Waterton R. (Waterton Prk. - Waterton Res.)

Submitted by admin on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 13:12
Canada›Alberta›South
Submitter & Author Information
Route submitted by: 
Admin
Trip Date : 
Route Author: 
Unknown
Additional Route Information
Distance: 
29 km
Duration: 
3 days
Loop Trip: 
No
Portage Information
No. of portages: 
0
Total Portage Distance: 
0 m
Longest Portage: 
0 m
Difficulty Ratings
River Travel: 
Intermediate
Lake Travel: 
Not applicable
Portaging: 
Not applicable
Remoteness: 
Intermediate
Background Trip Info
Water Levels: 
Route Description
Access to Put-In Information: 

There are only a few public accesses along the route, mostly private land.

Technical Guide: 

Start at Maskinonge Lake just south of where the Hwy 6 bridge crosses the Waterton River. Pull out is on the gravel road just south of the Waterton Reservior which you get to by turning West off of Hwy 800 or East off of Hwy 6.

Maps Required
Other Maps: 
1:125,000 topo map from Southwest Alberta Business Development Centre
Other
Special Comments: 

The first 5km is fairly simple paddling with few rocks or shallows. Once you reach the campsite on river right there become some rocky sections and standing waves along banks but nothing over a ClassI. The first and worst rapid ClassII+ is at 10km it is a narrow section with a bit of a ledge and some big rocks in the channel. There is an easy portage round it however on river right. From here it is just rock avoidance some shallows until you get to Dungarvan Cr. on river right were a Class II rapid exists on a hard corner to the right. From here on till the egress point there are Class II rapids and lots of rocks and riffles to nagotiate with some corners as well.
Flows: 15m3/s
Good: 25-40m3/s
High: >50m3/s

This section has nice clear water that comes directly from the Waterton Lakes. It offers good views of the mountains.
Paddle this river between May01-May15 and June20-July15 for the safest flows. May15-June15 is for experienced paddlers.

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