Midvale City partnered with the Jordan River Commission to create a river kayaking event on Sept. 20, as part of the commission’s Paddle the River series. Each September, the JRC encourages communities along the Jordan River to bring awareness to the waterway’s ecological and recreational importance through its Get to the River Festival. 

Rachel Turk, Jordan River Commission outreach manager, said the community kayaking event educates Midvale residents about river safety while debuting the new boat ramp at 7800 South and the innovative portage at 7600 South. The new launch locations will allow kayaks and canoes to access a new spot on the Jordan River.

“Sometimes people are scared of getting on the river, but other times, people aren’t scared enough,” Turk said. “We’re hoping, with this new portage, that people can start to use this area. We always tell people to join us on one of these paddles to get informed and educated before you go out on the river.”

Midvale Mayor Marcus Stevenson was up for the challenge. Several kayaks were provided for free so residents could enjoy the event and everyone met up at the 7600 South portage to launch into the Jordan River. 

“We want people to take advantage of the river, but we want people to know how to do that safely,” he said. “The paddle we’re doing is only about a mile long, but it’s all about trying to get people comfortable. It’s going to be my first time on the river. Kayaking on a still lake is much different than a moving river. So I’m excited about it but it’s gonna be a learning experience.”

River safety was a priority for organizers who partnered with the Unified Fire Authority Water Rescue Team. Members of the team were on hand to provide safety advice, including how to wear a life jacket properly.

UFA Captain Joe Egbert, from Station 117 in Taylorsville, attended the event and had a rescue team floating the river with attendees. He offered a safety briefing and talked about the hazards of kayaking the Jordan River.

“Anytime you’re around water, even as slow as the Jordan [River] is, there’s always some risk,” Egbert said. “Watch out for strainers, branches and stuff you can get caught in. Also, one of the things with the Jordan is, if you step into it, there’s mud you can get stuck in. We had a horse rescue a while back. We had to pull a horse out that was stuck in the mud.”

Midvale resident Sagar Pathare heard about the Paddle the River series and decided to try something new. The Midvale event was his third time kayaking and he said he’s become more confident each time. 

“I had never done kayaking before this month so I’m still kind of learning kayaking,” Pathare said. “It’s been a fun experience.”

Organizers hope attendees leave the kayaking event with a deeper appreciation for the 50-mile-long Jordan River and its significance. Conservation efforts are geared toward protecting the waterway which is home to native wildlife including foxes, beavers, deer, reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds.  

“We’re really lucky to have direct access to the Jordan River,” Stevenson said. “I think it’s something that many of our residents who live near the river recognize and realize we have. But I think the further east we go, we have residents that forget about the incredible access that we have. And so for me, it’s all about highlighting it.”

The city hosted two events during the Get to the River Festival: the kayaking adventure and a free screening of “Upriver,” a documentary about the restoration of Oregon’s Willamette River. The film spotlights efforts made by communities along the waterway to restore, protect and conserve the ecosystem. 

To learn more about activities and volunteer opportunities with the JRC, visit jordanrivercommission.gov. λ