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- Posted by
- cmkl
- Date posted
- Apr 5, 2003
- Date last travelled
Update 1999:
After many years, some of us went back to Irish Creek. It is still pretty much how it was originally desribed by Doug Wilson. The footbridge at the end of the path is no longer there, but it is still a good place to put in. We tried to walk along the railway tracks to the put in, but this is NOT recommended. In the short time we were at the put in/take out two trains came by at frightening speed. Even from about twenty feet away you could feel the suction from the passing train. If you were ever caught near the railway tracks with a canoe on your head you might do irreparable harm to the train. Exercise caution.
On the water we found that going upstream got more and more overgrown and weedy to the point that paddling was no longer fun. Being sheltered from the wind it was also fairly buggy. Going downstream (under the road bridge) there was much more open water, nice farmland scenery, although less wildlife and a bit windy.
I do not recommend Irish Creek upstream during the height of summer because of the weeds and bugs, but downstream to the Rideau and then either upriver to Killmarnock or downriver to Merrickville would be a nice day trip.
Original Write-up:
This is an ideal trip either for the early spring or a warm day in the fall. The area is a bit too marshy for swimming, but a canoe is a fine means to see the early fall colours. The map reference is the Merrickville sheet, 31 B/13 1:50,000 series.
Irish Creek is a small tributary of the Rideau River. It flows north into the Rideau between Smiths Falls and Merrickville, and drains the northeast corner of Leeds County. The creek's source is Irish Lake, a shallow pond ringed with bullrushes east of Highway 29 and south of Smiths Falls. From there, Irish Creek wends in a north-northeasterly direction across the flatlands towards Jasper. At Jasper, the creek widens considerably, and forms a long, wide inlet of the Rideau River.
One of the earliest plans for the Rideau Canal called for using Irish Creek. The plan was to dredge the creek and straighten it. A long artificial channel would then reach the headwaters of the Gananoque River and flow into the St. Lawrence. This plan was subsequently abandoned. Irish Creek was simply too small and there would have been a lengthy excavation. Also, the canal would have reached the St. Lawrence River at Gananoque, too close to the United States. The canal's original purpose was to provide the British with a passage to the west that was secure from U.S. raiding. A route to Gananoque would expose the canal to the United States. Thus it was decided to build the canal over the Rideau-Cataraquai River route, leading to Lake Ontario at Kingston.
Getting There
We will start the trip at the village of Jasper, where Irish Creek turns into a wide inlet of the Rideau River. Leaving the boathouse, drive down Woodroffe Avenue. Continue past the Queensway and Baseline Road. Continue going south until you reach Highway 16.
Drive along Highway 16. Cross the Rideau River. As you approach Kemptville, you will reach an intersection with Highway 43. Turn right, following the signs to Merrickville. Follow Highway 43 for about 22 kilometres to Merrickville. The road enters Merrickville along the southern edge of the Rideau River. At the main intersection, there is a right angle turn. Follow Highway 43, turning right and crossing the Rideau River at the locks. After the bridge, Highway 43 turns left, following the north bank of the river.
Continue west on Highway 43 from Merrickville for about six kilometres. The route will parallel the double track main line of CP Rail for part of the way. Eventually, the road and the railroad will separate. At Kilmarnock, the road will make a sharp turn to the right. This is marked (1) on the map. There will be a set of two prominent farm silos on the left. Just as you enter the turn, turn left onto a small road and cross the Rideau River. You will pass the Kilmarnock dam and lock station. There is a very small drop. Continue along the road for just over a kilometre and cross a marshy branch of the Rideau River.
The road then goes sharply to the right. One kilometre after the sharp turn is the hamlet of Wolford Chapel, marked (2) on the map. There is a large church on the right side of the road. The road splits here, with the main route going to the left. Do not take this turn; continue straight ahead. There will be good views on the left of the wide inlet into which Irish Creek flows. About two kilometres after Wolford Chapel, cross the railroad tracks and go left on the main road. The place is marked (3) on the map. Drive south for about a kilometre and enter the village of Jasper.
Jasper is at (4) on the map. There is an enlargement in the inset. Keep going straight ahead at the main crossroads in Jasper. There are buildings on the right and a parking area on the left. Park here. Do exercise caution about the railroad tracks, since the line is reasonably busy. A path leads to a footbridge crossing Irish Creek.
DISTANCES
0 km. - Boathouse
43.2 km. - Turn off Highway 16, onto Highway 43
65.0 km. - Merrickville
73.7 km. - Turn off Highway 43 to Kilmarnock
82.0 km. - Village of Jasper
On the Water
Put the canoes in the water and start heading upstream. The route leads through forests and marshy meadows. On a warm day, you may see turtles, herons and other wildlife. You may encounter beaver dams. At several places meadows come down to the water and these could be good places for lunch.
Returning Home
We could simply go back the way we came. Another idea is to return through Easton's Corners. Leave the parking lot and turn right. The road leads to Easton's Corners. Follow the signs to Merrickville. There is an excellent bakery on a side street in Merrickville.
