Romaine-1 Construction at the Grand Chute

Hydro Quebec Strategic Plan 2009-2013

Here are some excerpts from Hydro Quebec's Strategic Plan 2009-2013 concerning rivers along the North Coast.

-The Romaine Complex will enable Hydro Québec Production to increase its exports to markets outside Québec.

-One of these projects is located on the Petit Mécatina, some 250 km east of the Romaine. The company has already carried out the preliminary studies and some field surveys. Draft-design studies are set to begin in 2009.  These will allow us to determine the final configuration, features and cost of the facilities, and carefully assess their environmental impacts.  The working hypothesis calls for two generating stations (Petit-Mécatina-3 and Petit-Mécatina-4) with a total capacity of 1,200 MW. 

-Other projects totaling more than 1,750MW round out this first group.  They include Tabaret generating station, which is planned near Kipawa dam in the Témiscamingue region, and another project to be built on the Magpie; both of these have yet to undergo a detailed environmental assessment. The addition of a third generating unit at Sainte-Marguerite-3 is also being considered, along with refits that would yield capacity gains at Manic-2 (commissioning: 2013 to 2016) and Manic-3 (commissioning: after 2015).

-NORTHERN PLAN

3,500 MW BY 2035 

3,000 MW of hydropower 

300 MW of wind power 

200 MW of emerging renewables

-Hydro-Québec Production has been present on wholesale markets in the Northeast since 1999, and now wants to extend its sales activities to the U.S. Midwest.  

This Is The Place, Now Is The Time

Paddlers wanting to experience this amazing place don't have very much time left.

This photo taken just upstream of La Grande Chute. You can see more photos on the Hydro-Quebec website. www.hydroquebec.com/romaine/travaux/routes.html

Info For Running The Romaine River

Special Note: Boreal River is offering raft trips on the Romaine in August 2009. Visit their website for information on this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Romaine before it is dammed. www.borealriver.com

*To see the trip report with lots of pictures please continue scrolling down the page.*

Romaine River:
Length: 130 miles

Difficulty: Whitewater is mostly class IV+- V with some spicey class V+ (if you're feeling up to it) @ 200cms. Lots of class III-IV boogie water and even more sections of moving current and flatwater. Portaging is done with moderate effort on all rapids.

Flow: according to http://www.myosis.ca/ 70cms-low, 110cms-med, 250-high, 400-too high
link to gauge: http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/Suivihydro/graphique.asp?NoStation=073801

Remember the river is mostly done as a canoe trip with portages. It can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make it. One thing is for sure, regardless of the whitewater the Romaine is one of those classic "Trippin' Rivers". Floating through the Romaine Valley is an experience you will never forget. Around 200cms seemed to be a nice medium flow for the river. Difficulty would increase with more water obviously. Perhaps 300cms would be an interesting flow for adventerous groups to try. The first and second canyons had 4-5 scouts. Options exist on all the rapids from portaging to running the meat. Recommend kayakers put-in just above first canyon near 51.23' N 63.35' W. Then its a nice six day trip to the bridge at highway 138. Trying to camp at Fowlersville on Acid is highly recommended. If you go all the way to the ocean there is a hostel for a room and showers. Havre Saint Pierre has grocery stores and good eats like La Promenade on the street next to the water, and of course some excellent Casse Croute's to satisfy that poutine appetite.

Flight Info: Labrador Air Safari in Havre Saint Pierre ph: 418-538-3866 Fax: 418-538-3805
Located a couple kilometer's east of HSP exits on 138.

If you want the .kmz file for Google Earth with rapid names and waypoints for the hike out option, etc, etc. e-mail me at fredcoriell@gmail.com Thanks to Boyce for putting it together.

Useful Beta For Running The Petit Mecatina

For these rivers the best time of year to go is late August/early September. No bugs, good water levels, and lots of blueberries.

Petit Mecatina River:
Length: ~100 miles, plus 20 miles on the ocean
Difficulty: V(V+) and lots of flatwater. I remember only a few other portages besides the stuff in the canyon.
Flow: 200-350 cms @ "The Split" gauge
link to gauge- http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/suivihydro/default.asp you will have to navigate a bit to find it. Click 07-Saint-Laurent nord-est and then the second red dot from the right.

The canyon is the crux. It is possible to portage on river left, but skilled rope work and time are the issue. This was done on the late 80's descent. The (V+) describes the ferry for life move in the canyon. Waterlevel could make or break this section, it is very committing and highly consequential.


