CdB Forum
CdB Whitewater Paddling Club Discussions => Paddling => Topic started by: JohnCyr on October 25, 2011, 12:31:41 PM
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Paul, Christian, I thought it would be great to have a "sticky" thread about the Ottawa River gauges. As some of you might know, people call me the gauge master. I almost always know what river is at what level. Alot of people ask what the level is either here or Boatwerks so I thought this could come in handy and perhaps get traffic on the forum as well.
Itd be cool to have this thread openend for me to change the level as I edit my first post kinda thing and keep the fellow paddlers up to date as OKS and OWL have stopped updating.
Ottawa River @ Beachburg :
2012-06-14 = 0.5
Ottawa River @ Britania:
2012-06-14 = 57.85
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Ok, let's try that and see the response!
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Id also like to point out that if someone is looking for water levels of other rivers around Quebec, Ontario or the US here are a few useful links. If someone is also looking for a visual on the Rouge or Petite Nation or Quyon as far as ice go and such, I am in the area at least twice a month usually.
Quebec Rivers:
http://www.quebecwhitewater.com/en/river-level
or
http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/suivihydro/default.asp
Ontario Rivers:
Madawaska:
http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/graph/graph_e.html?stn=02KD004
Other Ontario Rivers:
http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/text_search/search_e.html?search_by=p®ion=ON
or
http://www.boatwerks.net/water-levels
USA Rivers:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/
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thanks , finnaly someone to report the levels , the bussy riders will be sad someone is spilling the beans on the level though ;D , I'm out till spring anyways , broke my leg at the skatepark :-\
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Whoa... Mark, you've had some bad luck there! Good news, though: you're still young. I broke my leg in March a few years ago, and the following August I was racing in a 24 hours mountain bike relay race without problem. So you'll be fine for Sewer Wave in February! But don't do anything stupid in the meantime! --C.
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thanks , finnaly someone to report the levels , the bussy riders will be sad someone is spilling the beans on the level though ;D , I'm out till spring anyways , broke my leg at the skatepark :-\
Yeah..hence why im not posting levels on Boatwerks haha. Ill get shot! :D
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Any update? Is it still climbing?
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no update from the boys in the valley since yesterday! My guess is above +5... probably even +7.
Whats in as of Today (from Joel Kowalski):
Big Smoothie
Left side horseshoe
Phils Hole
Chopping Block
Butterfly
Lower Garvins
Waikiki
and Big Kahuna
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Sick. Wanna go for a run this weekend? I can do either day.
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Sorry man! Im gone Hunting for the next 3 weekend! Next time ill be in the water is Nov 18th if I still have my superstar.. if not...it might be another week till I get a new boat! :(
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I might be in for tomorrow Ryan.
Anybody else?
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Yes, me too!
Do we meet at the WT takeout Ryan?
At what time? 10?
Could we make it at 11 :D
Caroline
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11:00 at WT takeout tomorrow sounds like a great idea Caroline. It will give the air a chance to warm up a little bit.
Jack! Haven't seen you since Champlain was in.
Looking forward to the paddle, and looking forward to seeing how much the level came up!
R.
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Not sure yet if I can join.
However, this thread is the wrong place: the trip should have its own thread, not be under the gauge thread. That way, people might see it...
--C.
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Anyway, see you at 11 at the take-out!
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To bring this thread back on topic, the level on the OWL gauge was 5 today. Confirmed personally.
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Tnks dude! Did you run the middle or main?
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The level at Britannia is now above 58 m. Yesterday, I checked Sewer wave and it is just starting to form, no foam yet but I suspect longer boats could stay on.
Saturday, the level at the Owl gauge was 5, and we ran the middle, which provided plenty of excitement. Threading the needle at McKoy's was a difficult manoeuvre, and the rest was easy. At this level, Butterfly is an exciting surf, and Angel's kiss is the perfect learning wave.
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SOoooo... Sewer Wave saturday followed by the AGM!!!! AWESOME!!!!
Paul (owner of a longish boat... ;D)
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Thank you. This really helps.
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Sunday, I also checked Hog's Back. Well, I am quite sure that CUKC annual Hog's Back Huckfest didn't happen... The water is (IMHO) TOO LOW to be safe! The river bed is littered with strainers, rocks etc. that normally would be well under water, and because of that, the flow after the main drop is straight into a wall. Unfortunately I had no camera with me but I described it on the photo below.
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SOoooo... Sewer Wave saturday followed by the AGM!!!! AWESOME!!!!
Paul (owner of a longish boat... ;D)
That, or the Rouge. It's now around 93, with a -7/day trend which means that it should be around 65 on Saturday: a friendly-medium level (i.e. fewer rocks to avoid, but easy-ish still). Unless it rains a lot in the meantime.
