North Thames River Canoe Route arys

St. Marys to Delaware

Section 2: Fanshawe Dam to Springbank Dam
Rannoch St. M

Highbu
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Adela
k Trip length 22 km (4 hours)
St. Marys Cree N. Branch
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UWO • below Fanshawe Dam in Fanshawe CA
University • Gibbons Park
N Gibbons Park • London Canoe Club
• most bridge crossings
Section 1: St. Marys to Oxford
Portages/Obstacles
Fanshawe Dam • Fanshawe Dam
concrete weir

Wonderland
Trip length 30 km (6 hours) Harris Park • liftover 1 m concrete weir below Oxford St
• Springbank Dam

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Gregory Cr.

• Fanshawe CA

San
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Springbank Greenway S. B
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Dam Park • Forks Park
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Byron me • Greenway Park
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Canoe Club . • Springbank Park
N Springbank Park Camping
• Fanshawe CA

. #16
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Section 3: Springbank Dam to Delaware
Trip length 19 km (4 hours) R
es
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Th
Springers Cr.
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Oxford
County Rd.
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#14
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Thorndale Springbank
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Komoka Dam
#1.

Access Points Byron London

6

• Blue Heron Drive near Rannoch

or Thomas St. in St. Marys Springbank Park
• Fanshawe Lake boat launch
• most bridge crossings
Access Points
Fanshawe C.A. Portages/Obstacles • below Springbank Dam in Springbank Park
• some liftovers during low flow • Delaware CA
• most bridge crossings
Picnic Dingman Cr.
• numerous parks in St. Marys Portages/Obstacles
• Fanshawe CA • none
Cr.

