Water level chart for the Rouge River

One of the top whitewater rivers in North America. Draining from the western Laurentian Mountains, the Rouge river cascades down through the ancient granite of the Canadian Shield. The Rouge is a free flowing river. The rafting is excellent all season long. There are two sections to the Rouge: the Harrington Canyon and Seven Sisters. We start the season on the Harrington Canyon when the spring runoff is peak and the water is running too high and fast for the Seven Sisters. Throughout the summer the Seven Sisters section provides challenging, technical, continuous rapids with warmer water.

InSpring: The Canyon features a big breaking wave that has been known to occasionally toss 16 feet rafts over at high water levels. It is followed by some other serious events like "Confusion", "Turbo", and the "Surprise".

From June to October: The Seven Sistes Rapids, is a series of dramatic ledge drops that cascade into the dynamic Washing Machine.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MAIN RAPIDS

CANYON SECTION

ROCKPILE: From the second you see it, your heart begins to pound and the power of the Rouge River grips your soul. There is no turning back, you are committed.

CANYON: A magnificent gorge in the Precambrian rock, the Canyon packs a monster punch with its exploding waves in highwater and a dramatic drop in summer.

CONFUSION: will be your awakening. Rocking waves and pillows or technical maneuvers, which way to go. Confusion, over a kilometer of primo whitewater.

TURBO: Follow the S as the river snakes and compresses. Remember, stay right or you will be bitten by a major recycling hydraulic.

BELROSE: Named after the first guide to flip a raft after turbo, Belrose rapids sometimes offer unintended consequences.

SURPRISE: Just when you thought it was all over, the punch of the rapids kicks your raft up and down like a mad stallion.

DEVILS DOOR: An eerie canyon with caves and a great cliff for jumping into the swirling whirlpools and currents.

BELL FALLS: Better take the portage trail for this one. The only one to have ever run Bell Falls was a dummy called Eddy in a wetsuit. It looked like he made it, but he never said a word.

SEVEN SISTER SECTION

FAMILY RAPIDS: No to be confused with the Family float trip, these rapids are a long, gentile warm up for what is to come.

SISTER ELIZABETH: The first of the Seven Sisters Rapids, this sister is one mean lady. She can slam dunk you on your downstream run, and she can flip your raft like a fried egg if you dare cross her eddy line.

REACTIONARY: Stick your boat in the Reactionary hole and you will get a sudden and soaking lesson in Newtonian physics. The infamous Third Wave has been known to flip rafts and send the hapless rafters for a long swim.

FORBIDDEN WAVE: To be avoided at all costs. This wave makes a perfect arc and will remind you of Hawaii 5-0.

DRAINO: Hit this hole in highwater and your going down the drain, full of water and out of control.

TEXACO EDDY: A must stop on the Seven Sisters. Pull in here (if you can) to get organized for the technical rapids to come.

MUSHROOM: The perfect wave, just hit it right for a huge punch that will send the tail of your boat kicking into the air.

WASHING MACHINE: The premiere rapid of the Seven Sisters. Ride the tongue into a massive wall of water. Miss the tongue to the left and have your boat flipped by the Can Opener. Run Right and your in the Hamburger Maker; the raft is the bun and you are the meat..

SEVEN SISTERS FALLS: A series of deadly waterfalls that can be run by insane kayakers in low water only. All rafts must take out before the first falls.

Rouge River Map