CHURCHILL/STURGEON-WEIR RIVERS

Note: There is about a 2.6 km / 1.6 mi stretch of river missing between the bottom of No. 8-A and the top of No. 8-B. Only significant feature is an island in the middle of the river about 2/3 way down the stretch. 1:250,000 Series: 63M Pelican Narrows, 63L Amisk Lake
1:50,000 Series: 63M/2 Pelican Narrows, 63L/15 Birch Rapids

NOTES

from

Marchildon
&
Robinson
unless otherwise noted

Dog Rapid

Class 3 rapid with a 2 ft. vertical drop
Dog Portage, 40 m / 44 yd. Located about 70 m (77 yd) upstream. Has rollers.
At adequate water levels, there is a small creek parallel to portage that Sigurd Olson, et. al., snuck their canoes through.

Sturgeon-weir from Dog to Birch Rapids. Alexander Mackenzie described it as "The Lake de Bouleau [Birch] then follows. This lake might with greater propriety, be denominatd a canal, as it is not more than a mile in breath."

Old Settlement at Little Birch Lake. There was an old settlement on both sides of the river where the Sturgeon-weir enters little Birch Lake (63L 523844). It was home to eight to ten families in the 1930's. There is a good campsite on river right.

Birch Rapids 375 m / 410 yd

Class 3+ rapids. Locals are not aware of anyone who had successfully run them. Located on WEST side of peninsula.
Trail head located about 600 m (1/3 mi) south of channel to rapids on the EAST side of the peninsula
Portage is in excellent shape. Grassy slope at start, one mud hole in middle and a "very good mud landing".

Provincial campground located near Highway 106 bridge.

THE TRIP

Today was a leisurely day--on the water quarter to eight, paddle 15.9 miles and off the water by quarter after three. The route was "more river" and "less lakes". Dog Portage was a pull-over on rollers while Birch Rapids Portage was of the traditional unload and carry variety. There was a couple of small down trees that needed to be cleared for easy passage. Otherwise, it was a super highway with a "bump" in the middle. A cart at the trail head was put to good use for small pieces of gear.

We camped at the Leaf Rapids Provincial Campground on Maligne Lake. The Bourgeois had arranged for a catered dinner from Rocy View--fried chicken, potato salad and more...mighty nice! The campground was across from the Pawistik Lodge and the crew took advantage of the general store (ICE CREAM...CHEETOS...SODA) and showers. The owner, Tom, made his workshop available to Ryan, Sharon and Bill B. to work on the paddle for Wayne and Angie. Indeed, it was a good day.

People

Paddling

Portaging

Projects

Aug. 11 (previous day), Aug. 13 (next day)