FLATWATER
Nith River
Information on planning canoe or kayak paddles down the Nith River, near Paris Ontario.
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The Nith is our favourite spot for a weekend paddle. While it only has one good whitewater set (right at the end before it empties into the Grand River at Paris, Ontario), it's a much-beloved river. Its winding path through southern Ontario is such a pleasure to canoe. You can paddle the Nith as low as 5m3/s.
Wherever a road crosses the Nith is a put-in or a take-out, so we can customize a day paddle (and sometimes a one-nighter) for as long as we like. Staying overnight is always "stealth camping" without any official sites. We're not officially recommending anything here... :)
Planning information
Key features: It's mostly a spring-only river but some years the water level comes back up enough to paddle in the fall. In the summer the Nith falls to a water level that's not runnable except for right after a summer rainfall which can bring it back up temporarily.
Nights: Depends on how far you want to paddle. There are no official sites so you'll likely be "stealth camping." We've found several spots along the way. Not that I'm giving any advice here, but it's best to find spots farthest from roads and farms.
Paddling distance: Whatever you want it to be. Check out the 'Point-to-Point Distance Chart' below to see the length of almost all possible runs.
Shuttle distance: The distance from where you launched to where you take out. :)
Outfitters: There are a few Outfitters in the area that will do some guided spring runs on the Nith, namely Grand River Rafting and Grand Experiences.
River data: GRCA Nith River Flows. You can paddle the Nith on 5 m3/s and up.
Custom map
Blue markers represent possible put-ins, but there are far more than this further upstream. (Direct link)
Nith River point-to-point distance chart
We've mapped out the distances between every point of entry/exit on the Nith River from Philipsburg down to Paris. Use it like a multiplication table and you can find out how long your paddle is between any two points.
Live Nith water levels
The graph below draws from the same open-source water data the GRCA uses on their website. It's great for a glance, but for more details visit GRCA Nith River Flows.
You can paddle the Nith on 5 cms and up. Every paddler has their own upper limit but be sure to be super cautious when it's above 40. The rapids at the end of the river in Paris are a lot of fun for those with whitewater skill at 10-20 cms, but the wave trains will increase in size and danger as this river can rise to 400+ cms in the spring.
Recent flowrate
Historical flowrate
The Nith's rain response pattern
The Nith River does not hold moisture for very long. After a rainfall in the area, you'll see a considerable spike in flow like in the example chart here, but then it will quickly subside. In contrast, the Grand River watershed will retain the moisture and slowly release it into the river over a longer period.
River data like this can be found on the GRCA website.
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