Red Willow II+ III

Gauge

Gauge is located approx. 20 km upstream club preferred paddling site. Gauge levels fluctuate considerably when rainfall accumulates.

• 180 m3/s very very high, in flood, lots of debris and log jams, class 3
• 130 m3/s very high, huge holes, large standing waves, lots of debris and logs jams, class 3
• 28 m3/s medium low,
• 16 m3/s low, still fun, class 2
• 8 m3/s very very low, lots of rock dodging but do not have to get out of boat, class 2
• less than 8 m3/s the lower end of navigabilty has not yet been determined

Access

Access to the put in and take out for the best section of the Red Willow crosses over private property and lease lands. Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers have good relations with the owners of the put in and take out sites. We as a club wish to maintain the privilage of these access sites, so for club members, please respect the land and landowners.

For those interested in running the Red Willow, we recommend that you contact our existing club members to show where the take out and put in are for this section of the Red Willow.

Overview

For a quick after work run, the Red Willow is good bang for your buck. This 5 km section of river seems longer than it actually is, especially when it continually bends back and forth through it's deep clay canyon. The whitewater is worth the walk down, and the hellish walk out of the canyon. This river is a great novice / intermediate river run in levels below 20 cms, at levels higher than 20 intermediates will have a blast of a time on the surf waves and in the lower play hole. Experts can crank off a few cartwheels in the friendly holes which form up at 10 cms to 30 cms. Overall, a fun enjoyable river challenging enough for intermediates looking for a local "watering hole".

Red Willow Highlights

• Impressive clay / shale canyon
• 30 minute drive from Grande Prairie
• Good novice / intermediate river reading run
• Nice surf waves and a small play hole