Petawawa River (Park section)
From Whitewater Ontario River Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
The Park Section of the Petawawa or the Upper Petawawa is a steep river section with 20+ rapids varying from Class III to Class V. Most notable are MacDonald rapids, Bypass falls, Devil's Cellar and Poplar
Access
This river runs as soon as the ice is out until the fall usually from around May until October. May and June are the ideal times to run the river. By August and September the river will have its lowest flows.
You will be paddling in the Algonquin park. Pay regular park day access fee at Sand Lake Gate. Accessing river involves a fairly long walk along the old railway road. To reach the beginning of your walk turn left as shown on the map(if you reached the bridge over Petawawa, you've gone too far). Through the maze of unpaved roads you will reach the old railway. Drive on it until reaching boulders blocking further passage. Park there and continue further on foot(bridge is about half way mark). Take out is at the bridge on the main(Lake Traverse/Achray) road. The parking area is on the right side of the river.
Notes for those who live west of Algonquin park. Google suggests route using Bisset creek road turn off from hwy #17(transcanada) north of the park. According to Yates store in Stonecliffe where you are supposed to buy permits for that access point, you cannot drive in there. Would be great if anyone could clarify on quality of the roads that show up on the aerial view, that Google suggests. The same goes to Bing maps that suggest cutting north from hwy 60 using unnamed roads visible on the aerial view. Bing also gives unbelievably low time estimate for that shortcut.
Put in
Above MacDonald rapids.
Take Doran Road off Hwy 17 and the first right on Barren Canyon Road.
The road turns to gravel and you will enter Algonquin Park through Sand Lake Gate. You will need to pay an entrance fee here. Cross Barron River and continue along the gravel road, passing signs to Achray camp and McManus Lake. At mile marker 72 take the fork into the woods for around 1km. When you reach the railway bed turn right and follow this. You are at the putin when you see big boulders blocking the track bed.
Walk along the railway bed, cross a bridge and 1km beyond the railway bedis the putin.
It is possible to walk the 4km shuttle.
Take out
At the bridge after Poplar rapids where Lake Traverse/Achray rd crosses the river.
Go back out to the road and continue to mile marker 74 where Lake Travers parking area is.
Rapids
MacDonalds Rapids
Boulder Fals
Devil's Cellar
Poplar Rapids
Scout on river right
Length of run
Run itself takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on scouting time. Drive in from transcanada hwy is about 2 hours. Hike in takes 40-60. Shuttle is about 5 km and can be done on foot or a bike.
Water levels
The current level for this river can be found through the Environment Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data site, gauge 02KB001 Petawawa River Near Petawawa.
Low flow is 2.5
Ideal flow is 3.0 to 3.5
High flow is 4.0
There is also a visual gauge at the highway bridge and the Environment Canada gauge is in the town of Petawawa. Water in the upper Petawawa does often not reach the gauges in town for 1-2 days.
