I went for a post-flood overnight paddle in the ottawa area. My plan was to loop to starved rock and back, as I've done before. There was a very strong downstream current (3+mph), after some flooding rains.
I checked the depth charts prior to leaving, and saw that the river was right around flood stage, and about 10 deeper than usual. This definitely bumped up the current from it's typical snail pace. I would cut my trip short, around buffalo rock, for fear that I wouldn't have the early season strength to get back.
The current would ease up the next day, but it was still hard upstream. I clung to shore, which would alternate between non-moving water and eddy lines. This was much easier than pressing on in the middle of the river. Paddling in the middle of the river required full strength just to keep up, so it was very demanding.
So, point taken, don't try to get upstream after a flood.
I checked the depth charts prior to leaving, and saw that the river was right around flood stage, and about 10 deeper than usual. This definitely bumped up the current from it's typical snail pace. I would cut my trip short, around buffalo rock, for fear that I wouldn't have the early season strength to get back.
The current would ease up the next day, but it was still hard upstream. I clung to shore, which would alternate between non-moving water and eddy lines. This was much easier than pressing on in the middle of the river. Paddling in the middle of the river required full strength just to keep up, so it was very demanding.
So, point taken, don't try to get upstream after a flood.
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