East Branch - Spanish River Canoe Route
The route may be started in two places, depending which branch of the river is to be run. The East Branch of the river commences at the north-east end of Duke Lake. This branch has less portages and is approximately 27 km shorter. The West Branch starts at Biscotasi Lake in the town of Biscotasing. Choosing this route, more white water is encountered, and with that, more portages. This is considered to be the more difficult route. The East Branch and West Branch join at The Forks.
EAST BRANCH ACCESS
EAST BRANCH:
Duke Lake is accessible from Highway 144, via a 1.6 km gravel road. The route may be divided into two parts. The first part consists of a series of 12 interconnected lakes that flow into the main channel. The second part consists of a river channel with a series of rapids and portages. These rapids range from easily navigable to difficult or almost impossible (Graveyard Rapids).
The first 28.5 km of the route consists of a series of lakes varying in length. The lakes are inter-connected with a series of channels of variable depths and current strength.
DUKE LAKE:
Distance - 6.3 km.
Distance Travelled - 6.3 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling, with some current in the channel to Tenth Lake.
TENTH LAKE:
Distance - 1.9 km.
Distance Travelled - 8.2 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling, with some current in the channel to Ninth Lake.
NINTH LAKE:
Distance - 3.0 km.
Distance Travelled - 11.2 km.
Degree of difficulty - Still water paddling, with some current in the channel to Eighth Lake.
EIGHTH LAKE:
Distance - 1.1 km.
Distance Travelled - 12.3 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling, some areas with faster moving water close to the narrows - runable.
SEVENTH LAKE:
Distance - 2.1 km.
Distance Travelled - 14.4 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling, some minor navigation required through the long narrows.
SIXTH LAKE:
Distance - 1.7 km.
Distance Travelled - 16.1 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling.
FIFTH LAKE:
Distance - 2.2 km.
Distance Travelled - 18.3 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling.
FOURTH LAKE:
Distance - 1.2 km.
Distance Travelled - 19.5 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling; with some current in the channel to Third Lake.
THIRD LAKE:
Distance - 1.8 km.
Distance Travelled - 21.3 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling, two areas with fast moving water in the channel to Second Lake.
SECOND LAKE:
Distance - 2.1 km.
Distance Travelled - 23.4 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling.
#1 Portage:
Length - 35 m.
Location - 10 m prior to the shallow rock garden, first examine the channel for possibility of lining the canoe over the shallows.
FIRST LAKE:
Distance - 3.4 km.
Distance Travelled - 26.8 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling.
SNAKE RIVER:
Distance Travelled - 24.9 km.
#2 Portage:
Length - 450 m.
Location - 30 m south of the Snake River going west against the river current to the head of the rapids and eventually to the West Branch of the Spanish River.
1st Rapids:
Between First and Expanse Lakes, there is a series of rapids and swift moving water approximately 1.6 km long. This system is navigable but caution should be exercised as some shallow water with hidden rocks may be encountered during low water periods.
#3 Portage:
Length - 2 km.
Location - There is an old road that begins at the south-west end of the Lake and ends below the rapids on Expanse Lake. This road is in poor condition as it is not maintained as a road or portage. It could be used but preference should be given to lining the canoe down the rapids.
EXPANSE LAKE:
Distance - .5 km.
Distance Travelled - 35.3 km.
Degree of difficulty - still water paddling (hope for a good wind and set sail).
THE FORKS:
Distance - 3.4 km.
Distance Travelled - 38.7 km.
Degree of difficulty - swift current with some shallow spots, all navigable.
#2 Rapids:
Length - 4.3 km.
Distance Travelled - E-43.0 km, W-70.0 km.
Degree of difficulty - up to the rapids the water is calm and deep. There are two shoots to pass through, their locations are marked on the map.
The Rapids - A set of three rapids, which could be run, but should be inspected. The first set is the most difficult of the three, especially during high water in the spring months. The last two sets are navigable.
#3 Portage:
Length - 220 m.
Location - 60 m prior to the rapids, on the right shore.
