Black River (Lower Queensborough)
From Whitewater Ontario River Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
This section of river is a little shorter then the Upper part of the river and the whole river could be done in a day if an early start was made. This section is less intense than Upper Black with more flatwater. This river is Class III/CIV although like the other Highway 7 runs is mainly a class II/III run with some class IV drops.
Access
The Lower Black runs from early April to Mid May and opens up usually before Beaver Creek is open. It too can come up with heavy rain.
Put in
The putin for the Lower Black is in Queensborough.
Take out
The takeout is at Hwy7. There is a class IV rapid below Hwy7 but most people take out above.
Rapids
The first stretch of this river is small current and flat water paddling. But once you get to the first rapid, the river picks up and is comparable to the Upper Black. The first significant rapid is a narrow series of chutes that is boat scoutable. You will know when you are at this rapid, as there is a farm house on r river right.
The next significant rapid is a medium sized falls. A small hunting cabin is on river left, and it is easiest to scout and walk this rapid from river right. The last major rapid on this section is a long canyon run that at higher levels can have some meaty holes in it. Scouting options are not great with this rapid, but it has been scouted and walked on river right.
There are several other smaller class II/III rapids along this river dividing up the bigger drops.
Don’t forget about the Class V drop south of Hwy #7. Often overlooked, there is a significant drop a short paddle past Hwy #7. Scout on river right, as river left is a high rock wall that most of the water is pushing into. There is not a known take past this point to park your car. But a quick shuttle can be run at the end of the day.
Length of run
This run take 3 to 4 hours but can be run with the Upper in a day.
Water levels
The current level for this river can be found through the Environment Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data site, gauge 02HL003 'Black River Near Actinolite.
Low flow is 8cms. Medium flow is 18. High flow is around 40cm although it can be run above this.