Alternatively, it is possible to land downstream of the canyon in the first big flat water section near Iles de William (51.14' N, 59.42' W). This misses some of the more difficult whitewater on the upper river, but still makes the run great IV-V with no unportageable rapids, and one could spend a whole afternoon surfing at Rapid de Pahtapistnakan which would also be a great camping spot.

The skinny about "The Split". If you go left try and hook up a boat ride to Harrington Harbour. This way puts you more in the middle of nowhere, but closer to Harrington Harbour. If you go right you end up at Chevery, a small fishing town and can pay someone to give you a ride out to Harrington Harbour. You are farther from Harrington Harbour, but I don't know of any kayakers that have gone this way so perhaps some good whitewater and definitely a fifty footer into the ocean. The canoe trip in 2003 went this way.

-stole this off Google Earth, Netagamiou Falls near Chevery

Ferry Information: Relais-Nordik operates the ferry from Natashquan-Blanc Sablon. On Saturday it docks in Harrington Harbour on the way back to Natashquan. Reservations are required and they will give you the number for Harrington Harbour. Larry Ransom is the wharf manager and a good contact for boat rides out of the Mecatina. Relais-Nordik phone numbers are 418-723-8787 or 418-692-5000 or Toll-free 1-800-463-0680. In 2007 the ferry cost about $70 CAN per person with kayaks

Flight Information: Labrador Air Safari operates the only float plane in Natashquan. 418-538-3866


Magpie River: See Alden Bird's new guidebook for a great write-up on this river. There are a bunch of pictures at the bottom of this blog too.- http://neguidebook.com/

flight info: Labrador Air Safari in Sept-Iles: 1-888-463-9511 or (418)-548-9511

Romaine River

We made it back after a great couple weeks in Quebec. The Romaine was remarkable. We had great water levels, blue skies, and good times. Five days, 100 miles of river, and 2 miles of bogging. We were surpirsed by how runnable the river was. Some of the group only made three portages. Others a few more, but not once did we have to leave the riverbed and charge throught the forest. I am going to say this once, and I'm sure Boyce and Greg would agree, because it could become a point of contention. The Romaine has the best, most runnable, whitewater of the rivers on the North Coast. Better than the Petit Mecatina, and better than the Magpie. The scenery is spectacular as well. Can you say one place is more beautiful than another right next to it. Perhaps. Rolling granite hills, cliffs, waterfalls, gorges, huge ledge drops into enourmous pools with shagri-la sand bars. It is sad that this river will be changed from its natural state. According to the Romaine Complex pdf most photos taken of the river below will be flooded with the exception of a flatwater section between Basin Des Murailles and the upstream side of the Romaine 1 Generating Facility. The price of progress I guess. Enjoy the photos and stay tuned for more information of the Romaine Project and other updates on whitewater kayaking on the North Coast. It is a special place. At least we can preserve it in our memories.

We flew in late in the day and were treated to some twighlight TV

Not too shabby of a sunset

The first morning we awoke to a dew-full sunrise.

As the sun warmed the air we were treated to a misty show.

We pushed off down the Romaine. The first 10 miles contained many easy rapids. A nice warm-up. This section will be flooded after construction of Romaine 4.

It sure would be nice to have access to this gage. There are four Hydro-Quebec gages along the river. All at ideal dam sites. We assume they indicate general placement of each dam. This is confirmed by looking at the Romaine Project pdf.

After lunch we entered the first canyon. It contained some great whitewater. This section of whitewater will be flooded by Romaine 3 Generating Facility.

The first rapid had a nice lead-in slide

Then some big waves in the runout

Looking back upstream at the first rapid

The next rapid was one of the longer more complex ones. Most of us scouted on the left and ran a side channel most of the way. Toby scouted right and found a line down the main flow.

The bottom of the rapid had a tricky ferry move back into the main current.

Boyce navigating the ferry.

Grace paddling out the bottom of one of the first day's rapids
Greg doing the same
Amidst the Romaine's whitewater

Toby scouting the Micrometer of Doom. He ran center.

The rest of us boofed off the nice spout on river right.

There was a lot of rapids in this style. To tempt the main current or relent to the side channels? It was a common theme.

At camp that night Boyce shows off the Jet Boil. Notice in background John and Boomer getting ready to use a more primitive method of cooking. It is called Burning Stick.

A great sunset at for the second night on the river.