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Sunday, I also checked Hog's Back. Well, I am quite sure that CUKC annual Hog's Back Huckfest didn't happen... The water is (IMHO) TOO LOW to be safe! The river bed is littered with strainers, rocks etc. that normally would be well under water, and because of that, the flow after the main drop is straight into a wall. Unfortunately I had no camera with me but I described it on the photo below.
I actualy was talking to brandon fasan last night and he was telling me it was at a good level, and he had just come back from running it.
he was trying to get me to go run it on saturday, saying there is going to be a large group there running it.
I don't know though I have never run it myself. You probably know better than me. :)
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That, or the Rouge. It's now around 93, with a -7/day trend which means that it should be around 65 on Saturday: a friendly-medium level (i.e. fewer rocks to avoid, but easy-ish still). Unless it rains a lot in the meantime.
Christian, is that a friendly beginner level?
Caroline
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Sunday, I also checked Hog's Back. Well, I am quite sure that CUKC annual Hog's Back Huckfest didn't happen... The water is (IMHO) TOO LOW to be safe! The river bed is littered with strainers, rocks etc. that normally would be well under water, and because of that, the flow after the main drop is straight into a wall. Unfortunately I had no camera with me but I described it on the photo below.
I actualy was talking to brandon fasan last night and he was telling me it was at a good level, and he had just come back from running it.
he was trying to get me to go run it on saturday, saying there is going to be a large group there running it.
I don't know though I have never run it myself. You probably know better than me. :)
Yup! Brandon ran it yesterday IIRC from Facebook!
Apparently its good to go now.
Id go run it if I had a proper boat..
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SOoooo... Sewer Wave saturday followed by the AGM!!!! AWESOME!!!!
Paul (owner of a longish boat... ;D)
That, or the Rouge. It's now around 93, with a -7/day trend which means that it should be around 65 on Saturday: a friendly-medium level (i.e. fewer rocks to avoid, but easy-ish still). Unless it rains a lot in the meantime.
Ill be in the petite nation area and would be keen on the rouge if I can borrow a large creekboat (ie: SuperHero or Villain L)
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Well, I'm not sure I would *always* follow Brandon's advice. But prehaps I misjudged the flow near the bottom, and that it does not crash into the wall. I only stood on the river-right bank anyway.
If it wasn't for that part which I haven't scouted properly, yes I would run it at this level. And many people did run it on Saturday, as John said. Oh well, I missed it, being on the Ottawa at that time.
For the Rouge 'Seven Sisters' section (the run MINUS the 5 waterfalls), 65 on the gauge should be a little easier than the canyon at the level that we ran it last week. Here's my take on the relationship between level and difficulty for the Seven Sisters section:
30: Maximum SANE level for the waterfalls, although some do it up to 40.
40: Pretty much the LOWEST level to have an enjoyable run. As Kelly found out, boulders have a tendency to sneak up on you. Elizabeth's Drop is easy, and despite Paul's opinion, the Washing Machine is fun (and you can sneak through the Drier instead). Below this level, it's like a maze, with rocks to avoid everywhere. The seal launch is high, but you land in slow moving water.
40-80: Many boulders are now submerged, the run is fun and people choose between the Washing Machine and the Drier.
80-100: Many beginners are not running it anymore. Elizabeth's Drop might flip you, and you don't go through the Washing machine (if you can avoid it). This summer, the Rouge Jamboree took place when the level was 85, and the turnout was lower as many less-experienced paddlers elected to stay home that weekend. Still, we ran the river three times in our playboats without (too much) problems.
120: It gets interesting. It's pushy from Slice'n'Dice to the Washer Machine, and the first and last rapids are fully Class III. Still fun in a playboat, but some consider bringing a larger boat.
160: Pretty much the highest I would do this run in a playboat. Large (8 feet) waves form above Slice'n'Dice, big holes need to be avoided and you don't want to go near the Washing Machine. The seal launch is low, but the current is strong there. Better to walk...
Above 160: go to the Canyon section.
Hope that helps!
--C.
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Sunday, I also checked Hog's Back. Well, I am quite sure that CUKC annual Hog's Back Huckfest didn't happen... The water is (IMHO) TOO LOW to be safe! The river bed is littered with strainers, rocks etc. that normally would be well under water, and because of that, the flow after the main drop is straight into a wall. Unfortunately I had no camera with me but I described it on the photo below.
I actualy was talking to brandon fasan last night and he was telling me it was at a good level, and he had just come back from running it.
he was trying to get me to go run it on saturday, saying there is going to be a large group there running it.
I don't know though I have never run it myself. You probably know better than me. :)
Yup! Brandon ran it yesterday IIRC from Facebook!
Apparently its good to go now.
Id go run it if I had a proper boat..
Ya, I actualy ended up returning the Solo, as I could just not get it comfortable, so I am lacking a proper boat right now as well.
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Hope that helps!
