dailyclimate.org reported first: Adventure rafting on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona is about to get an electric makeover. This spring one of the region’s rafting operators will launch the Colorado River’s first all-electric raft. Hybrid-electric rafts already exist, sort of like a Prius with pontoons. And of course motorboats have ferried tourists up down the river for decades. But to get rid of fossil fuels completely, Arizona-based Colorado River Discovery spent nearly a decade researching and building an alternative energy boat. The raft, named Helios in reference to the Greek god of the sun, passed the initial tests and was recently certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. A series of field tests are all that remain before the boat makes a splash.
Korey Seyler of Colorado River Discovery, which leads Colorado River rafting tours, said Helios would be the first of its kind on the Colorado River and produce zero emissions.
“We are excited to join our sister rafting outfitters, many of whom have recently launched hybrid-electric rafts, in the movement to reduce emissions and preserve the Colorado River for future generations,” Seyler said in a statement.
It’s difficult to measure how much impact one hydroelectric raft is going to make in the big climate picture. River enthusiasts who favor paddles may argue the path to sustainable rafting is through human power. But picking up a paddle may not be appealing to the wide spectrum of visitors that recreate on the Colorado River.
The stretch of water south of the Glen Canyon Dam is smooth and scenic, making trips in 30- to 40-foot-long motorized rafts along the Colorado River in this part of the country very popular. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area hosts more than one million visitors a year; many are families looking for a leisurely float through stunning canyons instead of hold-your-breath-and-pray whitewater excursions.
And as long as gas is cheap in the U.S., it is unlikely there will be significant decreases in gas-powered powerboats.
The rafting company spent $180,000 on the custom-made raft plus another $300,000 on research and development, earmarking $1.50 per customer over the past decade to fund the effort, according to other reports.
Just like an electric car, the raft needs a place to pull aside and juice up. Helios will charge its batteries at a new station that draws its power from the Glen Canyon Dam power plant.
The electrified raft isn’t Colorado River Discovery’s only foray into environmental issues. With a mission to reduce overall fuel consumption by 20 percent, they train staff in techniques to maximize fuel efficiency such as proper throttle control and motor tilt, and follow best practices for motor upkeep and maintenance.
The company also wants to pass the values of environmental stewardship on to their visitors.
Future Helios passengers will learn practices like “leave no trace” as they raft down the Colorado River in their emissions-free ride.
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