We awoke and paddled around the corner to find an impressive falls.

The hole at the bottome was huge. It looked like Fowlersville Falls on the Moose River, but on steroids.

The far right channel had a fast and dynamic line.

Jake in middle of it all. There was also an easy slide in the middle of the river.

Greg found some cool minerals in the bedrock

There was a long strectch of flatwater after Fowlersville on Acid.

The scenery was incredible.

We lunched above the next big rapid. The reservoir behind Romaine 2 Generating Facility will flood this section of whitewater. Toby is running the Levitator Line. The first part of the long rapid.

Willy boofing the second part of the rapid. Then a nice set of crashers to the bottom.

Looking upstream at the boof

The view from below the rapid.

The first drop of Double Mister. Two misting horizon lines. We couldn't believe both were runnable. Below is the first drop. The line was at the top of the photo on river left.
Boomer and Toby getting in above the second drop of Double Mister.

A nice lead in boof.

Then down the slide.

At the bottom of a watery ramp you wanted to stay left.

The sun was setting behind the canyon walls as we paddled the last few rapids of the day.

It was classic Romaine whitewater
The last rapid came to at the end of the day was also the first portage. We camped on the rocks and scouted it for hours. That night was an incredible display of northern lights.

Mr. Toad was checking us out.

Nice camping on the rocks. Notice the burning stick technique at work.

A few tough guys about to portage

There was a line, but it was difficult. The consequences outweighting the risk of a run.

Most of the third day was moving current. We paddled 38 miles on the Romaine this day. A long straight away above the third canyon held a few easy rapids.

Boomer a few miles above camp psyched on the granite walls we passed all day long

And again a colorful sunset.

Day 4. The third canyon. Anticipation was high since this was going to be the biggest whitewater we had seen thus far. Of course there was a gauge at the top of the rapids.

The Spike Rapid was run in its entirety by Boomer and Toby. Not without a couple of good beat downs though.

Boomer ready to get swallowed by the curler.

Toby about the throw some high speed cartwheels.

The next series was impressive. John firing up Freebird down the middle.

Toby flying off the falls.

Willy running the right side of Hawaii 5-0. Toby and Boomer ran the middle riding the curling wave through a big crasher.

Around the next corner we saw the first signs of constrcution activity on the river. We had seen a helicopter the past couple hours and wondered what it was doing. These guys are doing seismic work in the river. They had just set off the charges as we came around the corner.

A-Star in the woods

The last rapid in the third canyon is called Les Murailles. It is an incredible piece of whitewater. We snuck into it and portaged down the right. There was a line the whole way and it ended in a lake. The Romaine 2 Generating station will divert water from this section of river.

Someone tossed out Land of Giants to describe the whitewater. Many perfectly shaped large holes one after the other.

Boomer decided to try the bottom part of the rapid.

The only way through the hole at the bottom was...... Fortunately it landed in a lake and it was easy to pick up the pieces.

We ate lunch at the bottom of Les Murailles.

As we ate helicopters were long-lining loads over our heads.

That afternoon we paddled another section of calm water.

This awesome boof was 100 meters above our last night camp spot on the river. Clouds were encroaching. It was going to rain soon.

There was an little alcove to camp in. Rock benches and crazy potholes abounded. Tarp City kept some of us dry that night

Jake bouldering in the alcove

The next morning we ran the lead-in rapids to La Grande Chute. According to the Romaine Complex map this whole series will be flooded by the Romaine 1 Generating Station

This rapid had a tight left to right move to avoid a serious beat downIt was fun wide open ledges. Pick your down and hope there wasn't any big holes.
Then came La Grande Chute. Not really runnable, but very impressive. Romaine 1 Generating Station will built near this falls.

The portage was really slow. There were so many blueberries we barely made it back to the river.

Toby walking down the stone stairway back to the river. The portage was easy.

Greg and Boyce posing in La Grande Chute

John paddling away from the fallsThat afternoon we paddled another 10 miles of flatwater. Notice the Werner glamour shot. Great paddles for a great river.

Then we got the crazy idea to try and bushwhack to the road. 2 miles of solid bogging using the tractor pull method.

Finally Highway 138Willy's expression sums it up. Beautiful River, beautiful trip, would go back in a heartbeat.

Romaine-2

According to HQ's timeline of constuction Romaine-2 will be built first. This dam will markedly reduce the flow in the third canyon diverting water through a 6km long tunnel for power generation that will rejoin the river at Bassin de Murailles. The map below can be seen full sized here-

http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/La%20Romaine/documents/PR3.1/PR3.1_Planche%2011-1.pdf

Island at PK 92 just upstream of Romaine-2.
Looking downstream towards the future site of Romaine-2. The Spike (Certain Doom) located at PK 89 just downstream of the dam.
Looking downstream from above the Hawaii 5-0 rapid. It is located just above PK 87. The flow here is around 200cms on the CEHQ gage.
Looking upstream from PK 87. One of the many incredible places on the river.

At the top of Les Murailles. The large pool downstream is where the generating station will be and where the 6km diversion will rejoin the river. This is at PK 84.

Standing at PK 84 looking upstream at Les Murailles.

Maybe with less water this rapid will have a more convincing line?

The bottom of Les Murailles. A couple of large holes, a road to nowhere. The diversion tunnel and associated powerhouse will be constructed where the beach is on river right.

Riviere du Petit Mecatina

Special Note- This story appeared in Canoe and Kayak Whitewater 2008 pages 40-43 Below is the original unedited version (somewhat different than in the magazine). I feel it is necessary to get this information out there and that is why it is reprinted here. Sorry if I inconvenience anyone, but this is an important issue. Anyone interested in paddling the Mecatina should and take lots of photos and video. It too may not be around for much longer. Thanks to Pat Camblin for allowing me to use some of his awesome photographs.

..........................the infamous ferry move
-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Last September (2007) a group of us kayakers went to explore an unrun canyon and rapids of the Petit Mecatina River. It was an epic trip as we found ourselves amidst a true whitewater classic. Long days, remote river, difficult whitewater, creative routefinding, and spectacular scenery. Here is the story and photos of that trip. The Mecatina is also under study for a 1500 MW hydro project that would consist of three dams. We saw first hand the surveying that had already been done along the river. It would be a true shame to lose such an incredible free-flowing river.

Riviere Du Petit Mecatina
By Fred Coriell

The Beaver’s engine rattled and sputtered as Leonard DuReps did his preflight warm-up lap around the lake. It was nearly noon and six hours past our anticipated departure time. I could see Willy Kern nodding off in the co-pilot seat and Eric Boomer had his face firmly pressed against the kayaks inside the plane.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The long drive out the mighty Saint Lawrence River to the eastern endpoint of highway 138 in the town of Natashquan, Québec was beautiful, but frenzied. Several minor detours including screeching the car to a halt at every river crossing and an empty gas tank around midnight had slowed us down enough to realize the window of time was rapidly closing.
Originally we intended to fly into the Petit Mecatina River on Sunday giving us six and a half days to paddle 120 miles and negotiate a canyon that had spawned several near legendary stories of portaging. The crux of the plan, besides the canyon, was catching a weekly ferry out of Harrington Harbour, a small fishing village near the mouth of the river, at 7pm the following Saturday. There are no roads in this part of Québec. The 12 hour ferry ride is the only public transportation linking Harrington Harbor and highway 138 in Natashquan. Miss the ferry and we have to wait another week.
Now it was Monday and only time for one plane load before dark. It would be almost noon on Tuesday before the other two plane flights arrived and we could begin the paddle. The only good news, it seemed, was that Leonard thought he could land directly above the gorge we intended to paddle. Thus, shortening the trip 30 miles and gaining back one of the days we had already lost.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

