Bowron Lakes Circuit

Basic Logistics - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Gear - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Navigation and Maps - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Leadership - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Weather - Bowron Lakes Circuit
International Travel - Bowron Lakes Circuit
Flora and Fauna - Lakes Circuit
Previous Adventures - Bowron Lakes Circuit 

Disclaimer

There are significant dangers associated with both Open Water and Moving Water canoe outings.  Units undertaking a Scouting Adventure on either a large body of water or moving water need more than just the basic skills and knowledge required by the BSA to conduct such a trip safely.

Our Troop has several adults with extensive experience and professional training in watercraft use, sailing and whitewater.  If you are planning a Canoe trip and do not have an experienced adult leader able to assess flow rates, wind and "read water", you should reconsider a water outing until you have the proper resources and people to make your trip safe. 

We are happy to talk to you if you have questions. 

Weather

Large lakes have their own weather microclimates.  Due to temperature gradient over water during the day, winds will often pick up, create ripples in the water and then magnify the size of waves until the wind dies down.  This means afternoon waves past 2pm may prevent safe travel via canoes.   

The weather in Bowron can change suddenly, requiring the crew to get off the water and seek shelter.  Any notice will help the crew not get stranded in a nasty location or getting stuck out in open water in dangerous conditions. 

Support Crew in US will check weather daily and report to crew

• • Site: 7 windy.com/53.270/-121.246/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.268,-121.246,16

  • Site: 14 windy.com/53.323/-121.118/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.319,-121.118,15

  • Site: 21 windy.com/53.227/-120.968/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.218,-120.968,13

  • Site: 29 windy.com/53.107/-120.804/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.105,-120.804,16

  • Site: 33 windy.com/53.071/-120.902/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.055,-120.902,13

  • Site: 42 windy.com/53.064/-121.162/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.059,-121.162,14

  • Site: 50 windy.com/53.187/-121.300/canHrdps?canHrdps,53.183,-121.300,15

  • Please use the following Models:

    • NAM (max 60 hours) or ECMWF (good for 60+ hours) for next day and beyond

    • HRRR CONUS (US) or HRDPS (Canadian) for same day forecasts

      • HRDPS in Canada is great, but only refreshes every 4 hours, which is less than ideal

    • METEOBLUE is AI and complies everything else – it’s probably fine

    • GFS is the free US model – please avoid when possible – it has 22km spatial range which is awful

  • Please send us a message if the wind perditions are beyond green and if there is any significant weather coming

Wildfires

Wildfires are a regular part of Canadian summers.  Fires and smoke can impact travel.  They can close off roads, requiring you to reroute your trip.  They can smoke out entire areas and make it undesirable. unhealthy or dangerous camp.  It can cancel your entire adventure. 

The Support Crew in US shoulder monitor Wildfire conditions and the Bowron Crew know if they need to change thier route, change camp locations or just come home.  They may need help with route finding (send a Google Maps link) and/or camp reservations.  Avoid setting up camping a wildfire area.