The Bras Saint-Nicolas Nord-Est offers expert-level whitewater through Quebec's Chaudière-Appalaches region with 13 rapids ranging from R1 to R4. This technical route features challenging Class III-IV drops requiring advanced skills, with 5 portages and limited camping (2 sites). The remote wilderness setting provides pristine paddling through mixed forest landscapes, but access is limited and conditions can be unpredictable. Best paddled during spring runoff when water levels support the more technical sections.
This route's document cites a hydrometric station. The links below open the operating agency's current reading.
The gauge is on Ouelle, Rivière, not the river you are paddling. The document cites it anyway: "Station 022704 (796 km²) sur la rivière Ouelle"
The document describes 13. The map shows 25, because it only places rapids a national survey publishes a coordinate for. The two counts measure different things.
| Rapid | Class | Portage | Surveyor's note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier long rapide R2 | R2 | Débute au 10 km | |
| R2 | R2 | ||
| R1 | R1 | ||
| R2 | R2 | Rapide classe 2 | |
| R3 | R3 | Rapide classe 3 | |
| R3-4 | R3-4 | yes G | Rapide classe 3-4 |
| R4 | R4 | Rapide classe 4 | |
| R2 | R2 | Rapide classe 2 | |
| R3-4 | R3-4 | yes G | Rapide classe 3-4 avec portage |
| R3 | R3 | Rapide classe 3 | |
| R3-4 | R3-4 | Rapide classe 3-4 | |
| R4 | R4 | yes G | Rapide classe 4 avec portage |
| R3-4 | R3-4 | Rapide classe 3-4 |
This table publishes no position for any rapid. Where a surveyor's note mentions a kilometre, those are their words quoted as written, and the figure was read off a scanned map: use it to follow their description, not to navigate. Most of these surveys were written in French.
Surveyed by David et André Faubert, 2023-05. BrasSaintNicolasNordEstFaubert2023.pdf
The document describes 5 portage(s).
| Portage | Length | Bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier seuil 3 de 2 mètres se franchit | not stated | ||
| P 75m à G | 75 m | G | |
| P 70m à G | 70 m | G | |
| P 100m à G | 100 m | G | |
| P 50m à D | 50 m | D |
The document describes 2 campsite(s).
Bras Saint-Nicolas Nord-Est River is rated Advanced. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.
The best time is May-June.
Bras Saint-Nicolas Nord-Est River is located in the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Canada.
cartespleinair.org · avenza.com · canot-kayak.qc.ca
Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use
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