Page 6: The Future

 It's surprising to find that many people who have lived in southwestern Manitoba all their lives haven't seen the Souris River at it's most picturesque and rugged. Rivers by their very nature are inaccessible. Where do you happen upon them? Usually where the bridges cross them. And when we build bridges we look for the easy crossing - not the most scenic one. The crossing on Highway #2 near Wawanesa gives one a glimpse and the town itself is situated on the lip of the gorge. It's a beautiful place to go for a walk. The crossing on Highway #10 known as Riverside also offers a pleasing vista. A small park provides access to the river. But it's between these two spots that the river is at it's best. Only one bridge crosses the river between these two spots, and that is on Provincial Road #346 north of the small town of Margaret. Here the river is beginning to look a bit more isolated. The gravel road winds down the side of the valley in a less intrusive way than the wide swath cut by the larger highways. The bridge is smaller and hugs the river bank. You can stop and walk across it - get much closer to the river itself.



One of the many views from the a trail along the river.

So, if you stick to the roads, that's all you will see, at best a glimpse into the possibilities of the river. Between the bridge near Margaret and the one near Wawanesa - a distance of nearly 25km by road and over 50 km along the twisting river valley, there are no bridges crossing the river, no through roads even approaching close enough to get more than a glimpse. That's why this territory is such a well kept secret. And maybe that's not a bad thing. Because with a little effort you can see it - unspoiled and uncrowded - no neatly graveled trails, no snack bars, no interpretive centre - just the land and it's real inhabitants. 

Right now the "Bend" is largely undiscovered. You often can walk it's trails without encountering another soul. But it is also unregulated, and you may just encounter an all-terrain vehicle or a truck. It's also open to hunters in season. What should the future hold for these few spots where modern agriculture with it's giant hog barns, it's chemical - heavy agricultural methods, it's heavy machinery hasn't yet intruded? It's a bit of a dilemma. Some of us would like to publicize the uniqueness and charm of the place, to make it a bit easier to find and to access. But that would just bring more people. Would it then be only a matter of time until someone want's to commercialize it in some way or gain some advantage from it's attractions?

With any luck, we'll leave it just the way it is.