River Valley News - Feb 13/25

North Saskatchewan river finally busts the myth that lakes are superior

If you ask any Edmontonian what's the best thing about living in Edmonton, most will say the river valley. The river valley park is a source of pride and natural beauty held close to the hearts of Edmontonians. However, we don't seem to hold the same affection for the river itself.

This sentiment was made clear in a poll put out by EPCOR to determine the top myths about the North Saskatchewan River (NSR) among Edmontonians. One of the top five myths was that lakes are better than rivers. After chatting with experts to get the true facts about the NSR, EPCOR was able to respond with the following information.

To start, the water quality in the NSR at Edmonton is rated as ‘good to excellent’ and has low nutrients, pathogens (i.e. bacteria) and other contaminants. Being a moving water source, the river doesn't have some of the same issues you might see at a lake or standing water source.

To add, most of the river bottom is rock, gravel, sand or silt and the sediment has little to no odour. In contrast, many recreational lakes in Alberta typically have muddy bottoms which often have an odour due to decomposition of plants and other organic materials. As well, lake algal blooms can contribute to odour and aesthetic issues and lakes can house snail species which are the intermediate host for the dreaded swimmer's itch.

The final reason why rivers are better than lakes is because dissolved oxygen concentrations remain high in the former throughout the entire year providing habitat for a wide variety of fish species. In contrast, several recreational lakes in Alberta can experience low dissolved oxygen concentrations caused by large amounts of algae or aquatic plants which can cause large mortalities of fish during 'winter kill' or 'summer kill' events. https://www.epcor.com/ca/en/ab/edmonton/operations/water-wastewater/north-saskatchewan-river/river-myths.html

Black bears not considered true hibernators by scientists

Rick Price photo

The relationship between humans and black bears has been a tense one since the early days of European settlement. Although agricultural development has made the black bear somewhat scarce, the species often uses wooded river valleys as natural highways to move from one suitable location to the next. Occasionally, this includes the bustling North Saskatchewan River valley of Edmonton. 

In winter, black bears go into a dormancy period during which they do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate. A dormant black bear can slow its metabolism to 25% of normal levels and its heart rate may be reduced to as few as nine beats per minute. But unlike many hibernating species, which can drop their body temperature to near freezing, bears only experience a small drop in body temperature while dormant. For this reason, some scientists do not consider them to be true hibernators, though this remains a point of contention. 

The den used for hibernation is a simple dirt hole that the bear digs out, often under a fallen tree, large rock, or overhanging bank. A spot likely to get covered by snow is optimal, as snow helps to insulate the den from the frigid air outside. To prepare for its time of dormancy, the black bear eats ravenously in late summer and early fall, consuming about 20,000 calories per day. The fat reserves that are built up keep the bear alive through winter. https://naturealberta.ca/black-bear/

EHS presents ‘Call of the Forest’ film on Sunday March 2 at 1:30pm

Edmonton Horticultural Society (EHS) will be screening ‘Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees’ on Sunday March 2 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. The screening will be taking place at Garneau Theatre located on 8712 109 Street NW.

The documentary follows visionary scientist Diana Beresford-Kroeger as she takes us on a journey to the ancient forests of the northern hemisphere. Throughout the film, Diana reveals the profound connection that exists between trees and human life and the vital ways that trees sustain all life on the planet.

Tickets are free for EHS members and $10 for non-members. You can purchase tickets and memberships at the door. https://mailchi.mp/024bb9c0cdc1/what-you-need-to-know-for-february-16574665?e=58e3cc8bf0

February 6 Issue

Raquel wrote “Great edition”

City pools responsible for excluding Black Edmontonians in the 20s

Ron says “Thank you for including the history of anti-Black sentiment in Edmonton. I will pass that on to my grandchildren who, I am happy to say, are in school learning much more about Canada's social history than I ever did.”

City designates 100+ year old south side market a historic resource

Teresa shares “Our ‘gem’ is being sold by the city of Edmonton.”

Boy and Dog by John Robinson, Paul Kane Park https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/boy-and-dog  

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - Feb 6/25

City designates 100+ year old south side market a historic resource

Many of Edmonton’s homes, parks, buildings and infrastructure played an important role in the history and development of the city. The South Side Market, a 100+ year-old institution in Old Strathcona, has served as a farmers’ market, offices and now restaurants. That is a large part as to why it is now designated a Municipal Historic Resource. 

The South Side Market was built in 1923 at 83 Avenue and 104 Street. The building is a fine example of Edwardian-influenced architecture and is associated with John Martland, who served as Edmonton’s City Architect from 1919 to 1944. Martland also designed other city buildings including major additions to the original Royal Alexandra Hospital, the Victoria Golf Course clubhouse, the No. 2 Firehall and the original Blatchford Hangar. 

“Generations of Edmontonians know this building from its time as a health clinic to its days as the home of Packrat Louie restaurant,” said Principal Heritage Planner David Johnston. “It has been repurposed many times since it was first built and it’s wonderful to know that this Old Strathcona gem will be protected into the future.“  https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/historic-resources

City pools responsible for excluding Black Edmontonians in the 20s
Although life during the 1920s was vibrant in our city, it must also be recognized that stereotyping by mainstream society was apparent and affected the lives of many Black Edmontonians. The effects of this were primarily seen in their social exclusion and their lack of employment prospects.

