Creeking on the Humber River

Between Bolton and Weston, where rains brought by Hurricane Hazel washed away 14 homes in October 1954, the Humber River is now carefully flood controlled by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Though this stretch is open and accessible, the two dam projects along its length have successfully reduced the river to mainly a fast flowing stream. Passage requires the highest water levels, but this means several hours of nearly uninterrupted swifts and rock gardens with no actual classified rapids. There are a couple of short portages around the old mill dam, cataract, and diversion project in the original Bolton village. After this there are no other man made obstacles for the duration, and it is 27 kilometres to Kleinburg. Previously this has taken 6 hours, however last year was appropriately described as 'canoe obstacle course' due to the many sweepers, and took 8 hours including an hour on shore for lunch. The GPS track looks like a set of mountain switchbacks, so this will be a great opportunity to practice your turns. I am encouraging everyone to have a saw handy, but hopefully that big flood event in the third week of February washed away a lot, much like the Upper Credit last weekend, where the smaller branches remained at least 2 feet above the water line. Sorry about the late notice. Water levels appear very good for Sunday. The forecast is sunny and a high of 8C. Here is the gauge; station 02HC025