North Thompson Channel
This is a paddling spot that few people know, partly because it is mostly invisible from roads and partly because it can only be paddled at high water. Put your boat into the water at any of the river access points off Banks Road. We went down from the end of Cooper Place, but there are several launch spots in this area. Paddle across the river and enter the channel at the south end directly opposite Garnet Road (at N50 45.530 W120 20.324) paddling upstream for one mile in the back channel. Watch for beavers, shore birds, and an eagles nest. Emerge from the channel at a narrows and float downstream to your launch spot.
A rough way to tell if the water is high enough is to go to the following website: http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/index_e.html. Choose “Text Search”, then B.C., then look for the “North Thompson river at McLure” station. If the raw water level (blue line) is above 2.95m, you can likely get all the way through the channel.
We paddled the channel again today. Lots of birds – eagles, ducks, ducklings, and various shoreline birds. Saw a beaver cross the channel ahead. Peaceful and secluded. A little bit of harder paddling at the narrows. Within two weeks the channel will disappear…
We paddled through today as the water level drooped from 2.9 to 2.8. The narrowest spots at the north end were just possible, but it looks like by tomorrow, it will be too late. Still a great spot to explore. We saw a beaver on the way out. Lots of birds too.