Black River, Ontario

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The Black River is a spring paddling river near Peterborough, Ontario. It’s part of the Highway 7 group of rivers and creeks.

Upper Black

Flows:
Low: 12.4 (Related to Environment Canada Real Time Gauge)
High: 12.9
Max: None
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Length:
12 KM; approximately 4 to 5 hours of paddling, including some time for scouting

Difficulty:
Intermediate to Advanced; Class III/IV with two Class IV Drops

Description:

The Upper Black is another rustic Hwy #7 run that is popular with spring time kayakers and open boaters alike. Much like the Beaver, Upper Black has Class III Canyon runs, and two Class IV drops all separated by lesser rapids and flat water. Some of the canyon runs are longer and hard to scout, so some eddy hopping and boat scouting skills are required. During the first part of the run, the rapids come fairly quickly; after the second drop they are more spaced out. The run ends with a small drop over the Old Mill Dam in Queensborough. Be sure to bring a couple of dollars along for the local ladies who provide coffee/hot chocolate and homemade baked goods at the take-out. Although most of the rapids are named, most people only agree or know the 3 drops: Bare Bottom Beach Falls (3 "B" Falls), Particle Accelerator and Mill Drop.

The Rapids

First Rapid:

The first rapid is just down stream of the put-in. One of the canyon runs, and the rapid can be viewed if you take the short walk down the trail on the East side of the river at the put-in. It is probably a class II or low III, it's basically run centre at the start, and work your way river left on the way down. At the bottom there has been a small strainer on river right in the past. It is not much danger, just be aware it's there.

Bare Bottom Beach (3 "B") Falls:

Bare Bottom Beach (or 3 "B") Falls is the first large drop on the Upper Black. Take-out and scout on either side of the river, although the house on river right is most popular and the best view. The land is private, and the owner has portage signs up. Please stick to the route posted. The line is river left, with a small bump & grind to deal with on the approach at lower water levels. In higher conditions, there is a strong recycle on river left at the bottom of the drop. The water tends to shoot you to the centre of the river, so for the most part, it is easily avoided. After 3-B falls the river has a couple of significant rapids, some of which are long and narrow. Be aware of lumber in these sections, and the chance of a swim could be long and cold. There are approx 6 to 8 class III rapids after 3-B falls.

Particle Accelerator:

Mostly a point and shoot, Particle Accelerator is encountered about half-way down the run. There is a take-out and scout on river right. Particle Accelerator is an approximately 50 foot rock slide, with very little consequences. There is a rock in the centre of the river, about 50 yards downstream of the drop. There can be a hole on river left, so err to the right on the way down. After Partical Accelerator, there is at least one significant canyon run with a dog’s leg corner from right to left, 1/4 of the way down. Expect a quick turn, and a large hole. Be aware that the water does not push you towards river left.

Rapid Name Unknown:

This rapid occurs above Particle Accelerator. The rapid is easily boat scouted from the top. On the way down, aim for the large rock, boat angled to river right, and punch the hole at the bottom. The hole is a little sticky, so be prepared for a flip and keep paddling.

Mill Drop:

Mill Drop is the last rapid on the Upper Black. Line the dam up about 50 feet left of the Mill Building. Don't start paddling hard too soon, as you will run out of steam before the dam. At lower levels you will bottom out on the dam, and pencil into the shallow rapid below. Boof off of the dam at 45 degrees if possible or take-out on river right. Avoid the drop and enjoy the home baked goodies.

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Lower Black

Difficulty: Class III/IV

Description:

This section of river is a little shorter then the Upper part of the river and the whole river could be done in a day if an early start was made. The put in for the Lower Black is in Queensborough, the same as the take out for the Upper Black.

The first stretch of this river is small current and flat water paddling. But once you get to the first rapid, the river picks up and is comparable to the Upper Black. The first significant rapid is a narrow series of chutes that are boat-scoutable. You will know when you are at this rapid, as there is a farm house on river right.

The next significant rapid is a medium sized falls. A small hunting cabin is on river left, and it is easiest to scout and walk this rapid from river right. The last major rapid on this section is a long canyon run that at higher levels can have some meaty holes in it. Scouting options are not great with this rapid, but it has been scouted and walked on river right.

There are several other smaller class II/III rapids along this river dividing up the bigger drops.

The take out is Hwy #7.

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More on the Black

Don’t forget about the Class V drop south of Hwy #7. Often overlooked, there is a significant drop a short paddle past Hwy #7. Scout on river right, as river left is a high rock wall that most of the water is pushing into. There is not a known take past this point to park your car. But a quick shuttle can be run at the end of the day.

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Other area activities:

The Black is one of the rivers included in Mackfest.

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This entry needs more detail on:

• directions, please!
• nearby accommodation
• where to find water levels
  
• what those water levels mean to this river
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