Opeongo
From Whitewater Ontario River Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
Opeongo is a spring run with narrow window of opportunity to run it that coincides with that of Upper Madawaska. Unlike Upper Madawaska it does not have high consequence rapids but boasts many miles of continuous CII/CIII rapids. Make sure you have a reasonable map since you will need to cross a few lakes before getting to the river.
Access
Although it is tempting to try to cut the flat lake water paddle out and get to the whitewater section using the road you see on the map, you will be disappointed to find out that this road is private and has a closed gate. Note that shuttle will take significant amount of time. Algonquin Bound is one of the options to avoid doing it yourself. If running shuttle yourself you will likely want to drop vehicles at takeout before proceeding to put in.
Put in
Shall Lake in Algonquin park - Accessed from the town of Madawaska via Major lake Road the access point is located between Crotch Lake and Farm Lake. Permits are available at the access point and can be obtained at the booth right at the put in.
Take out
Takeout is located off Alyen lake road about 5.6 km after turn off from Hwy 60. Finding this spot when paddling down is easy if you remember that Alyen river joins Opeongo on river left.
Rapids
Classifications of rapids bellow are copied from "Madawaska river and Opeongo river Whitewater guide" by George Drought. Main difficulty is related to length of the rapids and potential for a long swim. Large waves on these rapids present difficulty to open boats.
Featherson Dam rapids CII
Depot rapids CII
Victoria Ledge CIII
Introduction CII
Roller Coaster(6-7km long) CIII
Simon Chutes CIV Three ledges
Length of run
21km. 29 if running Don't bother rapids.
Water levels
Levels are determined from Bark lake inflow, which combines Upper Mad and Opeongo inflow in proportion ~2:1. All information bellow refers to combined inflow. This is typically a spring run that does not stay up very long. MKC posts levels while they are open here. The OPG release schedule can be used to work out flows can be found here. Click on Bark Lake Dam to get the updated release schedule.
Low flow (scenic and fast but very easy) is 55CMS(combined inflow).
Good flow is 80CMS+(combined inflow)
See also
Madawaska River and Opeongo River Whitewater Guide by George Drought
