Petawawa Spring Trip Report

Petawawa Spring 

by: Philip Kompass

Its been an unusual year this year.  Like most places, we had a pretty warm winter up in the Valley.  We ended the year with a decent but below average snowpack, and we went into winter with pretty wet ground, so despite the less than stellar snowfall, the spring hasn't been too bad.

The gauges started to climb back in early-March and didn't look back for two full weeks, pushing the level on the Petawawa to near record highs.  For those folks out there that haven't paddled the Town section at boomin' flow, it is a short, but wild ride.  Not really any harder than at low flows, and to be honest, far less chance of injury.  Big crashing waves, and enormous pillows and holes are the order of the day.  Every rapid goes, and goes well, but for sure they can be intimidating.

By my count, I consider high water to start around 3.5 on the gauge (http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/graph/graph_e.html?stn=02KB001).  The photos from high water were at 4.15.  That is about 2 feet more water, and the difference between 140 cms and 350 cms.  Good times for sure.

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April 6 - The level has been falling now for a week or two and we are at typical spring levels, albeit 2 weeks ahead of schedule.  After getting skunked on Quebec City due to cold water drying up the flows, we rallied a big crew to go into the ever classic, always enjoyable Upper Petawawa. This river is solid gold.  It makes for a beautiful day of boating on comfortable class IV.  There are tougher options for the more daring, and some simple sneaks for those who just want a day outside.

With the hike in, pretty much snow free, we shouldered our boats for the 4km hike in, and spent another 2 hours picking away at some fine fine whitewater.

If you haven't been in to the Upper Pet, check www.LiquidLore.com (http://www.liquidlore.com/ontario/upperpet/) for the details, but make an effort to get in when the gauge (see above) is above 3.0.  For ages an ages people ran this river are really low flows, late in the spring.  My sincere advice is to go early, avoid the bugs, and get a lap in on high water.  It is one of the best runs in the province and worth the effort it takes to get there.

I didn't grab pictures from everything, but enjoy what I shot, and get in there yourself to see what it is really like.

The rain has been falling lately which is helping the level plateau.  Good stuff for an extended spring and decent levels for the OPS Hell Or High Water (www.HOHW.ca)