--C.
Hi Christian,
Yes, it helped... alot ;-) As it was a very thorough answer!
Thanks ;D
Caroline
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Hey guys! A buddy asked me about the Main at +6 and what it looked like. I remember Ryan Whetung made a video this winter/spring and the level was +6. Heres a visual! Colli looks BIG and AWESOME!. Im aiming to go on November 18th or 19th and will make a post as time approaches. Till then.. enjoy!
http://vimeo.com/27656420
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Looking to paddle main 12 and 13 Nov. Anybody interested?
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Looking to paddle main 12 and 13 Nov. Anybody interested?
Hi! This thread is (supposed to be anyway) about river LEVELS. To plan a trip, just start a new thread in the Paddling section. Cheers! --C.
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PS: the ottawa was at +2 yesterday.
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Yeah... Level at Britannia is also going down (hovering around 58). They have emptied the reservoirs for the winter, so we shouldn't expect much til the spring. So we might get Babyface and/or Garberator back before everything freezes! And let's keep an eye on Sewer Wave...
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Little update! Ottawa River @ Beachburg currently at +4 3/4
;D
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Dropped to +3.5 today! Right Side horseshoe and Cornerwave are stellar!
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3 as of yesterday.
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Think champlain might come in after all the rain?
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No, the basins where the Ottawa water comes from are waaayyy up north, and they have been emptied (so to speak) for the winter. But the Rouge did swell, the kids did it at 55 on Saturday and it's now up to 135, a much different river...
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If something comes in. it will be Sewer Wave. Most likely by the weekend!
So far.. My plans wither to hit some solo runs on the Petite Nation while im at my parents farm (yeah.. ill get some thumbs down for that..but I know the river quite well) or hit up the Rouge upper Canyon .. Some of the goods in the Laurentians are WAYY up so if that stays like this... I mgiht head there too! Theres also the Blanche in Thurso that is probably full right now!!
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8.5 Today fellaz
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If you're going to surf Sewer Wave let ne know and I'll take pictures.
Paul ;D
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Level is still +8.75 up in beachuburg!
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The level now is around 59 m at Britannia--the eddy is definitely in and the wave even bigger! Who's going tonight? --C.
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Paul and I are going to be there around 4:30.
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I'll be there tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.
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Should be there late afternoon today! The level is even higher today then yesterday! 59.1 m!
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LOTS of ice today at Champlain!
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JohnCyr - 4Fun is on the roof. If you start coughing now, you could probably make a convincing case for leaving early...
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Hahaha! Ill actually try real hard or skip lunch to leave early! :) ;D
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I'll be there today and tommorow.
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Too cold for me this week.
Ya I'm a wimp. ;D
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Ok... I have it from a good source that the Owl gauge was at 15 on Monday April 9 2012!
It's a good level to hit McKoy's without consequence, and the Middle Channel has a lot of surf spots.
--C.
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I'd be up to run the middle this Saturday, if that is what you have in mind Christian!
I can carpool!!
Caroline ;)
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Upper Pet saturday, its a good level, hardest part will be the walk in lol
A bunch of us are doing the middle, most likely, on sunday for those interested!
Might get Dragons tongue under my belt :D
jer
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Middle on Sunday sounds good to me. Where do we meet? Bate Island and then travel up?
John C. Still planning on running middle on sunday?
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We meet at 10:30
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Level of the Ottawa @ Beachburg was 11 3/4 as of Sunday AM but its been dropping by -1 each day for the past 4 days.
As for "in town" well gauge has been off since the 14th and it was 58.5 on a STEEP drop... so my guess is 58.1 ish
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Ottawa is between 9-10 today
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Wow! I've run the Middle channel near 20 on the Owl gauge in late april a couple times... So much for surfing Phil's hole this year! A couple pictures from April 25 2009, the gauge was around 20. McKoy's rapids is just two waves!
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+13 today!!
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+9.75 today! Lower No Name is MEATY! Vampire hole is Full on! :)
Anyone got bitten?
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Well... not by vampire :) We all managed to avoid it and went slightly right of it. A few sneaked by on the left hand side. I followed Jean-Nicolas along with Cindy middle and finished on the right of vampire. It was pretty awesome! Andrew had a spill on Little Trickle... the problem was that he lost his paddle. We didn't know he had let it go until about 5-8 min after he got out. We looked all over the river with no luck. Jean-Nicolas found an old rafter's paddle to help, but it wasn't great. Ah, adventures!
You'll be glad to hear that I'm doing pretty well (I think!). I ran everything except Garvin. I even managed to surf upper no name and stay on for quite a while. Merci Christian pour les tips!
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I ran everything except Garvin.
Great! And don't feel bad for not running Garvin's. Only ST chute is runnable if you know the line and Staircase at this level is still dangerous unless you have a creekboat and/or lots of skill. The highest I've done it in a playboat is 7 on the gauge, and that day Paul lost his knuckles (I believe you were there too).
