Top kayakers from across Ontario will race through the Elora Gorge on Saturday, May 9 for the annual Elora Down River Race.
The kayakers are attracted by the natural rapids in the river as it races through the Elora Gorge Conservation Area, operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. The races are sponsored by the Moira River Kayak and Canoe Club.
Spectators are welcome. There is no charge to watch the races, although visitors to the park must pay the regular park admission fee of $4.25 for those over 14 and $2.50 for children 6-14.
In order to assist the kayakers, the GRCA will adjust the amount of water released from the Shand Dam (Belwood Lake) reservoir upstream from Elora.
On Saturday, the plan is to raise the discharge at about 6 a.m. so that the combined flow from the Grand and Irvine rivers will total 15 cubic metres per second through the gorge for the races between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Discharges will be dropped at 4 p.m.
The increased flows may make the river less suitable for fishing, particularly fly-fishing.
Please note that discharge rates could change depending on weather conditions.
Information about river and reservoir levels can be found in the River Data section of the GRCA’s website at www.grandriver.ca