Urban Black peoples in Alberta during the 1920s are often depicted solely as passive victims of racial discrimination and fully segregated from mainstream society. However, there are several accounts of activism within these communities that reminds us to rethink this stereotype. Through these stories, it is clear to see that Black Canadians have always been politically and socially engaged citizens.

We see this in the events that took place in July of 1924. During that summer in Edmonton, an attempt was made to exclude Black citizens from two new swimming pools in Borden and Oliver, as well as the older Queen Elizabeth pool. In response to this injustice, a committee comprised of Rev. Slater, Ernie Walker, and Richard Crotch wrote a letter of appeal to Edmonton’s City Council.

In this letter, the committee demanded that the order forbidding Black people from using public swimming pools be set aside to protect these communities from “so gross an insult and injustice.” As a result of this committee’s advocacy, City Council made a vote three days later that was “almost unanimously in favor of allowing Edmonton’s Black citizens full privileges of the pools.” https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2021/08/15/onc-capturing-everyday-life-challenging-stereotypes/

A guide to spotting tricky signs of water pollution in the river valley

Mack Male photo

The first not so obvious example of water pollution is dead wildlife. Of course, in the natural world death is a part of life. So, if you see a single dead fish floating in the water, that may not be a definite indicator for pollution. However, if you see a whole bunch of dead fish, there is probably a serious problem.

Oil pollution can also be very harmful to aquatic plants and animals, however, normal and unpolluted water can sometimes seem oily. If you see oily-looking water, poke it with a stick or drop a rock on it. If the sheen separates into smaller pieces with jagged platelets, it’s most likely normal bacteria. But if it reforms, it is most likely petroleum.

Foam is another mystery pollution. It can be totally natural, and it can also be a sign of pollutants. Natural foam forms when organic matter is being stirred up and interacts with air. Normal foam on water is usually off-white with an earthy or fishy smell. On the other hand, when foam is unnatural it often has a perfumy scent and a bright white colour.

The final form of pollution that can be very tricky to identify is algae. Algae itself is a natural part of any body of water. However, it is quite common to have serious blooms of blue-green algae in lakes across Alberta. This type of algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can release toxins which are harmful to humans and animals. Learn how to report algae and other water pollutants here https://www.swimdrinkfish.ca/north-saskatchewan-riverkeeper/blog/what-does-water-pollution-look-like

‘Friends of kinnaird ravine’ a prime example of advocating for YEG parks

Friends of Kinnaird Ravine (FKR) is a stewardship group that strives to protect the ecological health, biodiversity and natural integrity of the Kinnaird Ravine through advocacy, education, intervention and community organization. They believe that we can all ‘protect’ and ‘advocate’ for the Kinnaird Ravine by working collectively and collaboratively with the many residential and municipal stakeholders associated with the park.

FKR operates from a Facebook page that was set up to bring together ravine stewards. The group was first started as a master naturalist project by Ted Campbell and is now being led by local steward Kevin Cantelon whose day job is with Alberta Parks. The facebook page is moderated to encourage people to engage in stewardship and nature appreciation.

 A notable goal of this group’s supporters is to address the root causes of homelessness. At the same time, they discourage posting about houseless issues on their Facebook Page. This is because they believe that there are better ways for us all to work together to support ending the housing and safety net crisis. People living rough is common in Kinnaird and FKR wants to ensure they are safe. As Kevin Cantelon says, no-one should die alone in a dark ravine. https://www.ervcc.com/kinnaird

How the braroes collectively bargained against the HBC in 1853

Juliette shares “This was a group of tough voyageurs, they were known as "Blaireaux"- the French word for badger, a very tough and pugnacious animal.”

Lindsay asks “Do you know if the painting at the beginning of this newsletter is an accurate portrayal of the NS river? Just curious at the difference in trees around that area now.”

Answer provided by Editor, “The story link states under the photo in the article the following, "Fort Edmonton with its York Boats in 1825 as imagined by painter JD Kelly in 1949. Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada 4105217." I don't know if this reimagining by the painter is based on historical texts or photos. It would not surprise me if there were not many trees around or near the fort as the land closest to the fort would be used for livestock grazing and growing of foodstuffs like grains, potatoes, cabbages, etc.”

Paths for People’s bold proposal for 76 ave

Carole says “I have supported this Society for a few years but your endorsement of the Paths For People agency is truly disappointing. They destroyed the Old Strathcona Mill Creek neighborhood for the benefit of a few cyclists. The elderly, the disabled, the tax paying people who actually live in the neighborhood were not consulted and their access to their own homes was seriously diminished. I personally had a group of cyclist stop in the middle of the road while I was trying to get to my home. They refused to move aside and laughed at me. I am old and not able to ride a bike. This incident reflects their attitudes of entitlement not unlike that of our UCP government. I am done with your Society even though I love our River Valley. So Sad”

Edmonton Neighborhood by Jill Thomson, City Hall https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/edmonton-neighbourhood

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - Jan 30/25

How the braroes collectively bargained against the HBC in 1853

JD Kelly painting

“Leve! Leve! Et puis…hurrah!”! (Get up!, Get up! And then…hurrah!)

