During freshet, the lands near Tranquille flood and we can paddle the bays and channels on both sides of the river.      We have to wait until the water rises above the fences which is usually the end of May.    I launched from the parking area near the junction of the road into Tranquille and the Tranquille Criss Creek Road and paddled out and cleared the fence into the bay.

It was a calm day and the hills reflected into the lagoon.

Willow stands rise above the floodlands like small islands.

We can paddle right down to Cooney Bay, but on this day, I paddled through the bays and channels in a clockwise 6 km loop.

The water is fairy still in the bays and back channels. but the river continues to run down to the lake.   On other days, i paddle across to the other side and go up the channels to create a loop route.   On this day, I wound through channels on the north side of the river.

The pasture in from of Mt. Mara becomes Mara Bay with the mountain reflected in the still water.

The floodlands provide the best paddling of the year in June each year.   We will be back a few more times.