Central Tasmanian River Details

Kommentiert von P.Rösler am 01.04.02, Originaldatei ist http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/canoetas/ptcentrl.htm

Canoe Tasmania Inc

River Tours for Central Tasmania

Derwent River

Butlers Gorge

Distance: 5 Km.
Average Gradient: 10m/Km.
Peak Gradient: 20m/ Km. for the first 1 Km. Difficulty:
Grade 3-4. <zu schwer> Paddling Time: 2-3 hours. <zu kurz>
Entry Point: <Nähe Lake King William> Via A.N.M. Iogging track (Grid ref. DP 548 130) on the "Tarraleah Straight (A10). Walk down the track to the nver.
Exit Point: At the bridge over the Derwent River at Wayatinah (Grid ref. 579 061).
Water Level: Between 600-3000 cusecs.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Nive (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: The Butler's Gorge section flows infrequently during winter months. It has not been paddled in its entirety since the Shoobridge party in 1927, and Truchanas/Sklenica in the late 50's. The top section of Butler's Gorge is very steep and rarely has water in it. The section from the logging track down, drops quite steeply and has many large boulder rapids. Some require checking from the bank. Care should be taken to ensure the right path to avoid possible jams. At higher levels (2000 cusecs +) there are some sizeable rapids. The river flattens out considerably after the Gorge to grade 2/3 rapids.

Derwent River
Wayatinah to Catagunya

Distance: 7 Km.
Average Gradient: 10m/Km.
Difficulty: Grade 2-4. <zu schwer>
Paddling Time: 1 hour.
Entry Point: Below "Suicide Falls" spillway at the end of Wayatinah Lagoon (Grid ref. DP 583 054). Take the road past the Liapootah Power Station (off A13) cross the Derwent and turn left immediately after the bridge.
Exit Point: Lake Catagunya Boat Ramp (Grid ref. 617 024).
Water Level: 1200-13000 cusecs.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Nive, Shannon (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: The river flows infrequently, but is a good trip if there is sufficient water. This section can be paddled in conjunction with the Butler's Gorge section or the Nive.The river has been paddled up to about 13000 cusecs but could be paddled at higher levels. At high water (above 5000 cusecs) the river consists of many large standing waves and one large stopper of note on the right hand side of the first rapid. The last rapid can be inspected from the left bank or the island in the middle of the river at low water. The last 2 Km. is on Lake Catagunya.

Florentine River
Coles Creek to Florentine Bridge

Distance: 11 Km.
Average Gradient: 14m/Km. Peak Gradient: 20m/ Km.
Difficulty: Grade 3 <zu schwer> (depending on water level. High level grade 4).
Paddling Time: Approximately 3 hours.
Entry Point: A bridge on an unnamed road off the Florentine Road at Coles Creek (Grid ref. 547 948). Take the Florentine Road from Wayatinah. ANM permit required.
Exit Point: The Florentine Road Bridge just upstream of the Derwent River (Grid ref. [Shannon] 591 007).
Water Level: 300-600 cusecs.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Nive, Shannon (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: Above the entry point, the river appears to be flat and choked with logs. There are a couple of possible entry points upstream of Coles Creek and in high water levels would probably make an enjoyable paddle. The major rapid on the river is "Crap Cascades". Inspection is recommended as it is quite a difficult rapid, it may be portaged on the left. The Florentine Road follows the river fairly closely on the right; although a walkout would be difficult due to the thick scrub. It may be better to stay with the river, depending on location. This river has not been paddled for quite some time due to severe log jams caused by extensive logging in the area.

Nive River
Gowan Brae to Pine Tier Road

Distance: 8 Km.
Average Gradient: 15m/Km. Peak Gradient: 20m/ Km.
Difficulty: Grade 2-3. <zu schwer>
Paddling Time: 2 hours.
Entry Point: Gowan Brae Road Bridge (Grid ref. 518 465). On private property permission required.
Exit Point: Bridge on Pine Tier Road above Pine Tier Lagoon. On the left bank above the bridge (Grid ref. 560 411).
Water Level: Minimum 300-400 cusecs.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Nive (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: This is very enjoyable, continuous white water at higher levels but at lower levels is mainly a "rock garden". There are no difficult rapids requiring inspection. Entry is just below a low level bridge. For the adventurous, shoot B.H.P. Falls above the bridge but beware of the steel girders in the current.

