Madawaska River Levels

Historic Gauges
2013
2012
2011

Dirk, Claudia, Stefani and Katrina Van Wijk

MKC offers whitewater Kayak & Open Canoe instruction, all summer long - Weekend and 5-Day courses, and runs 2-hour Family Rafting excursions here on the 5km section of the Madawaska River. Or join us on the legendary Ottawa River with OWL Rafting, our sister company..... for a 1-Day or 2-Day whitewater rafting excursion - High Adventure & Family Rafting. We want to make your experience a memorable one.

Madawaska River Levels:

River Level
Descriptions

Pre 2011
River Levels

The Madawaska River, from a paddling point of view is divided into three sections:

Upper Madawaska - the section between Algonquin Park (Whitney) to the town of Madawaska (Bark Lake)
Middle Madawaska - the section infront of MKC, between Bark Lake and Lake Kamaniskeg (there is an MNR minimum flow requirement of 3 cms)As of July 8th, the water releases are Mon - Thurs. from 9am - 3:30pm only.
Lower Madawaska - this is both Palmer Rapids and the section from Aumonds Bay to Griffith, as the Palmer Dam feeds this whole section. (the minimum MNR flow requirement is 10 cms)

Level	Comment
> 120	very high water
60 - 120	good paddling level
25 - 60	medium/low levels
< 25	low, too little water to paddle

Level	Palmer	Snake Rapids
> 250	washed out	huge - be careful, water runs through the trees
120 - 250	pushy, with boily eddy lines	high
80 - 120	high, three chutes at Jessups	great, forgiving and perfect for Haas' hole
40 - 80	good	medium, very enjoyable paddling
25 - 40	good	low, but still a good run
10 - 25	low	very low, rocky

Level	Comment
> 50	huge, with some keepers
25 - 50	high
25.6	regular MKC release level -great!
15 - 25	low, but navigable
< 15	too low to paddle

Middle Madawaska River Levels:

Upper Madawaska River Levels:

Lower Madawaska River Levels:

“Hide” River
Level Description