Canoeing date was march 17th. Melting snow in spring allow canoeing creeks around Montreal that otherwise would be challenging to canoe during summer due to low water levels. Here is an example with the Small River (Petite Riviere) that ends in Oak River (riviere du Chene) around the village of St-Benoit North-west of Montreal Island. St-Benoit is located in agricultural area but water front on the creeks around St-Benoit have kept their threes. To get to St-Benoit go the end of highway 640 west from Montreal. The road should become route 344. Keep eye open for St-Benoit road on your right. Follow St-Benoit signs. In St-Benoit area there are several options for canoe landing from small bridges. Parking normally allowed beside bridges on dirt part of side of roads. May need to ask permission to house owner if access to river is from an owner yard. Agricultural land owner normally dont mind access without asking if no house around. Here are some pictures.
Above: section of Petite Riviere that I canoed upstream. Upstream is from top to bottom direction wise. Picture from part of 1:250 000 topographical map obtained at Les Quatres Points Cardinaux Inc located in downtown Montreal corner of Ontario and St-Hubert.
Above: current in inflated creek from melting snow is significant. Grey brown color of water is from clay.
Above: Melting snow allow to canoe very tiny tributaries of the Petite Riviere.
Above: Parts of the Petite Riviere actually looks like the Bayous in Louisiana !!!!
Above: Thats the furthest upstream I could canoe. Could have put my feet in the river and continue up the rapid but temperature was too low. Next time I will bring rubber pants fisherman use to go in river waters so I can bypass rapids like this one !!!!
