Finding Wilderness

Archive for the ‘Flatwater Rivers’ Category

Winchester Wasteway is a great single or multi-day float in a wildlife-rich high desert environment. Located in Western Washington near Moses lake, it flows through sand dunes to Potholes Reservoir. Here is a map of the location. The shuttle is about 13 miles whether you do the close takeout or the full trip. If you do the full trip there is a waterfall at the place where the canal flows into the reservoir that must be portaged, then a three-mile paddle to the takeout at Potholes Reservoir State Park.

The area is called the Potholes because of the many ponds and small lakes that are scattered throughout the sand dunes. A couple of small lakes are crossed when floating the canal, and campsites can be located near other larger lakes within portage distance. It makes for an even more varied trip.

The canal picks up speed after the alternate early takeout at the end of Road C SE. It takes on more of the character of a mountain stream, and there are rocks to dodge.

Winchester Wasteway is a great single or multi-day flat water river float in a wildlife-rich high desert environment.  Located in Western Washington near Moses lake, the canal flows through sand dunes to Potholes Reservoir.   Map.

The shuttle is about 13 miles whether you do the early takeout at the end of Road C SE or you float all the way to the reservoir.  If you do the full trip there is a waterfall where the canal flows into the reservoir that must be portaged, then a three-mile paddle to the takeout at Potholes Reservoir State Park.

Kayaking on Winchester Wasteway in April - Dave Elton Photo

The area is called the Potholes because of the many ponds and small lakes that are scattered throughout the sand dunes. A couple of small lakes are crossed when floating the canal, and campsites can be located near other larger lakes within portage distance. It makes for an even more varied trip.

Entering one of the ponds. Photo by Dave Elton

The canal picks up speed after the alternate early takeout at the end of Road C SE. It takes on more of the character of a mountain stream, and there are rocks to dodge.

Below Road C SE, the flow is more like a mountain creek -- Photo by Dave Elton