With half closed eyes I watched the taiga, its huge forests of black spruce and balsam fir and the endless lakes and rivers connecting them. In all, the three of us on the first flight had it good. We could get some much needed rest and contemplate a river that was currently flowing within our reach.
The Petit Mecatina is the longest river in Québec’s North Coast region. Its headwaters overflow with lakes draining across the Canadian Shield and off the Lower North Shore Plateau. Broad river valleys flanked by smooth granite bubbles shaped by endless glaciations and the slow steady progress of the giant river system are remnants of the archaic mountain ranges that once stood proud. Since 1977 there have been a handful of descents down the river. A 1985 Canoe Magazine article describes a trip that year by Sergey Theoret who also ran the river first in 1977. He returned with tales of an impassable canyon, but described a portage route on the western side of the river. In 1986 Eric Lindbergh led a trip with three kayaks. They began at Lac Breton, our original planned starting point, paddled into the canyon and portaged for a day and a half on the eastern side of the river around the rapids that make up the heart of the gorge. Most recently in 2003 a group of canoes paddled from the Mecatina’s headwaters 500 km to the ocean. The “trip from hell” as described by their report lasted over three weeks with the canyon portage taking six days.
It is hard to grasp the scale of the Mecatina. The river is so big it looks still and the horizon lines seem to appear suddenly, only the sullen roar hinting at what lies ahead. Standing on billion year old bedrock Willy, Boomer, and I scouted the first set of rapids. We debated the river’s volume. Maybe 4,000cfs or 12,000cfs, it was difficult to decipher. Swimming pool sized potholes that disappeared into the abyss dotted the river bank. Large natural forces had been at work here for a long time. The place felt ancient.
On the right side of the river were several orange painted markers cloaked with sticks covered in orange flagging; a sight that would become all too familiar downstream. The Mecatina’s attributes, as well other large rivers on the North Coast, have attracted the will of modern civilization’s ever-increasing demand for energy. In the Hydro Québec Production Strategic Plan 2004-2008 it states “The Romaine development could be followed by a second major 1500-MW project on the Petit Mecatina River in the same region.” If approved the Romaine project could begin construction in 2009. The Mecatina may not be far behind. Attaining back to camp my thoughts immersed in a debate between a need for renewable energy sources and what the true costs are of those technologies. I concluded, at least for now, that we were fortunate, perhaps selfishly so, about to experience a journey through a still untouched and wild landscape.
The drone of the plane’s engine broke the morning silence as it crested the ridge. John Grace, Pat Camblin, and Anthony Yap arrived in the first load. Three hours later Tommy Hilleke, Billy Murphy, and Joe Barkley unloaded the last of the gear and in true bush pilot form Leonard departed ducking his right wing just over our heads. Nine of us headed downstream curious to feel the push of the river beneath our kayaks hopeful of negotiating the gorge by nightfall.
A smooth thick tongue of tannin colored water dropped 4 meters threading two large holes. The river abruptly changed from calm to frantic.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

A variety of underwater, over the water, and backender moves ensued. Then straight into another river wide feature. Instantly, the Mecatina was alive. Over the next couple hours we settled into a steady pace of leap frog scouting and follow the leader, running several big wave trains and a few standout rapids.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

One in particular, just above a place called Granite Island Rapid, Boomer ran out in the main flow executing a timely subsurface paddle at the bottom of a watery ramp. It was exciting big water paddling. -photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The surrounding shore lines began to tighten their grip on the river’s course. In the distance cliffs sprang out of the valley floor stacking in bands of rock and boreal vegetation. Two grey domes topped with a rich hue of moss and black spruce rose taller than the rest. The river was deeply entrenched between them. It was nearly three o’clock and we were about to commit ourselves into the canyon. A couple of pushy lead-in rapids and we were out of our boats looking at one of two named rapids on the map, La Grande Truite (The Big Trout).

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

A smooth steeply sloping granite slab formed the left side of the river. It rose several hundred feet up, too exposed to traverse. The right side was more of the same. We could portage the top of the rapid, but were committed to a ferry move above a ledge that mischievously hid itself from clear view. Willy and Tommy went long and scouted from high up the left side wall. If we could make the ferry across the river it looked possible to keep moving at river level and avoid a grim portage. It was a big “if”. The river was pushing hard. We powwowed trying to decipher aerial photographs and the left side scout. Willy thought if someone blew the ferry there was a thin line in the center of the river that would work if you paddled hard.
Of the first three to go only Boomer made the ferry. The rest of us watched in amazement as Pat, taking a heroic surf, held on long enough to be spit out downstream. Anthony, seeing the situation in front of him, turned his boat downstream towards Pat and paddled straight at the hole. He emerged in the outflow and upright. Convinced of a line we slid into our kayaks focused on making the move. Only four of nine made the ferry, but most importantly no more hole riding.
Around the next corner was a steep rapid with plenty of room to portage over house sized rocks on the right. People had been here before. Orange markers were spaced every hundred yards or so down both river banks. We scouted further to see what was making the tremendous rumbling that echoed loudly off the canyon walls.