This was the call that roused the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Saskatchewan Brigade from their brief slumber, usually around 3am. It was another grueling day of pulling oars and carrying bales for the Badgers, or “Braroes” (for so the Saskatchewan Brigade called themselves), over portage. The Braroes were essentially tasked with rowing down the rivers of the Bay to trade furs at Forts, such as Edmonton.

Usually when the Braroes heard the morning cry, they had few choices but to comply. The non-natives among them were far from home. If a voyageur were in debt to the Company, which many were, their passage out of Rupert’s Land was thought by the Company to be negotiable.

Although “Leve! Leve!” was the call that roused the Métis, Orkadians, and Canadiens in the brigade to work, one can imagine it also rousing them to a consciousness of their power. A call to realize that the Company’s concern for profits would rarely, if ever, coincide with a concern for them and their wellbeing. Not unless they “got up” and demanded it.

In 1853, the Braroes, shipping furs from Fort Edmonton, combined their voices to argue with their superiors. This event was called a “combination”. A combination was not quite a strike or a mutiny, but very much a show of strength and unity. On one side there was the Braroes and on the other, the Company Officers, including famous Edmontonian John Rowand. The main issues in question were whether a labourer in debt to the Company was permitted to back out of his contract, and whether labourers had to pay to rent horses they used to do Company work.

We know of this morning cry only because it was recorded in the journals of Father Albert Lacombe. Surviving records from the 1850s are overwhelmingly from the Company’s point of view, but few accounts from non-Company sources survive, such as those from voyageurs, Métis country-wives, and First Nations trappers. https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2025/01/28/the-company-and-the-combination-collective-bargaining-at-the-rivers-edge/

Paths for People proposes a bold vision for 76 ave

Paths for People, an active transportation advocacy group, wants the City of Edmonton to consider what it calls a “bold idea” for where 76 Avenue crosses the Mill Creek Ravine between the Ritchie and King Edward Park neighbourhoods. They are proposing to close this portion of 76 Avenue to vehicles and renaturalize the area.

Vice-chair, Cheryl Villetard, says the idea started when Paths for People and Connect76 hosted a Jane’s Walk in May 2024 that explored the area. Currently, 76 Avenue crosses the ravine atop a culvert. A walk participant suggested the section of roadway could be demolished once it is scheduled for renewal in a few years. The idea was that the culvert could be removed, returning the natural flow of the creek, and that active transportation could be prioritized.

The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition wrote a letter of support for this proposal because it would help “daylight the creek”. Portions of the creek were diverted underground in the 1970s to enable vehicle traffic. Daylighting would reroute the creek back to ground level.

Folks can provide support to the proposed changes here https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2025/01/23/bold-vision-for-76-ave-calls-for-rerouting-vehicle-traffic

Join the EALT in protecting Edmonton’s nature as a volunteer today

Graeme McCrady photo

Are you looking for ways to get involved with conservation? The Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT) protects nature through land conservation while engaging communities in stewardship. Throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer, EALT offers opportunities to connect to the land and give back to nature through hands-on stewardship on their conservation lands. 

The first opportunity is the stewardship events that EALT hosts at their conservation lands. For a more in-depth volunteer experience, they also offer 3 main programs for volunteers to get involved on a consistent basis: citizen science, conservation land stewards, and conservation outreach volunteers. EALT also accommodates corporate and group volunteering requests.

On Wednesday February 26 at 12pm, you can attend their online info session and learn more about volunteering options, how to apply, and ask questions. Register here https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/77bbd1e3-2c94-4611-b64e-3ec3c84c79df@4c3a838b-56ec-4937-a8e2-8ac96cfc790d 

EPS dismantling Fulton Creek encampment

Robin shares “I want to caution people who cover the dismantling of encampments to refrain from framing unhoused folks as criminals. It is dehumanizing and fails to take into consideration the bigger picture. The truth is that the government does not take housing seriously, there is not enough housing to safely house the incredible number of unhoused people in Edmonton right now. We see encampments like this because people are taking matters into their own hands, and addressing their need for immediate housing. They are quite literally keeping themselves safe and housed when the city and the province will not do it. If people don't want to see encampments in their neighbourhoods, they should be pressuring the government to build affordable and short-term housing. It is also deeply inappropriate for EPS to be filming the dismantling of these encampments and using the footage as a social media/promotional tool, and at the expense of taxpayers. As Edmontonians, we should not be proud of the fact that we are clearing encampments without having a better alternative available. Emergency shelters are notoriously unsafe, and are not a long term solution. Without housing, encampments will continue to grow. I encourage all Edmontonians to have more compassion and think about how we keep ALL community members safe. And that includes our unhoused neighbours.”

Tri by John Tam & Rob Hora, University of Alberta LRT Station https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/tri

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup