Scajaquada Paddlers Go Up the Creek Again

This past Saturday nine boats and 13 paddlers turned out on Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper's third Eco-tour of the season on Scajaquada Creek. Participants ranged from recreational canoe-ists to professionially outfitted kayakers, led by the Riverkeepers' Larry Brooks and Robbyn Drake, and neighborhood guides Tom Hryvniak and Mark Kubiniec.
On the positive side the bucolic morning paddle was highlighted by sights including a green heron, several great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, schools of bass, tons of dragon and damsel flies, and a beaver den.
On the negative side therewas lots of graffiti on the newly refurbished concrete highway piers, seven Tops shopping carts by West Avenue; and six shopping carts, machinery and several
55 gallon drums embedded in the water. At three points between Grant and West Aves the Creek was nearly non-navigable due to tree trunks across the Creek. There are two very shallow points near the Grant Street Bridge where several of boats bottomed out. The finger dam at the foot of Peter Street is once again nearly stopped up by debris and has created a stagnant stinking pool above the dam.
The signs of life in the Creek are encouraging, and the recreational paddle is truly an eye-opeing urban waterfront experience. Future paddles and hikes are being planned by Riverkeeper and the Scajaquada Canoe Club to take place in 2008.
Riverkeeper's next event is the Autumn Sweep on Saturday September 15th, held once again in conjunction with the Grant Amherst Business Association. The clean-up meets at the American Legion Post on Amherst Street at 9AM. All are welcome to help support the cleaning up and redevelopment of Scajaquada Creek.