Hacksaw, canoe poling is also a great way to slowly go downstream, as in a controlled passage through shallow rapids.

Poling also works great with Bateau's/John Boats in shallow waters.

I can't find any information on how shallow it is at the sides (it is a valley so I think it's pretty deep even near the waters edge) but right now the river in edmonton is averaging around 4 Meters deep.

Fortunately here and for almost 1000km East of here, there is zero white water or rapids. Need to go up stream way into the mountains for that.