A lost paddle in Little Trickle likely ended up in the bay below Butterfly, Andrew should post something on Boatwerks (www.boatwerks.net) about it...
--C.
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[Andrew should post something on Boatwerks (www.boatwerks.net) about it...
Never mind, J-N did it!
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I ran everything except Garvin.
Great! And don't feel bad for not running Garvin's. Only ST chute is runnable if you know the line and Staircase at this level is still dangerous unless you have a creekboat and/or lots of skill. The highest I've done it in a playboat is 7 on the gauge, and that day Paul lost his knuckles (I believe you were there too).
A lost paddle in Little Trickle likely ended up in the bay below Butterfly, Andrew should post something on Boatwerks (www.boatwerks.net) about it...
--C.
I wouldnt say Only ST Chute is runnable.. All the lines (ST Chute, Staircase, Dragons Tongue and Elevator shaft) go at this level...Some of them might require a wider range of skills and proper gear. You are right though that ST Chute might be the most straight forward and lower consequences at this level.
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Just a comment: The concept of 'runnable' has to be assessed based ont the skill level of the group of people present on a particular day, to the amount of safety equipment available to those who know how to use it, and to the availability of spare paddles and such. Play safe!
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Well... not by vampire :) We all managed to avoid it and went slightly right of it. A few sneaked by on the left hand side. I followed Jean-Nicolas along with Cindy middle and finished on the right of vampire.
I've scouted the sneak on river right of Vampire, but it's still WAY too close for my comfort level. I prefer the left-of-center line, because you can't see Vampire until it's too late to end up in it. I had run that rapid a dozen times and never even saw Vampire, before I finally got out of my boat on the right shore and actually looked at.
For better or for worse, I tend to end up where I'm looking, so not seeing Vampire is the winning strategy for me. Kudos to those taking the right sneak!
Graham used to do the sneak on the right side of Phil's too. I could not imagine being that close to right-side.
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We had Renaud on the lead with his Zoom for this line, an awesome one!
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Level is +13 As of Today!
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11.5 today. If the trend continues, Odyssey will show up this week. Who knows how long it will stick around? Weekday paddlers get out there!
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Confirmed, 11.5 today, though Phil's was pumping like it was much lower, and yet the rest of McKoys was washed out and the dam was almost fully open. Funny.
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May 12, level is at 9. I apparently met "Vampire" today... upside down.... went surprisingly well :)
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May 12, level is at 9. I apparently met "Vampire" today... upside down.... went surprisingly well :)
Funny!
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May 12, level is at 9. I apparently met "Vampire" today... upside down.... went surprisingly well :)
Trying the right sneak again? I warned you guys...
Glad it went ok. Cheryl took a big gouge out of her helmet on the left-of-center line last weekend at 11.5, so I would expect Vampire to be getting shallower.
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Ottawa at Level 5.5 today.
Fuzzy Bunny and S-Bend are in.
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Ottawa was at about 3 1/4 today.
not much going on.
I heard they are not going to keep the gate to the lorne open anymore.
Right side horseshoe was a nice glassy wave.
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And apparently it dropped over 3 feet in 2 days.
Yesterday it was at 1/8.
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Baby face was in and left side of horse shoe is fun with easy access.
Level @ 1/4
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Well, just got back from doing the Main on the Ottawa. I now know where NOT to go on horseshoe (McCoy's) :) No swimming yet... jinx.
Water level was at 0.75.
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Ottawa In Beachburg at 0.5 and in town at 57.85..Center wave at Champlain is in and Top waves at Deschenes are in... Real Nice Waves but deadly consequences. Swimming is NOT an option. and missing your eddy/ferry can yet you in trouble.
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"Top waves at Deschenes are in... Real Nice Waves but deadly consequences. Swimming is NOT an option. and missing your eddy/ferry can yet you in trouble."
Since I have never heard of said 'top waves', and since the area is dangerous above the ruins, can you point to a description/location of those waves? Are you talking about the waves on the 1st photo below? If so, I recommend everyone to stay well away from there unless you want to have your face in the obituary...
The level is still too high for the Lower JJ wave, I check a few days ago. Yesterday, river level was 3/8 on the Owl gauge. Babyface is still in and fun (bouncy--I got air!) but won't last much longer if level drops.
--C.
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This afternoon, Friday June 15, level was at +1/8
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Christian.. This isnt it.. Top waves are located in at the top of the island surfers left of Heavy D. Right where the currents starts making ripples... 2-3 waves similar to Sewer Wave. Super nice waves but you need to make your eddy or a HARD ferry to the shore near where the channel starts. Ill post pics this weekend.
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Nobody has posted here for almost two months, so I 'unstick' this topic. --C.