Paddling on the Oldman River

Oldman River - A technical class II+/III run depending on flows. Expect small ledges, waves, and holes as you progress through multiple short canyons. Past the confluence with the Livingston there are a few larger rapids. Above the Livingston there are a few tight turns where logs may be a potential danger.

Oldman River - The spectacular Gap Run starts at the top of the canyon where the Oldman River cuts through the Livingstone Range. This run is characterized by gigantic boulders in random patterns that have fallen off the mountain slopes and been carried downstream during flood events. Gap Falls is a 20 ft plunge onto slab rock and most paddlers elect to portage around the Falls on the south side. The huuuge eddy above a sloping headwall provides an easy identification for the Falls. Pull off on river right. Find the goat track that angles up the headwall and continue on the path over the ridge. 200 meters below the Falls is the hardest rapid on this reach, Cave Rapids, with several ledges between rock gardens. At medium to low flows class III and at higher flows a Class IV. There are lots of short rapids below this with some good play features and surfing waves.

Oldman River - This run that connects the Upper Oldman run to the Gap run has less whitewater and more wood hazards. It does have some fun features but they are not as frequent,

Oldman River - The Whaleback Run on the Oldman River is a spectacular Grade II reach running from the massive rock wall, the Livingstone Range, below the Whaleback ridges and the Bob Creek Wildland Park. There are 2 Class III rapids, the first is a larger ledge underneath the powerline and the last one is just above the takeout at the Hwy 22 Bridge campground. There are numerous Class II ledges and boulder gardens that provide a diversity of river features and lots of fun for intermediate paddlers. A blue heron rookery in a large cottonwood tree grove, bald eagle nests, and some interesting bedrock features make this run very interesting.

Oldman River - Waldron Falls is a longer series of many ledges that combine to form a complex rapid. Easy access, camping on site and short length makes this a great park and slide that can be repeated as often as desired.

Oldman River - This half-day trip starts below the Waldron Falls and runs down to Olin Creek. It has a number of small ledges with riffles and pools. Good intro to intermediate run for anything from tandem canoes to kayaks.

Oldman River - Boulder Run was built by the Provincial government as compensation to the paddling community for the flooding of the Castle, Crowsnest and Oldman river valleys in 1990. In 2016, Boulder Run was rebuilt for the 4th time because of the regular floods. In this iteration the rapids were shortened into a steeper 250 m length with some good play features and surfing waves. There are 2 rapids above the slalom course, the first is directly below the outlet tunnels and the second is below the corner where the outlet channel meets the main channel.

Oldman River - An easy float from Boulder Run down to the Summerview Bridge with good fishing.

Oldman River - A winding river run through a prairie landscape bordered by the mountains to the west and the Porcupine foothills to the east.