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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stretch of CdA River closed for jet boat races this week

Paul Brebner, left, of St. Maries,  and Logan Dianda, 10 of Medical Lake, watch the 2012 World Jet Boat Races from a railroad bridge April 15, 2012, above the St. Joe River in St. Maries. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
From staff reports

A 30-mile stretch of the Coeur d’Alene River will be closed to boat traffic Tuesday and Wednesday for jet boat races.

Time trials will be held on the river between Harrison and Cataldo. The event is part of the 2016 USA World Championship Jet Boat Race.

About three dozen competitors are expected. Viewing is available from public access points along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. The races are scheduled to begin around 10 a.m. both days and continue into the afternoon. Spectators must remain 50 feet from the water.

The Panhandle Health District will be putting up additional signs alerting people to historic mining pollution in the river’s flood plain. The signs include information about ways people can protect themselves from exposure to heavy metals, such as avoiding contact with dirt.

Water quality samples will be taken before and after the event. The low-wake boats aren’t expected to stir up pollution, but federal agencies will be doing testing as a precaution, said Ed Moreen, an Environmental Protection Agency program manager.

The USA World Championship also includes racing on portions of the St. Joe, Grand Ronde and Snake rivers.