The Noire River downstream from km 83 offers world-class whitewater canoeing with 14 rapids ranging from Class I to IV, including the famous technical runs that make this one of Quebec's 'Three Sisters' rivers. This challenging multi-day expedition features 9 portages and 10 established campsites along 60+ kilometers of pristine wilderness, with sandy beaches perfect for rest days and skill practice. The river's pushy current and tight technical runs provide excellent whitewater training, while the surrounding Canadian Shield landscape offers spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife viewing. Professional outfitters provide comprehensive support including shuttles, equipment rental, and guided options for this bucket-list wilderness experience.
This route's document cites a hydrometric station. The links below open the operating agency's current reading.
The gauge is on Dumoine, Rivière, not the river you are paddling. The document cites it anyway: "Station hydrométrique 041902 (Rivière Noire) and 041308 (Rivière Coulonge)"
The document describes 14. The map shows 13, because it only places rapids a national survey publishes a coordinate for. The two counts measure different things.
| Rapid | Class | Portage | Surveyor's note |
|---|---|---|---|
| rapides de l'Ours | near km 83 starting point | ||
| R1 | yes | Rapids with cotar svp notation | |
| R2 | Passage R2 intéressant et bel endroit de baignade à gauche dans le deuxième virage | ||
| R1 | |||
| R1-2 | |||
| Rapids Jam Rock | R3 | yes | 50m planiol, 100m |
| Rapids Manitou | R2-3 | yes | 30m |
| Rapide Karma | R2-3 | 30m | |
| Rapide 50-50 | R3 | yes | |
| Rapides Hunt Club | R1 | yes | 30m rapids at Hunt Club area |
| Hunt Club R2 | R2 | yes | 100m rapids |
| Rapides de l'Ours | R2-3 | yes | Bear rapids, 60m long |
| R2 | Rapids near km 80 | ||
| R4 | Class 4 rapids near km 80 |
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 Charles Leduc, 2026-01. NoireOutaouaisLeduc2025.pdf
The document describes 9 portage(s).
| Portage | Length | Bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Un de 60 à 175m au km 83 (R4) | 175 m | ||
| Un de 100m au km 47 (rapide S0-S0 : R3) | 100 m | ||
| Deux de longueur variable dans deux séquences de rapides de difficulté hétérogène, qui comportent chacun un 30 à 50m de rapides plus difficiles (classes 2-3 et 3). Aux km 39 et 38. | 50 m | classes 2-3 et 3 | |
| R1-2 planiol | 200 m | ||
| R1 portage | 100 m | ||
| R1-2 portage | 100 m | ||
| Hunt Club R1 portage | 30 m | ||
| Hunt Club R2 portage | 100 m | ||
| Bear rapids portage | 175 m | rive gauche | P175m à G (total) |
The document describes 10 campsite(s).
Noire - downstream of km 83 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 June-September.
Noire - downstream of km 83 River is located in the Outaouais region of Canada.
cartespleinair.org · expeditionsrivierenoire.com · whitewater.ca · paddlingmag.com · voyageurtripper.com · mhoadventures.com
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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