The Mecatina dropped over a 10 meter falls, squeezed between solid bedrock flanks, creating a frothy white storm that boiled wildly into chaos. There was a steep rocky ramp leading to a cave below the falls and an obvious way downstream.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The other option was a ferry above the falls and a portage down rock slabs back to the river. Daylight was fading. John led a crew that opted for the ferry and everyone else portaged entirely on the right.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Looking back upstream at the watery chaos the scale of the Mecatina showed itself again. The raucous boil at the base of the falls surged with such fury it blocked the lower half of the drop from view. We floated around another corner and the canyon walls receded.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The first stars flickered to light as we settled into camp.
The next day was a mix of rapids and long stretches of moving current. With the broadening river valley we delighted in a display of northern boreal waterfowl. Mergansers, bitterns, and watchful osprey crisscrossed the sky.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Even a lone wolf eyed us wearily from the river bank. We had traveled only 10 miles yesterday. Four days and 80 miles remained between us and the ferry. It seemed reasonable we would make it, but in short river kayaks the vast calm sections of the Mecatina became arduous work. Sometimes we would paddle in a line, drafting wakes and keeping a steady cadence of forward strokes. For breaks we rafted the boats together floating lazily in the current sharing snacks and checking our progress on the maps.
Late in the afternoon the Mecatina flowed into a smaller less imposing canyon with long wave trains and a few big holes. Mostly we enjoyed trying to surf our gear laden kayaks. Joe took a ride while unsuccessfully trying to thread a couple of large crashers.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

After several rounds in the hole he managed to jump his heavy kayak completely out of the water before continuing downstream. At the end of the canyon was an impressive rapid. Standing at the top the whitewater continued as far as we could see. More orange markers lined the river bank perhaps explaining why the map had exact elevations for the top and bottom of the rapid. We stayed close to the right shore, not tempting the middle of the river. -photo courtesy Pat Camblin
On the third morning we awoke with a strengthening southerly breeze. Unwelcome weather with more than 30 miles of flat water ahead. The windy conditions deteriorated throughout the day. Where there was current the wind pushed so hard it created standing waves. Again we formed a drafting line, heads down against the constant spray whipping our faces. An incredible set of glassy waves called Rapid de Pahtapistnakan came somewhere in the middle of the day. Everyone scrambled to put their spray skirts on in time for a surf. Had there been more time we would have stayed here for the night.
As the day wound down we passed a group of moose hunters from Tete-a-la-Beleine, a coastal village east of the Mecatina. They shared a few precious beers and informed us that we were close to the day’s goal.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Thanking them for the libations and a tour of their cabin we paddled the last few miles spending a windy night just above the place where the Mecatina divides into two channels.
Locals call it “The Split.” The western channel takes the name Netagamiou while the eastern keeps the name Petit Mecatina.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

They flow about 10 miles apart, two very distinct rivers now. I could only venture a guess that over time nature’s forces had eroded the falls above the split far enough upstream that the river began pouring into another depression in the landscape eventually finding its way to the ocean. It also presented a decision that was answered the previous day by a satellite phone call to Larry Ransom. The Harrington Harbor wharf manager had secured us a boat ride from the bottom of the Mecatina at 6:30 the next morning. He explained we needed to be punctual since high tide was at 7am, or we would be on our own. The route was set which, to our surprise, held some of the best whitewater of the trip.
Below the split, with half the flow, the river crashed through a short bedrock gorge.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Then several long pools and rapids that split around islands making different channels of whitewater.

-photo courtesy Anthony Yap

We explored each one thoroughly paddling the channels that looked most inviting.

-photos courtesy Pat Camblin

One last island, splitting a vertical waterfall and a sloping rapid into an abrupt slide, evoked lines of varying success. Tired, but thrilled about the last day’s whitewater, we slept at the base of the falls; its steady roar a last breath of a mighty river subsiding into the ocean.

-photos courtesy Pat Camblin

The sun was just rising from the ocean as we floated out the mouth of the river. It turned the sky a brilliant orange that reflected brightly on the calm water.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

In the distance the sound of a motor was gaining volume. Before long we could make out a zodiac raft heading towards us. It was Larry and Paul Rowsell the mayor of Harrington Harbor. They towed us back to Paul’s fishing boat and we loaded everything on board.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

We were grateful for the ride. It saved us several hours of paddling and probably a few more of getting lost trying to navigate through the coastal topography. We docked in Harrington Harbor around eight in the morning. Word traveled fast in the small town ever since the call to Larry on Thursday. People were curious to hear about the trip through the canyon. Some of them said they had flown over it before and others were interested to know if we had seen any moose along the way. We spent the day wandering the island and talking to the locals.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