Delaware
e
Wy

Camping Picnic/Camping
Beach Delaware CA • Oriole Park Resort near Komoka
• Wildwood CA 7 km east of
Pioneer Village St. Marys Longwoods Rd. • Delaware CA (no services)
Camp • River View Campground
Boat Launch • Prospect Hill Camping Grounds
• Fanshawe CA
• Valley View Campground This brochure is a general guide only. Canoe at your own risk.
The St. Marys to Delaware canoe route is very scenic and Dam. It is a short portage around the dam on the Springbank Canoe Rentals
diverse, passing through farm fields, pastures, forests, city Park side of the river (left or south side). The dam gates are Check the yellow pages of your phone book under “canoes”
neighbourhoods and parkland. It is suitable for the novice to closed from mid-May to mid-October, creating flat water for a listing of places to rent or buy a canoe or kayak.
intermediate canoeist as there are no difficult rapids. There conditions from the dam to the Forks.
are, however, rocks and boulders to avoid especially in low
water conditions. This 71 km route can be paddled as a Maps
series of day trips or as a two day trip, camping overnight
Section 3: Springbank Dam to Delaware The maps on this brochure, combined with a road or county
Downstream of Springbank Dam, the river meanders through map (Perth, Middlesex), should provide enough detail for
at Fanshawe Conservation Area (open April - October) or at
larger forests and steeper river bluffs. There are several small canoeing this route. For additional maps and air photos,
private campgrounds in the area.
islands in the middle of the river to negotiate around. The go to the UTRCA web site at www.thamesriver.on.ca. For
landscape becomes flatter as you approach Delaware. Just topographic maps, go to the Natural Resources Canada web
Canoeing the Upper Thames before the Longwoods Road bridge, look for a narrow foot site at www.maps.nrcan.gc.ca/topographic.html.
The maps on the reverse side show the route, major roads, trail on the east (left) bank that leads to the public access
parks and obstacles. The trip length in hours does not include parking lot of Delaware CA (Gideon Drive and Wellington
driving time (e.g. car shuffle). The river can be accessed Street). Flow Variability
from most bridge crossings throughout, but popular access Flow in the North Thames and Thames River varies
points are noted. significantly throughout the year, ranging from 2 cubic
Drinking Water metres per second (cms) in a dry August to over 50
Thames River water is NOT suitable for drinking, even with cms during spring flood conditions. Flows downstream
Section 1: St. Marys to Fanshawe Dam the use of purification tablets. Carry drinking water with you. of the Forks in London are generally more reliable
St. Marys, the “Stonetown”, is a picturesque start to your for canoeing, while Section 1 may only be canoeable
trip. Canoe access is best from the west side of the river, Private Lands in early spring. Never canoe during a flood event or when
below the weir (e.g. Thomas Street or Blue Heron Drive). Respect the rights of private landowners. Take nothing but boating bans or advisories are in effect. Check river conditions at
As you paddle down the North Thames, the river meanders pictures, leave only ripples on the water from your paddle. www.thamesriver.on.ca. Levels of 6-20 cms upstream of the
through rolling agricultural fields and narrow forests. The This will help to ensure future goodwill for other canoeists. Forks are generally suitable for canoeing.
river bank is high and steep on one side and more gentle on
the other.
The water slows as you enter Fanshawe Reservoir. The Plants and Animals Other Canoe Routes on the Thames
reservoir is about 6 km long and used by other boaters, so be A variety of tree species are adapted to life near the water’s 1. Thames River from Delaware to Lake St. Clair (for
aware. Fanshawe CA has many attractions including a day use edge including Manitoba maple, basswood, poplar, willow, brochure call Lower Thames Valley Conservation
and beach area, campground and the Fanshawe PioneerVillage. ash, sycamore, hackberry and black walnut. Some of the Authority at 519-354-7310 or email ltvca@MNSi.net).
For more information and permits, call 519-451-2800 or go to animals canoeists may encounter include muskrat, beaver, 2. South Thames from Putnam to Dorchester*
www.thamesriver.on.ca. mink and racoon. Painted and spiny softshell turtles can 3. Middle Thames from Thamesford to Putnam*
Take your canoe out at the public docks/launch on the often be seen basking on logs on sunny days. Common birds 4. North Thames from Fullarton to St. Marys*
north side of the reservoir just before Fanshawe Dam. Follow include great blue heron, Canada goose, mallard, belted * no brochure available; water level dependent
the gravel roads to the launch site and parking lot below kingfisher, bank swallow and gray catbird.
the dam. A portable toilet is provided. In the off-season This brochure was produced by:
(October - April), there is no car access into the park past the Upper Thames River Conservation
dam on weekends or evenings.
Fishing Authority
Along this route it is possible to catch rainbow trout, common 1424 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 5B9
carp, brown bullhead, white sucker, bluegill, yellow perch, (519) 451-2800 www.thamesriver.on.ca © UTRCA 2006.
Section 2: Fanshawe Dam to Springbank Dam pickerel, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass and
Entering London you wind past bluffs, forests and city northern pike. All anglers must hold a valid fishing license. Sponsored by:
neighbourhoods. Several small rapids are encountered. You Nova Craft Canoe
can stretch your legs at any of the public parks on the river Canoe Safety 471 Nightingale Avenue
(Harris, Gibbons, Forks, Springbank). Most have washrooms The law requires life jackets be worn when canoeing. Canoe in London, ON N5W 4C4
and port-a-johns, open in summer. groups for safety. Be alert and use your judgement. If in doubt (519) 455-6252 or 1-866-88 CANOE
The river widens a bit as you enter the main channel of of a rapid, portage around it. It is best to learn canoeing from www.novacraft.com
the Thames at the Forks in downtown London. About 5 professionals. For more information on canoeing, contact the Visit our factory showroom for all your
km downstream, you’ll see the docks of the London Canoe Ontario Recreational Canoe Association (www.orca.on.ca) Canoeing and Kayaking needs. Sales, Service, Rentals
Club (no canoe rentals). You can take your canoe out here at or the London Canoe Club (www.londoncanoeclub.ca).
the parking lot or continue 3 km downstream to Springbank