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Colour Paddling in Elgin County

The abundant rainfall of the past few months may have put a damper on some of your summer activities, but there is a silver lining – declining water levels of most summers haven’t happened this year.
If you own or can borrow some paddling equipment, why not add a colour paddle to your fall drive or hike. Kids and adults can both enjoy a sunny fall day and the possibility of spying wildlife including beaver, deer, great blue herons and more.

Here are just a few nearby canoeing or kayaking possibilities:

Put in at the Dalewood Bridge just north of St. Thomas and paddle out the north end of Dalewood Lake on Kettle Creek. In early spring it is sometimes possible to make your way right to the Dan Patterson Conservation Area. Later in the year you will probably bottom out somewhere midway.

At Port Bruce, Catfish Creek wends its way north from Lake Erie. There is a spot to park under the bridge on Imperial Road just before it crosses over the creek.

Depending upon the day and your craft, you can launch on the beach at Port Burwell and follow Otter Creek north from the town. If the lake is not smooth, there is a launch for fee at Bradfield Marina, 3 Hurley Street.

In the valley west of Iona Station on Fingal Line (just east of Port Talbot) the road crosses over Talbot Creek. The creek there is an easy paddle north or south toward Lake Erie.

If you work up an appetite, restaurants in both Port Burwell and Port Bruce provide Lake Erie fish specialties and other tasty fare.

Use of this information is at the reader’s risk and discretion. As with all outdoor and water activities, safety and common sense are required: watch out for motorized boats; take insect repellent; wear a life jacket; follow posted rules in conservation areas; respect private property; and match skill level to your activity.

Photos (left to right): Ducks relaxing on a log in Catfish Creek; A blue heron in Otter Creek; Cliffs near Port Talbot; Kayakers on Catfish Creek

Watershed Fast Facts

Sitting quietly, surrounded by water, tends to get you thinking about its quality. In Elgin County, four Conservation Authorities are responsible for monitoring what’s happening with the water in their respective watersheds.

Waterways in Elgin County are the responsibility of The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, Long Point Region Conservation Authority and The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.
A watershed or drainage basin is an area of land that drains into a river or lake. A drop of water that lands anywhere inside this boundary will eventually end up draining into the lowest point (e.g. mostly into Lake Erie). Since the boundary is based on the natural shape of the land, the watershed can fall across many municipal boundaries.
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority watershed, for example, drains 510 square kilometres of land on the north shore of Lake Erie. The main branch originates at Lake Whittaker, an 11 hectare groundwater-fed kettle lake.
Each of the Conservation Authorities carries out unique and programs aimed at wildlife conservation, watershed conservation and environmental education.

Photos (left to right): Exposed roots along the Talbot Creek shoreline; Local artist Darren Thompson, paddling Talbot Creek on his day off; A red-winged black bird; The view of Kettle Creek from the bow

FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca
www.catfishcreek.ca
www.lprca.on.ca
www.lowerthames-conservation.on.ca