After carefully looking at Google Earth (GE) map scans, I was reasonably convinced that the section of the Indian River between Darling Concession 10 and Darling Road would be navigable by canoe. This section is about 5.5 km one-way and very serpentine (as the crow flies, it’s only 3.8 km). Before heading out with the canoe, I did a bit of reconnaissance on the two possible access points. Ideally, I would have preferred to launch from Darling Conc. 10 to be going upriver first. But, the river access at the Conc. 10 bridge was marginal at best, while the river access of Darling Road was ideal.
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| Indian River (track 9.2 km) |
So on May 6th, I headed to the Indian River crossing on Darling Road and started my paddle downriver (east). From the GE maps, I was expecting at least four beaver dams on the way. The first one is not very far from Darling Road (<700m) and the largest. I had to scramble out of the canoe in both directions to hop over this one. This first section's main attractions to Dam#1 were a few C. geese, a pair of Mallard ducks, some Grackles, and lots of red-winged Blackbirds.
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| Dam#1 |
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| Red-winged Blackbird puffing-up |
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The next section of the river was 2.1 km of open water to Dam#3. I did not notice Dam#2, so either it was submerged or has been washed out. This section does have two excellent landing spots on the south shore of the river. The first is about 2/3 of the way to Dam#3. I kept going and made a short lunch stop at the second landing-place just above Dam#3. This section (Dam#1 to #3) also had lots of Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, and a few shy ducks. At one point, I was visited by three Turkey Vultures. They circled above me for a few minutes and moved on – probably realizing that a quick meal wasn’t very likely today!
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| Dam#3 |
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| Turkey Vulture |
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After my lunch, I continued downriver by first powering through Dam#3 – just barely! It was only about 700m to Dam#4. Lucky for me, Dam#4 was only partially blocking the river, and I could paddle by easily. Between Dam#3 and #4, there's a small creek running north (too narrow for a canoe). It's a run-off from a good-sized lake/pond about 1 km north of the Indian River (Madden Lake).
After Dam#4, I paddled another 1.2 km downriver before deciding it was time to turn around for home. This section is also very isolated and quiet. It has one private road and also one property along the way, but there wasn't anybody in sight. It would have been another kilometre to reach Darling Conc. 10 Road. In this area of the river, I don't remember as many birds or ducks.
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| Rest stop (jacket) |
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On the way back, I made a pit stop at the rest stop on the south shore between Dam#3 and #1. It's a nice dry area among mature cedar trees. As a bonus, I found a fleece jacket hanging on a tree – probably had spent the winter there. It was in good condition and my size, so I brought it home. After a cycle through the washing machine -- it's (almost) good as new!
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| Kingbird (mysterious southern species ) |
Soon after getting back on the water (going upriver), I noticed a small yellow & grey bird perched on a tree and snapped a few pics. I should have photographed some more from many angles, including in flight. As it turns out, it was a rare Kingbird for Ontario. The experts are still debating what species it could be (Tropical, or Couch’s).
The Indian River below Darling Road is a great small river section to paddle for early May -- it will be on my yearly list!
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Indian R., west from Darling Rd.
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On May 13, 2020, I returned to the Indian River at Darling Road and tried going upriver (west). I didn't get very far before getting blocked on both the river's SW and NW branches. It may be possible to go further earlier in the spring (mid-April).
After returning to Darling Road, I went east as far as Dam#3. The mystery Kingbird was nowhere to be seen! But, I did observe a lovely Belted Kingfisher and a few Midland Painted Turtles.
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| PHC at the Darling Road access point |
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| Tree Swallow |
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| C. Geese taking off! |
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 | Kingfisher, Belted
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 | Painted turtle, Midland
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27Apr2021 dg
ReplyDeleteI did the same paddle as last year. Except this year, there were no rare bird to see or jackets to be found. This is a great spring paddle if you don't mind hopping over beaver dams. I went as far as Dam #4, which was in good shape this year and would have required hopping over.
20May2022, a canoe paddle. Early in the spring, I tried a canoe paddle up the Indian River from Darling Road. Ok, but you don't get too far. A week later, I came back and went downriver as in 2021 & 2020. On a calm day, that's a great small river paddle if you don't mind jumping a few beaver dams (2 to 4). I did have an incident at one dam, where my canoe floated away while I was photographing a Watersnake. Luckily, it got snagged and I survived! Other than the Watersnake, many bird species were observed. See iNaturalist.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2022-05-20&place_id=any&user_id=denisag2&verifiable=any
28Apr2023. By canoe (PHC).
ReplyDeleteThis is now four years in a row that I've done a canoe paddle on the Indian River below Darling Road. Always a great spring paddle. There's less to see in April than later in May, but the water is higher and the dams are easier to manage. I only got out of the canoe once - coming back upriver at the first dam. A pair of Trumpeter Swans were seen on the river and my first New World warbler sighting (a Yellow-rumped Warbler).
25Apr2024, PHC canoe
ReplyDeleteThe annual spring trip on the upper Indian River continues (#5). It was cool in the morning, so I didn't rush to get started early. But, it turned out to be a great paddle with sunny skies and calm winds. I only had to hop the first two dams. On this trip, I went ashore and explored a deciduous hill on the south side towards C10. That was worth the effort & time (a DGSS). I posted 20 observations to iNaturalist (denisag2, 2024-04-25).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2024-04-25&place_id=any&user_id=denisag2&verifiable=any
08May2025, PHC canoe, 11 km, cool day (6 - 10 C)
ReplyDeleteIt's been six years in a row now for the Indian River from Lanark C8 (Darling Rd) to C10. This year's trip was very similar to last year's. I turned around just past the deciduous forest hill - where I had lunch. No turtles were observed - too cold! I did capture a Broad-winged Hawk (posted to iNat) near the deciduous forest hill. For May 8th, the water was still high but I did have to hop over the first dam. The beavers have been busy - the first dam is quite high (2 ft above water).