Water holds a magical appeal, aside from its obvious life-sustaining properties.

In Southern Alberta, that it’s considered precious is reflected in the amount of time and effort spent trying to protect and improve water quality in the Oldman River drainage, under the watchful eye of groups such as the Oldman Watershed Council and more than 20 landowner-based water conservation and stewardship groups from Chief Mountain to the Lower Little Bow. And the working group of 30 or so conservation, recreation, landholder and community representatives seeking protection for the Castle Special Place has as its main goal conservation of the Castle River drainage and surrounding environment.

Water moving through creeks and rivers, held in lakes and stored in reservoirs provides for industrial, agricultural, power production and human consumption – fourth on the list of four main uses.

Recreation is an added bonus and provides the magic for many.

I’ve had more than a few experiences on water, mostly walking and wading southwestern Alberta streams in search of rainbows or cutthroats. But, I’m never disappointed if I see none: just being on the water is spiritual experience.

Much less frequently are float trips. One in particular had its moments of wonder and terror, down the Castle River in a two-man rubber boat, past a Great Blue Heron rookery, with one tip-over and ending in a lightning storm. Another was in a larger rubber dinghy that held 10 people and a slobbering black lab. That’s when I learned to patch a leak with pinesap. I also recall getting out of the dinghy to free it from a mid-river bar and being left behind standing in the current.

This time of year, the area’s rivers can show the effects of spring runoff, an off-colour, muddy looking and generally unappealing flow.

Except for those who find it good for floating.

“It’s the best time of year,” says Craig Ellis who’s been paddling area streams most of his life. Of course, he’s referring to rushing water that provides a greater thrill for those looking for one. For the rest of us, it may be a bit much.

But, any time spring, summer or fall brings out floaters and paddlers. And, says Craig, Southern Alberta rivers are catching on, as was illustrated on the May long weekend when more than 350 canoeists and kayakers – a couple even from Australia – converged on the Castle at the rodeo grounds downstream from the Highway 507 bridge.

Paddlers are starting to come here instead of Montana’s rivers, where “now you need to take a number,” says Craig. And some see opportunity for extreme floating, like tackling Lundbreck Falls.

“Before, there were some broken backs, but now they’re figuring it out and the boats are better” for going over the falls, says Craig.

For others, a more leisurely approach fits, like a moonlight paddle scheduled for last night on Henderson Lake.

“One lady even made glow-in-the-dark toques for it,” says organizer Melanie Ellis.

Inflating the float tube/belly boat hanging on the garage wall would be about my speed.