Canoe Portages on the Madawaska River

The portage around the Calabogie Generating Station begins at the public boat launch at the lower end of Calabogie Lake. Paddlers travelling down the river must keep to the south-east shore and exit at the public boat launch. The route crosses County Road 511 and follows marked trails rejoining the river 1.6 km. downstream past the generating station

Paddlers must keep to the north shore when approaching the dam and will come to a point at the mouth of a long bay. Paddlers are to keep close to the point upon their entry into the bay and travel approx. 0.2 km. into the bay where the portage begins. This route follows a property fence for approx. 1.0 km. where it rejoins the river below the generating station.

Paddlers approaching Mountain Chute Generating Station will notice an island in the head pond and must keep to its south side, where they will see a causeway linking the island with the mainland. The portage begins here and continues 1.8 km. along an access road to Cananto Lodge Road, ending at a boat launch in Norcan Lake which is joined to the Madawaska River at this point.