east, the elevated banks of the river make for great viewing and panoramic sites.
Diked in various locations along its route to hold the waters within its banks, the natural flow of the Assiniboine is once again interrupted. Another resultant structure that materialized from the 1958 Royal Commission on Flood-Cost benefits, was the Assiniboine River Diversion channel. Completed in 1970, this 700 cubic meter per second capacity channel diverts water just upstream of Portage la Prairie, into Lake Manitoba.
Appropriately with the size of watershed the Assiniboine itself is fed with, the river received 2 out of 3 of the major programs out of the 1958 Royal Commission. The Shellmouth Dam, and the Diversion by Portage la Prairie. The third major project, does affect the Assiniboine’s flow, but not directly. This project, the Red River floodway, is a 1700 cubic meter per second diversion of the Red River. Completed in 1968, this floodway has generated quite the history on its own.
One more parkway created by the river – or should be stated – along one of the river’s many oxbow lakes, is Crescent Lake, in Portage la Prairie. Fishing, waterslides, picnic, golfing, water skiing … many activities to do – or, just relax in the shade. Not all parks are within city’s, as noted earlier, Spruce Woods Provincial Park, and also Beaudry Provincial Park just 10 miles outside the perimeter on Roblin Boulevard – another quiet place to cast a line, take a hike, have a picnic, watch wildlife.
To get a general feeling of the river’s flow rate, and how its tributaries play a role, the mean flow rates for the river are :
Russell – 32 m3/sec … add in the Qu’Appelle river, and other minor tributaries
Brandon – 81 m3/sec … add in the Souris River and other tributaries …
Headingly – 115 m3/sec
Growing up, fishing along the Assiniboine along some of its 12 dikes between the Baie St. Paul bridge crossing the river on PR248, and Portage la Prairie, it always guaranteed a treat. From a nice walleye, to a freshwater drum, to muskrat, and even a surprising 5 inch freshwater clam – fishing was never a bore (and that we were … boys).
Under-utilized, under-fished, and over-shadowed locally around Winnipeg by the Red River, the Assiniboine’s fishery is always at the ready to please the angler. From human engineered riffles and rapids, to the countless Oxbow lakes along its course. The Assiniboine’s warm water is host to numerous fish species. From carp, freshwater drum, bullheads, northern pike, walleye, sauger, goldeye, channel catfish, lake sturgeon (stocked), to freshwater clams, and more … quite the variety of aquatic wildlife. Angling along the river is never quite the problem, as all one needs to do is choose a spot and cast their line.
The river has an over abundance of locations for recreational activities or just plain relaxation. Pick an area to explore the waters - and the heritage surrounding it.
But … where is a great spot ….. you decide