Concerns regarding the presence of aquatic invasive species (AIS) have led to the temporary closure of numerous lakes and rivers to watercraft within mountain national parks in Alberta. This situation has prompted some paddlers to advocate for a more cooperative approach in addressing the issue.
Starting from this spring, lakes and rivers in Jasper National Park, alongside Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Waterton Lakes, will be divided into three zones, each with distinct regulations for water activities. While certain popular water bodies remain accessible to paddlers, the restrictions predominantly impact backcountry areas.
Expressing disappointment with the newly imposed limitations, Andrew Loughlin, a seasoned whitewater enthusiast based in Jasper for over two decades, described the restrictions as disheartening in a letter directed to Parks Canada. Loughlin emphasized the significance of accessing certain unique locations in the park solely by boat, which are otherwise unreachable by alternative means.
Loughlin estimated that over 75% of the navigable waterways in Jasper are now restricted.
Presence of Whirling Disease in Lake Louise
The decision to enforce these measures follows the recent confirmation of whirling disease in Lake Louise, a situation that Parks Canada attributes to human activities on the lake.
This disease, also detected in Banff and Yoho, results in skeletal abnormalities in juvenile fish such as salmon, whitefish, and trout, leading to mortality rates of up to 90% among young fish populations.
Initially identified in British Columbia in 2024, the disease spread to the Kootenay River watershed but has not been observed in Kootenay National Park.
During Jasper National Park’s annual forum earlier this month, Dave Argument, a resource conservation manager with Parks Canada, stressed the importance of taking immediate action to prevent the disease from spreading further, cautioning that once invasive species and diseases infiltrate, their removal becomes extremely challenging, potentially leading to downstream dissemination.
Parks Canada highlights on its website that AIS are commonly transmitted through watercraft and fishing gear transported between lakes and rivers.
Argument emphasized that the decision to implement restrictions was made after thorough assessments of each watershed to safeguard aquatic ecosystems effectively while permitting recreational activities where feasible.
Open and Closed Areas
While the primary stem of the Athabasca River remains accessible for recreational purposes, the tributaries supporting it—comprising more advanced backcountry routes featuring Class 4 and Class 5 rapids—are predominantly off-limits to watercraft, fishing waders, and windsports.
Some rivers remain open to paddlers due to natural barriers like waterfalls, which impede the upstream movement of AIS, according to Parks Canada.
Within the water recreation zone, Parks Canada specifies that scuba diving is allowed but restricted to licensed commercial operators.
Segments of the Athabasca River, Chaba River, and Sunwapta River fall under the “special tactics zone,” where only fishing with waders is prohibited.
Even within restricted zones, activities such as swimming, beach toys, snorkeling, and fishing