Nive River

Lyell Highway to Tungatinah Power Station

Distance: 18 Km.
Average Gradient: 6m/Km.
Difficulty: Grade 3-4 <zu schwer> (can be grade 5 above 5000 cusecs).
Paddling Time: 3-5 hours.
Entry Point: Lyell Highway (A10) Bridge 2 Km west of the Marlborough (B11) Highway (Grid ref. 559 324).
Exit Point: Immediately after the Tungatinah Power Station on the left bank to the picnic ground (Grid ref. 551 168).
Water Level: 1500-6000 cusecs (ideal 2500-4000).
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Nive (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: From the Lyell Highway to the Clarence Rivulet the rapids range from grade 3 and are quite open. At the Clarence Rivulet the first major rapid, "Mountains Mistake" consists of a large grade 3-4 fall. While the rapid is reasonably safe, it should be inspected first. About 2 Km. downstream is a long boulder rapid which begins on a right hand bend. The bottom cannot be seen from above but it can be paddled blind. Stay in the middle to right hand side as there have been logs jammed in stoppers on the left. Good grade 3-4 water follows. One large rapid has a nasty looking rock in the middle but is safe to shoot on the left or right. The last major fall ("Sausage Falls") is a grade 4 double stage rapid and has a large powerful stopper in it. It is about 2-3 Km. to the finish. The Nive is basically big, cold and tiring. Walkouts should be on the right bank to the Fourteen Mile Road. On the lower section the left bank is preferred.

Brady's Lake Slalom Course
Woodward's Canal

Distance: 600m.
Average Gradient: 10m/Km.
Difficulty: Grade 3. <zu schwer>
Paddling Time: 3 minutes.
Entry Point: From the Loop Road (off A10) around the water course or the start bay (Grid ref. DP 581 248).
Exit Point: From the lake at the bottom of the course (Grid ref. 581 246).
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Nive (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: The Brady's Lake Slalom Course has for many years been Australia's premier slalom course. It is an excellent venue for practicing white water skills for competent paddlers. The water course consists of large standing waves and powerful stoppers. The first drop consists of a 5 metre ramp into a superb rodeo hole ("The Gibbers") and has been used for several of these events. The notorious "cruncher" is about 150m. from the top. It consists of a double stage drop with a stopper at the bottom of the first stage. It is usually quite safe but is very shallow and hence a capsize could result in minor facial surgery. It can be portaged easily. "Mellifont Street", the bottom portion of the course is very steep, often shallow and always fast. The entire course can be inspected from the bank. This is essential as a capsize could result in a long swim down the course. The sluice gates at the very top of the course should be avoided.

Ouse River

Distance: 6 Km.
Average Gradient: 15m/Km. Peak Gradient: 25m/ Km.
Difficulty: Grade 2-3. <zu schwer>
Paddling Time: 1-2 hours.
Entry Point: Lake Augusta Dam. (Grid ref. 643 671).
Exit Point: At the flying fox near the bridge (Grid ref. 683 612). Water Level: 600-700 cusecs.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 Meander (Land Tenure Index Series).
General Description: The Ouse is a very cold alpine stream with intermittent flow. It has fast continuous grade 2 rapids for the first 4 Km. then steepens markedly with difficult grade 3 rapids in places, and fairly technical paddling through tricky drops. A weir at Grid ref. 678 615 forms the intake to Liawenee Canal (paddling prohibited) and is about 8m. high. It is a compulsory portage. After the weir, it is a short paddle to the flying fox. Do not paddle below the flying fox, it is a short walk up to the road. The road follows the river on the left bank about 800m. 1 Km. away.

Little Pine River
Distance: about 6 Km. or about 13 km.
Average Gradient: 20?m/Km. Peak Gradient: 60?m/ Km.
Difficulty: Grade 2-4. <zu schwer>
Paddling Time: 2-3 hours.
Entry Point: Little Pine Lagoon. Either on the lake or below the 2m. weir.
Exit Point: A bridge down an ANM road or paddle into the Pine River and exit near Pine Tier Lagoon.?????
Water Level: Visual gauge at Little Pine Lagoon.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 ????????
General Description: To this date there has only been one trip on the river at about 300 cusecs flow. The trip could be done at higher flows but would be quite fast and very tight in places. The first six kilometers consist of tight grade 3 rapids with few opportunities to stop. About 1km after the start a low bridge is reached. At low flows this can easily be paddled under or walked on either bank. The lower section of the river (from the ANM bridge to Pine Tier Lagoon) contains the bigger rapids. About 2km after the bridge the river enters a small gorge with steep continuous grade 4 rapids for approx. 2km. At higher flows this section would be very fast and tight for the whole 2km. The last 2km. into the Pine river are relatively flat.

Deep Creek

Distance: about 2 Km. ??????
Average Gradient: 40?m/Km.
Difficulty: Grade 3-4. <zu schwer>
Paddling Time: 20mins.
Entry Point: Little Pine Lagoon. After the release gate.
Exit Point: At the intake to Monpeelyata Canal
Water Level: Visual gauge from the road beside the river.
Tasmap: 1:100 000 ????????
General Description: To this date this creek has only been attempted once. It is a short trip down a very steep, rocky and continuous canal and can be scouted easily from the road (recommended). A good trip if your in the area it's flowing and you haven't got much time.

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