The Pinawa Channel

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Name: Pinawa Channel
Flows: no gauge but is runnable Spring-Fall
Length: 11km
Class: (a class I, a class II, a class III+ slide and countless swifts)
Highlights (Old Pinawa Dam site, suspension bridge painted Turtles, cliffs, marsh)
Put in: end of highway 211 past Pinawa
take out: Old Pinawa Dam site
Nearby Towns: Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa
Guide services: Wild Harmony Canoe Adventures (http://www.wildharmony.ca/)


The Pinawa Channel is a day trip located in South Eastern Manitoba near the town of Pinawa. It is roughly 11 km long from put-in to take-out and is paddle-able from May to October .

Directions to put in from Lac du Bonnet

 If It weren't for the golf course bordering the left shore for the first few km and the swinging bridge crossing the river you could be anywhere in the remote Manitoban wilderness. There is abundant wildlife along the river including Whitetail deer, painted turtles, many species of birds and the odd snapping turtle.

 The suspension bridge

The put-in parking is located at the end of Highway 211. From there carry your canoe or kayak 400 meters across a large rock dam that crosses the channel. On the far side of the dam there is a moderately steep path down to the river.

Steep path to the put in



There are a few faster sections of water on the first half of the river. Including a minor rapid with two chutes. Don't worry though, the island in the middle has a short portage. If your decide to run the rapids take the right chute, although the left is runnable, it is quite shallow and might scratch the bottom of your boat. The picture below is the left chute.

 Kaelum is stuck on a rock

Once you are past these rapids the river slows down and soon enters a large lake which will provide you with an opportunity to do some bird watching. Paddle your way through the meandering path that leads through the sea of reeds.

To the Lake

At the end of the lake there is a rapid that I call Shorty's Dam. A small lift-over will allow you to surpass the rapids, or if you are feeling particularly adventurous you can paddle them. Just remember that the water is shallow so it may be a safe idea to wear a helmet. After these falls there are no rapids or even swift water until the take-out.

 Author running Shorty's Dam

The take-out is located at the lip of the falls on the left side of the river at Old Pinawa Dam. You don't want to take an open boat down those. I have kayaked them on the right side and it was easy but I have also gone down the middle. BAD CHOICE! The dam is located on Old Pinawa Dam rd. You pass the turn off on the way to the put in.

 Author running the slide at Old Pinawa Dam

Happy Paddling,

Braeden