Considerable drop in water level: damaged boats and nautical activities on the river break

The considerable drop in the level of the St. Moreover, Lawrence River turns nautical activities. Therefore, both on the side of boats, which are many to undergo damage and the paddle board that has become impracticable in places.

“The water is so low in the sector that has been received approximately five calls for boats whose propeller. However, has broken at the bottom of the water in the last days. Therefore, Just since this morning. Nevertheless, it’s been three people who call me, “observes Jade Grenier, who works for Marina Bobino, in Berthierville.

Jade Grenier, receptionist at Marina Bobino, in Berthierville. Similarly, Photo MARIANNE LANGLOIS

His assessment shows how the boaters navigate in the St. Furthermore, Lawrence River sector must redouble their caution these days. Moreover, otherwise it could cost them dearly because of the water level much lower than usual.

Boats that remain considerable drop water level: damaged at the Quai de la Marina Bobino, in Berthierville, while the water level begins to worry. In addition, Several boaters have seen pieces of their boats broke by circulating in the sector due to the low water level. Photo MARIANNE LANGLOIS

This was about 60 cm under the median on August 12 Tuesday at the Lanoraie station. while southwest Quebec has not received any significant rain for almost a month in addition to undergoing a new heat wave.

At Dumas Marine, the owner Pier-Olivier Dumas also receives many more calls for damaged boats. “Just a propeller, it can cost $ 1,300, and an engine bottom can cost $ 15,000 to $ 20,000,” he said.

Dried banks

In Trois-Rivières. the marina buoys had to be moved to avoid impacts with the bottom of the water.

“We had small problems with the channel. there are considerable drop water level: damaged areas where we usually have 10 feet of water and which had only 4 feet because of the drought,” explains Mario Cloutier, Managing Director of the Marina.

In Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel, many accosted boats cannot completely be put in the water so some channels lack water.

The water level is too low for these boats to be put in the water in this channel of Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel. Photo Olivier Faucher

The soil cracked by dry banks on which the. boats are considerable drop water level: damaged left is observed in several sectors around the river.

Disrupted banks in Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola. Photo MARIANNE LANGLOIS

“Until two weeks ago. I could put my pontoon in the water, but there it is two feet below normal,” explains Louis-Serge Bouchard, who lives on the Île aux Ghostômes.

He had to move his pontoon to the quay of his cousin. whose residence overlooks a more full channel, in order to continue to use it.

Spoiled experience

The drop in the level of the river also has consequences on other nautical activities. including the paddle board.

“It completely considerable drop water level: damaged changes the landscape. I want people to come. have a great experience, but people were crying because the water is low, “explains Alexandre Pelletier, owner of passion planks, located in Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel.

Above: water level in August 2024 in front of passion planks. Bottom: water level in August 2025. Photos provided by passion planks

The company rents boards and offers courses to initiate amateurs to this activity.

But. since Monday, it has been closed indefinitely due to the 30 cm drop last considerable drop water level: damaged weekend of the water level in the monk’s channel, connected to the St. Lawrence River. This is a first for passion planks, which opened in 2015.

Angèle Champagne, involved in the company Passion Planches and mother of the owner Alexandre Pelletier. Photo Olivier Faucher

“Our months when we make money is July and August. We will lose a lot of money. Normally. we see that [la baisse du niveau de l’eau] In September or October, but this is the first time that I considerable drop water level: damaged have seen that too low in August, “continues Mr. Pelletier.

Here is what the channel can look like in front of the passion company planks normally during the summer. Photo provided by passion planks

Her mother. Angèle Champagne, who is also involved in the business, believes that “it will not resume in the coming weeks” so much she judges the serious situation.