I inquired to Paul about the surveying we had seen along the river. He said that Hydro Québec was interested in the Mecatina for multiple generating stations and thought the project would be a good thing for the local economy. As isolated as Harrington Harbor is I could understand how a large scale construction project would improve access to the largely untouched mainland and create opportunities besides the commercial fishing industry that the town was built around.
The ferry left Harrington Harbor at eight the next morning. A fast moving, but strong storm had delayed its departure. Finally, after a long seasick ride through 4 meter seas we were back on solid ground in Natashquan. It was 11pm on Sunday night, exactly five and a half days since we began paddling down the Mecatina. The river had surprised everyone with its incredible and abundant whitewater and spectacular scenery. We would all return if the opportunity arose again and perhaps entice other groups to explore the river. I hope that opportunity will be soon. The increasing pressure to expand the generating capacity of the North Coast’s immense water resources is evident with several ongoing refurbishing projects of older dams and the study of new large scale projects including the Mecatina. Awareness of the largely untapped whitewater resources could potentially factor into future decisions concerning hydro development in the region. . The river has the potential to be regarded as one of the classic expeditionary whitewater trips. And it is still a pristine landscape that sees little human impact. The future of the Petit Mecatina is still uncertain. It would be a real tragedy to lose it forever.

Magpie River

The Magpie River attracted attention a few years back when Hydromega wanted to refurbish an existing dam structure just above highway 138. Vocal opposition from the paddling community in Canada as well as environmental groups was unable to stop this development, but fortunately for river travellers it has not affected the vast majority of the whitewater. There have been proposals by Hydro-Quebec in the past to develop the Magpie farther upstream, but nothing in the near future. In fact, there is proposals to create four biodiversity reserves in the Basse Cote Nord region. One of which includes the Magpie River from its headwaters. This is exciting since it could ensure the Magpie free of future hydro development. Here is a link to the english translation of the proposals.



http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/rapports/publications/bape236_eng.pdf



A few years back some of us New England boaters did a trip on the Magpie. In fact, there were several groups from New England that year. The Magpie saw more Vermonters than it ever had in the past. It is one of those true classics. Our group flew into a lake that flows into the Magpie Nord-Ouest. (Can't remeber the name right now) Five days on the river, no bugs since it was september, and some great paddling. Here are some photos of the trip.

Sunrise after a chilly night

Misty Morning on the nord-ouest

Well, it got a little cold on the first night

Must have been a cold night

Portage!



Running the gorge after the portage

Ed paddling out of the gorge.

Scouting one of the many rapids on the nord-ouest

Trip showing how you boof if your from the southeast.

Ed on an early morning scout below camp 2

Brian on the Magpie Nord-Ouest

Ed, Boyce, and Brian somewhere in the middle of Lake Magpie

That's a long way to go in a Jefe

Cruising into camp for the night.

Early morning on Lake Magpie

The lake is finally behind us!!

......and then there was a river
Nice waves on the Magpie

Greg showing the young guys that the hole at the bottom is really some "sweet action" Boyce threading the needle
Out of the mist


Nice photo Beckwith


Brian somewhere on the lower Magpie, having fun


Justin contemplating the possibilities.

The first drop Justin fired up

The next one had a pretty big hole, but.....

This hole (hard to tell scale) was something else. Maybe the jedi-plug. It worked for the logs.

Justin and Fred portaging the gnar. The runout of this canyon is sweet whitewater.

Ed admiring Magpie Falls

.....and the concrete keeps pouring

Some Pictures of Another Incredible North Coast River

Enjoy these pictures of the Aguanus River. But please read on to learn about the plight of the Romaine River and find out what you can do to help safegaurd its future.

Some Pictures

Only a few days away from leaving for the Romaine. There is plenty of water right now. The gauge is around 250cms. It will probably slowly drop over the next week or so. Long range weather forecast for Havre-Saint-Peirre is fairly dry, but its always hard to tell what happens up on the plateau. We'll probably do one or two more updates before heading into the wilderness so stay tuned.

Camping on La Riviere Jacques Cartier
Lower half of 2nd Triple Drop at the perfect water level
BOOF!!!

The Rocher in Port Cartier is a fun roadside classic

Disappearing on the Rocher (ok its a bad photo taken about 2 seconds too late)

Putting in on the Malbaie

Joe Barkley firing off Chocolate Milk (Gatineau Falls) on the Malbaie

One of three photos taken on this high energy Taureau run. We were focused intently on the river that day.

More Outdated Pictures......

