Madawaska River Lower
From Whitewater Ontario River Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
The lower section of the Madawaska is a fairly reliable spring/early summer Class II/Class III. run. It is a great river for novices as the rapids are pool drop and the water is quite deep. The rapids are easy to scout.
There is a short section at Palmer Rapids a well as the main run from Aumond Bay to Buck Bay. The river also has a park and play spot at Hass Hole.
Access
Map of Lower Madawaska including Palmer Rapids, putins & takeout
There are two different options for putin. One requires more flatwater paddling but a shorter drive while the other requires less flatwater paddling but a longer drive.
Put in
The main putin is at Aumond Bay off Addington Rd/Hyland Creek Road. From Quadeville, follow Addington Rd. 5.1 Km to the end of the paved section. Continue on the logging road 2 Km to a dirt road on the right. Follow this for 2.5km to a small parking lot at Aumond Bay. Bare in mind this is a logging road and is quite potholed and bumpy so vehicles with a high clearance are needed.
You can also putin at Hass Hole. This is private land and there is a putin fee per paddler. From the turn onto Bruceton Road, travel 3.5 km to a fork. Turn left onto Keller Road and continue on for nearly 2km to a small bridge. After the bridge take the next driveway on the left belonging to Clifford Hass (should be on the mailbox). Follow the driveway to the second house. The fee box is here so remember to stop and pay. The road continues on to an old hunting camp where you can park.
Take out
The takeout is at Buck Bay further down Hyland Creek Road. From the putin just go back to the logging road, turn right and follow it for 6.2km to a dirt road on the right. This road ends at a parking lot.
Rapids
Palmer Rapids
Palmer Rapids is usually just a park and paddle. You can access the section on river right or left through Jessup's campground or some logging roads on river left. Paddler Coop as at the bottom of this section. This is a great section for beginners and intermediates for practising skills. It can be paddled all summer with the best levels being around 100cm.
The top section of Palmer Rapids (Piano Rock) has three chutes. The far river right chute is the most fun (CIII) and can be run even when the river is low. The middle and river left chutes have various lines and are more fun with more water.
Railroad rapid has a small surf wave at the top and then follows some bumpy water down do a fun hole/wave on river right, although it is hard to play in.
Take out on river left and walk back up the shore to run the section again.
Lower Madawaska
From the main putin there is a long 4/5km flatwater paddle to the first rapid which is hass hole.
Hass Hole
There are different holes and waves that come in at different levels here.
Rifle Chute
This rapid can be scouted on the left. There are lots of ledges and holes here with various lines.
Split Rock
Raquette
This rapid has different channels but the usual line is down the left hand channel through some rocky ledges to a small punchable hole.
Length of run
12km approx or 8km from the Hass Hole putin
Water levels
The current level for this river can be found through the Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data site, gauge 02KD004 Madawaska River at Palmer Rapids.
Min: runnable down to 10 cms
Ideal: for running the river is at its best over over 35 cms. For play at hass hole, above 60cms is ideal
Max: There is no max. The rapids become more washed out at higher levels.
