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.

Latest News

November, 2007 

Davies Charitable Foundation donates $3000 to an Implementation Study

FAPA profoundly thanks the Davies Charitable Foundation for donating $3,000 towards the Implementation Study. Two bids have been received and FAPA is hopeful that the necessary additional funding will be in place to enable this study to commence in early 2008 so that some of the portage work can be done this summer.

June, 2007 

Dr. James Raffan presented the Feasibility Study to several interested people along with eight council members of the Towns of Gananoque, and the Townships of Leeds and the Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. It was received with enthusiasm and the wonder that it should have been done long ago.

December, 2006

Community Foundation of Greater Kingston gives grant to Frontenac Arch Paddling Association

The Frontenac Arch Paddling Association (FAPA) would like to extend its sincere thanks to the Community Foundation of Greater Kingston for the generous grant of $4,240 which will be used towards a feasibility study to help answer some of the outstanding questions involved in establishing the Frontenac Arch Paddling Trail which will eventually link the St. Lawrence River to the Rideau Canal system. The noted paddling enthusiast and author, Dr. James Raffan of Seeley’s Bay, has agreed to work on this study commencing in January, 2007.

FAPA also appreciates the support and donations from the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, the Leeds County Stewardship Council, the Rotary Club of Gananoque and the Gananoque River Waterways Association. The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands is also involved in sponsoring this project.

 

Thousand Islands

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.

 

Overview - Gananoque to DeltaThis 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, and with the portage, possibly four to five hours on the water. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

  

 
The Frontenac Arch Paddling Association is grateful to the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve for the work done to implement this website and to continue to support it.

© Frontenac Arch Paddling Association 2006