9. Beaver River - Beatty Lake to Waterhen River
Voyageur Special...a truly beautiful stretch of the Beaver River...the 'Beaver', throughout most of its traverse from near Lac La Biche, Alberta to north of Meadow Lake, is primarily an agricultural waterway (a little too brown and smelling too much of cattle yards!)...however, this section of the Beaver River is some distance from the agricultural landscape and the contribution of additional drainage systems into the Beaver River allows for what is really a great kayaking experience...scattered short stretches of riffles and Class 1 rapids serve to liven up the route...mixed spruce and aspen forest type dominates the shoreline...there is apparently great fishing for walleye just above the first rapids (~ 1 km from the start location at Beatty Lake)...lots of pelicans, bald eagles, geese, ducks, beaver, etc...and of course - this is part of the historic fur trade route into the heartland of Canada.
Fur trade info:
Comprehensive history of the Canadian fur trade
A brief description of paddling the Beaver River in ~ 1997 can also be found here.
Length: ~ 21.0 km (about 4.5 hours of paddling)
Time of year: All summer (mid-May to late September)
Experience required: Novice
Noteworthy features: This is an historic voyageur route.
Access and parking: Great access and parking at both start and finish locations off of Hwy 155 north of Green Lake.
Start location: Beatty Lake boat launch - road access to the boat launch is just to the north of the Hwy 155 Beaver River bridge (1 km) on the west side of Hwy 155.
Take out location: An unnamed road immediately opposite Mistik Management Ltd.'s Gallant Lake Road (just north of the Hwy 155 Waterhen River bridge and on the east side of Hwy 155). Follow the road straight east for about 2.5 km until you come to a gate / chain fence across the road (leads to a cabin so don't disturb) - instead turn right (south) and follow the trail that leads down to the river. Turn around and park on this access road.
Route location (Google Earth kmz file):
Fur trade info:
Comprehensive history of the Canadian fur trade
A brief description of paddling the Beaver River in ~ 1997 can also be found here.
Length: ~ 21.0 km (about 4.5 hours of paddling)
Time of year: All summer (mid-May to late September)
Experience required: Novice
Noteworthy features: This is an historic voyageur route.
Access and parking: Great access and parking at both start and finish locations off of Hwy 155 north of Green Lake.
Start location: Beatty Lake boat launch - road access to the boat launch is just to the north of the Hwy 155 Beaver River bridge (1 km) on the west side of Hwy 155.
Take out location: An unnamed road immediately opposite Mistik Management Ltd.'s Gallant Lake Road (just north of the Hwy 155 Waterhen River bridge and on the east side of Hwy 155). Follow the road straight east for about 2.5 km until you come to a gate / chain fence across the road (leads to a cabin so don't disturb) - instead turn right (south) and follow the trail that leads down to the river. Turn around and park on this access road.
Route location (Google Earth kmz file):
| Beaver River Beatty Lake to Waterhen River.kmz |