Crowe River (Crowe River Fish Hatchery)
From Whitewater Ontario River Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
This section of the river has sections that are Class III, CIV and Class V. It is a short run but can be lapped quite easily if you want more than one run.
Access
The section of river is located North of Hwy #7. Take County Rd. 48 North out of Havelock. Before the road takes you to the town of Cordova make a left on Preston Road, followed by a quick right onto Fire Route 18. Drive along this road until the cottages stop on the left. Keep an eye for an opening in the trees and a park area. You should be able to see a falls off to your left. This is the take out. The put in is about a 5 min drive north. Park in the boat launch parking lot.
Rapids
The first drop is a class V dam drop. It looks very intimidating with no real line and several nasty looking holes. Safety should be a must.
The next section is within meters of the first and is as equally challenging. It is good to get a look at these two rapids before gearing up as scouting can take a while.
The next rapid 3 rapids are class III’s with some fun waves and holes in them. The 2nd to last rapid the river splits, I have always taken river left but have heard if others taken river right, just be aware. The final rapid also splits. River left is more of a rapid where as river right is a falls. You can scout on any side of the river at this rapid. The falls can be quite technical depending on water flows and depth is unknown.
The takeout is to the right after the falls. Jump in the car and make another quick run of it before heading off.
Length of run
This section is short, perhaps 30 minutes with 6 rapids making it an intense but short section. It can definitely be run more than once.
Water levels
The current level for this river can be found through the Environment Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data site, gauge 02HK003 Crowe River at Marmora.
This section of river has been paddled when other rivers in the area were at minimal flows and is still a challenging set of whitewater.
Thanks to Rob K for the following information:
High managable = 10.85
Low creeky = 10.45 The Hydro electric out flow has some effect on minium levels.
1.Large out flow = top drop seems lower
2.Less out flow = top drop seems higher, even though the level reads the same.