#3 Rapid:
Distance - 1.0 km.
Distance Travelled - E-44.0 km, W-71.0 km.
Degree of difficulty - These rapids are approximately 150 m in length, and navigable.
#4 Portage:
Length - 200 m.
Location - 15 m prior to the rapids, on the right shore.
SHEAHAN RAILWAY BRIDGE:
Distance - 7.5 km.
Distance Travelled - E-51.5 km, W-78.5 km.
Degree of difficulty - The river is calm and slow flowing through this part. There are a couple of swift water locations to go through these are marked on the map. Under the railway bridge there are two passes. The one on the right has lots of water going through with a small shoot on the other side. This is runable and at this point breaks the monotony of paddling. The one on the left is a shallow pass and may require a pull over or lift over during low water season.
POGAMASING LAKE:
Distance - 5.7 km.
Distance Travelled - E-57.2 km, W-95.9 km.
Degree of difficulty - This is a short rapid caused by the constriction of the channel between two bedrock faces.
In the middle of this part of the route, shortly after Pogamasing Lake, there is a stretch of approximately 5 km of shallow swift moving waters. Some care should be taken to examine the channel for the deepest currents, especially during low water periods.
MOGO RIVER:
Distance - 6.0 km.
Distance Travelled - E-74.9 km, W-95.9 km.
Degree of difficulty - The water becomes almost still through this area. There is a small shoot to run just after the Mogo River enters the Spanish River channel. The passage may get tricky during the spring melt as the two strong currents meet.
SPANISH LAKE:
Distance - 4.6 km.
Distance Travelled - E-79.5 km, W-106.5 km.
Degree of difficulty - Shoots are well navigable and marked on the map. The rest of the water is slow moving.
#5 Rapids:
Distance - 2.0 km.
Distance Travelled - E-81.5 km, W-108.5 km.
Degree of difficulty - These rapids are navigable.
#5 Portage:
Distance - 230 m.
Location - 20 m prior to the rapids on the right hand side of the channel.
THE ELBOW:
Distance - 8.6 km.
Distance Travelled - E-90.1 km, W-117.1 km.
Degree of difficulty - a series of swift waters which are navigable and marked on the map. This stretch is fairly shallow and attention should be paid to hidden rocks and shoals.
THE GRAVEYARD RAPIDS:
Distance - 3.0 km.
Distance Travelled - E-93.1 km, W-120.1 km.
Degree of difficulty - This series of rapids can be run but with detailed inspection only. Some are dangerous and should only be considered by experienced canoeists. Water levels determine whether or not rapids may be run.
The following is the breakdown of reference points
93.5 km Either run the first rapid or portage on the right.
94.0 km Portage 150 m on the right (the two portages may be combined for a total length of 500 m).
94.2 km Run the small shoot on the right or line down on the right over the boulder shallows, or portage on the left.
94.6 km Portage 150 m on the left around the small falls. 95.0 km Lift over or line down on the right.
96.7 km Portage 400 m on the left, or line down on the left. May be run in high water through the right channel. More water appears to flow through that channel.
97.3 km Run in high water, or line down over the boulder shallows.
97.7 km Run the small shoot on the right to what used to be a lumber camp at the base.
CEDAR RAPIDS:
Distance - 4.0 km.
Distance Travelled - E-101.7 km, W 128.7 km.
Degree of difficulty - These rapids could be comparable in difficulty to Graveyard Rapids in periods of high water and should be properly inspected.
WAKONASSIN RIVER:
Distance - 22.4 km.
Distance Travelled - E-124.1 km, W-151.1 km.
Degree of difficulty - After the Cedar Rapids the channel widens and the water becomes fairly shallow, especially during low water periods in late summer. The occasional rock is hidden just below the water surface so attention should be paid to navigating.
AGNEW LAKE:
Distance 17.2 km.
Distance Travelled - E-141.3 km, W-168.3 km.
Degree of difficulty - The water starts to slow down. The lake begins approximately 10 km below the Wakonassin River.