Well it seems that new photos attract more viewers. So, here are a handful of photos from a kayak trip a few years back. We were working on a documentary with filmaker Angus Yates in Russia. That site is http://www.boofingtheironcurtain.blogspot.com/. After helping Angus with the film, John, Jules, and I stayed another month and travelled to the Altai Mountains to do some great paddling with the Russians. What a wild bunch they are! I hope one day I can return and shoot some rapids and some vodka with Vasia, Oleg, The Doctor, Victor, Alex, Masha, Misha, and Antonio.

P.S. Remember we are trying to raise some cash money. Thankyou to our latest contributor of $5. That's all it it takes, a dollar here a dollar there!!

Chulycha River in Altai. Notice Vasia and Antonio in the bottom left.

Doctor on one of the many difficult rapids of the Chulycha.

Grace on the Khurkuria, a tributary of the amazing Chulyshman River.

Doctor showing how to do it Russian style. Hui-yaaaaak!

Vasia had the 1st descent on this gorge not long before he took us here. It was awesome.

Driving to the Karagem. We weren't following any roads, but some how made it to the river.

Argut and Karagem confluence. After 2 days we still had 4 more to go and some sweet action.

Of course we saw catarafters in the middle of nowhere. It is the Russian national past time.

Oleg navigating one of the more complex rapids on the Argut.

Victor "the man who forged us work visas so we could stay for three months" hiking into the Chulyshman. A true Altai classic.

Submitting An Opinion of the Romaine Complex

How to submit an opinion of the Romaine Complex-

The Bureau of Public Audiences in Quebec has a guideline for submitting opinions. It is outlined below from the BAPE website and can be e-mailed to romaine@bape.gouv.qc.ca They would prefer word or pdf attachments.

Title of Opinion (The Romaine Complex is not a feasible option for the Romaine River, for example)
Introduce yourself (my name is, I am a kayaker, river enthusiast, or representing....)

The memory will be made public and distributed at the hearing and on the BAPE website. Therefore it is important to use only personal information that could affect you and is relevant to the arguments in the opinion.

Provide your address and phone number on a separate page. This is how the BAPE can confirm the link between the opinion and its author. A memorandum sent without this information may not be considered. This info is on a separate page to ensure the author's confidentiality.

The submission must be prepared in compliance with the other participants. It does not include intentionally prejudice opinions that reflect on the dignity, honor, reputation, or privacy of individuals.

If the memory is large, it is suggested to accompany a one-page summary.

Some suggestions for writing the opinion are as follows-
Why are you interested in this project?
What influence does this have on the environment or your quality of life?
Is there a way to understand this project from both sides of the issues in your opinion? Why?
Is the proposed project the best solution that would have the least negative impacts on the environment, considering other alternatives? Why?
In your opinion, are there elements of this project which should be changed?
Which ones and how?
In your opinion, should this project be allowed? Why?
Do you have any other suggestions?

November 27th is the deadline for submitting opinions by e-mail. The hearing begins December 1st.

Public Hearing For The Romaine Complex Has Begun

The public hearing for the Romaine Hydro Project began last night in Havre-Saint-Pierre. There has been no mention of video confrencing to allow people from around Quebec to participate and voice thier opinions about the project. BAPE has an audio broadcast of the hearings on their web page about the public hearing.
http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/La%20Romaine/index.htm

More importantly it is possible to submit questions to the review panel via e-mail until Novemember 7th, 2008.
**Important**
This first part of the public hearing is intended to complement information about the project. Opinions about the project will be voiced in the coming weeks. As a paddler I would recommend asking whether or not they have considered maintaining the Romaine as a challenging canoe and kayak route. Will the rapids, falls, portages, and campsites be maintained? Are there any plans to do such? Hydro Quebec has taken into consideration how they will manage the impact to snowmobile travel on the river in winter, but not to canoe and kayak travel during the late spring, summer, and fall. Submit questions here-
This is the english translated link-
http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/La%2520Romaine/participer/formulaire-La_Romaine.htm&usg=ALkJrhjEKsb5g8MH_9JRMi4lBrSBAMJW6g

The original link-
http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/La%20Romaine/participer/formulaire-La_Romaine.htm

or they can be e-mailed to questions@bape.gouv.qc.ca

More Information on the Romaine Complex

This is a good link for learning more about the Romaine Complex. It works well to translate the webpages using the Google Language Tools.

http://www.hydroquebec.com/romaine/index.html