Whitewater.ca

Overview

Beginning on Newfoundland's Labrador plateau, the Magpie River flows untouched through hundreds of kilometers of lake dotted virgin forests of pine and multi-coloured moss, hurling down steep granite gorges and off spectacular falls before emptying into the St. Lawrence River. Our only access to this seldom seen corner of North American wilderness is by float plane. Using self-bailing paddle rafts, we run Class 4 rapids, explore remote glacial-gouged lakes and gorges, watch for moose, bear and osprey, and bask in the canyon's extraordinary solitude.

Unfortunately the Magpie River is under threat of hydroelectric development whereby a proposed 30-foot dam will flood one of the most beautiful and challenging sections of the river. Other future proposals include dams that would destroy the 80-foot high Magpie Falls, one of the most impressive features found on any commercially rafted river. Join Esprit and Earth River Expeditions on the Magpie "Paddling for Preservation" expedition and help raise awareness for its plight.