The Edmonton Dragon Boat Racing Club is asking the public to keep an eye out for seven missing dragon boats after their dock was dislodged from its anchors, likely overnight Monday, due to the rising and fast-moving North Saskatchewan River.
Boats swept away by debris-laden waters
Troy McLeod, the club’s vice-president, said the dock was chained to anchors on land, but the force of the river—swollen by weeks of heavy rain—broke it free. “I think at 10:30 last night, a member had seen some stuff going down the river,” McLeod said. “It looked like there was more debris coming down the river, so maybe, we’re guessing at this point, a lot of debris came and hit the dock and took it out.”
Edmonton has received nearly 200 millimetres of precipitation this June, more than double the expected amount for the month.
Search hampered by dangerous conditions
Jay Ball, executive director of the River Watch Institute, said the North Saskatchewan River is flowing at twice the level where it would be acceptable for boats to be on the water. “It’s too dangerous to go on there,” said McLeod. “I haven’t seen any boats on there.” As a result, the club is not launching a formal search crew but is relying on the public to report sightings.
“We’re really just hoping that the boats are found somewhere,” McLeod said. “If they’re in great shape, great. If they’re not, then what stage are they at? Can they be repaired? So we’re hopeful that even if they’re far from the city, we can get them.”
Financial impact and backup plans
The club has more than 200 members. McLeod estimates the losses from the seven missing boats are in the tens of thousands of dollars. The club has “two or three boats” stored on land that could possibly be fixed up for temporary use. In the meantime, members will train on rowing machines. If replacements must be purchased, delivery times to Edmonton will add further delays.
Anyone who spots a dragon boat is asked to email the club at info@edbrc.club.
