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Introduction
This is your guide to a paddling route on the Gananoque River portion of the Thousand Islands watershed. There are three sections to this route. Section 1 is the stretch of river from the town of Gananoque on the St. Lawrence to the dam at Marble Rock. The 2nd section extends from above the dam at Marble Rock to the village of Lyndhurst at Lyndhurst Lake. The 3rd section covers the waterway of Lyndhurst Creek above the dam at Lyndhurst, through Lower Beverly Lake to the community of Delta, between Upper and Lower Beverly Lakes.
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The Gananoque River is part of the Thousand Islands Watershed
The Thousand Islands watershed is where lakes, rivers and streams flow from the rugged granite landscape of the Frontenac Arch into the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands. This paddle route explores a marvelously scenic region of the Gananoque River, and the lakes and streams that extend its watercourse. The route winds through the heart of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
The Gananoque River portion of the Thousand Islands watershed, along with the routes through the Islands themselves, are the first of several paddle routes that will be developed for this region. In the future, additions will be made to assist exploration of Charleston Lake and Wiltse Creek, Morton Creek to the Cataraqui River, and connections to Frontenac Provincial Park and area waterways. As well, portages that separate sections along the Gananoque River itself will hopefully be further developed and described.
A Rich Ecology The Gananoque River Water-trail guide will introduce you to the unique ecology of the area, the rich history, features of fascination and area businesses that will make the journey all the more pleasant. Follow the links that will appear in the text to learn more. |
About the River The Gananoque River is by no means a large river, in length or volume of flow. It is just an approximate 28 km. long on the portion that carries its name, from the south end of Red Horse Lake to where it empties into the St. Lawrence River. Measuring from its headwaters, in small streams to the northwest of Upper Beverley Lake, north of the town of Athens, the waterway meanders about 70 km in total. Even so, it has a most interesting history.
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Overview - Gananoque to Delta This guide follows the route from south to north. While at first glance, this seems to go against the flow, the current speed is overall quite slow. However, in going south to north, for the most part the wind will be at your back. The prevailing wind of the region is from the southwest, and on many afternoons can be brisk. Therefore, the upriver passage actually tends to be the path of least resistance. |
Route One - Gananoque to Marble Rock The southernmost section of the Gananoque River is below the dam at Marble Rock. The river empties into the St. Lawrence River in the town of Gananoque. The distance from the St. Lawrence to Marble Rock dam is a little more than 11 kilometres.
IMPORTANT: The east side of the River at Marble Rock is private property. Do Not Trespass.
At present, there is no sanctioned portage between Route One and Route Two. Portaging around the dam on the west side of the river is at your own risk.
A trip from Gananoque to Marble Rock will take four to five hours. The trip is worth beginning at the St. Lawrence itself, but would involve one necessary portage just a short distance above the St. Lawrence, at series of falls and a dam. At present, however, while there is a public walkway over most of the length of the portage around the falls, the actual access point on the lower section of the river has not been finalized.
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Route Two - Marble Rock to Lyndhurst The Marble Rock to Lyndhurst section of the Gananoque waterway paddle route is the longest. The description of this section of the river runs upstream. The current is not swift, and most often not even noticeable, but the prevailing southwesterly wind would generally be at your back on the upstream journey.
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Route Three - Lyndhurst to Delta The village of Lyndhurst is a good place to find provisions, lunch, treats or perhaps accommodation. Blair Cottage B&B on Jonas Street, parallel to Ford Street, would cater to paddlers. |
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