BWCA Maligne Current in August Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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awaterous
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03/05/2020 05:57PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
How strong is the current on the Maligne? It looks like a wide river on the map. We're planning to paddle upstream from Lac La Croix to Sturgeon in August. Thanks in advance for your input!
 
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marsonite
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03/05/2020 06:52PM  
It definitely has current. It is the same drainage as the Falls chain (and Namakan River) so it is pretty big water. My wife and I went down it 2 years ago in August, downstream (Sturgeon to Tanner). You can definitely paddle upstream, but you will notice a current. During high water, I wouldn't recommend it.

I believe "Maligne" is French for "bad" or something like that, which probably refers to the current and the number of portages. It is a very pretty river though.
AussieShep
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03/05/2020 09:17PM  
Did it in July 2001. There are some brief spots where you really have to bear down. You can get faked out if you watch the water by your canoe. It will look like you're really moving. The trick is to watch the shore or a an adjacent rock to gauge your velocity and ensure you are advancing.

Enjoy your trip!
03/06/2020 01:02PM  
Be VERY,VERY,VERY, careful when you begin your journey at Twin Falls. It can be dangerous at any water level. Hug the left bank, and don’t try to cross over to the other side to soon!!
cyclones30
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03/06/2020 08:40PM  
walllee: "Be VERY,VERY,VERY, careful when you begin your journey at Twin Falls. It can be dangerous at any water level. Hug the left bank, and don’t try to cross over to the other side to soon!! "


This is talking below the falls as your'e approaching or once you're above and headed upstream?
03/06/2020 09:16PM  
cyclones30: "
walllee: "Be VERY,VERY,VERY, careful when you begin your journey at Twin Falls. It can be dangerous at any water level. Hug the left bank, and don’t try to cross over to the other side to soon!! "



This is talking below the falls as your'e approaching or once you're above and headed upstream?"
Once you are above and heading away from the top of the falls.
Troutbum77
member (26)member
  
03/07/2020 03:39PM  
Paddling from Sturgeon to Tanner, in a normal water year, are the portages evident? Are the falls loud enough to know when you're close? How long is the float from the mouth at Sturgeon to the mouth at Tanner?

I'm not a whitewater paddler and have contemplated the Maligne but the thought of dumping a canoe or getting injured has kept me away.
marsonite
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03/07/2020 07:20PM  
Troutbum77: "Paddling from Sturgeon to Tanner, in a normal water year, are the portages evident? Are the falls loud enough to know when you're close? How long is the float from the mouth at Sturgeon to the mouth at Tanner?


I'm not a whitewater paddler and have contemplated the Maligne but the thought of dumping a canoe or getting injured has kept me away. "


Nothing to worry about. The portages are easy to spot. My wife and I are pretty risk averse and didn't feel unsafe at all.
Troutbum77
member (26)member
  
03/08/2020 01:18PM  
marsonite: "
Troutbum77: "Paddling from Sturgeon to Tanner, in a normal water year, are the portages evident? Are the falls loud enough to know when you're close? How long is the float from the mouth at Sturgeon to the mouth at Tanner?



I'm not a whitewater paddler and have contemplated the Maligne but the thought of dumping a canoe or getting injured has kept me away. "



Nothing to worry about. The portages are easy to spot. My wife and I are pretty risk averse and didn't feel unsafe at all. "


Thank you. I'm also very risk averse so it's good to know there are others like me paddling that river!
marsonite
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03/08/2020 03:58PM  
The stretch from Sturgeon to Tanner is only about 5 miles so that's easily done in half a day. Not a lot to choose from for campsites though. We wound up camping on a site at the end of the last portage before Tanner...we were fleeing the wind on Sturgeon. Not the greatest site but the fishing was spectacular at the base of the rapids. Next morning we packed up and took the "eat-em-up" portage to the Darky river. Had to go all the way to Darky to find a site....that was a pretty long day with double portaging.
 
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