Portage River - Foxley/Trout River, PEI

 
I started exploring the Foxley/Trout River system in 2020 and continued this year with two more trips.  The first trip was to the Portage River from Route 12 Goff’s Bridge launch site. The launch site is at the NW corner of Goff’s Bridge and is heavily used by the aquaculture oyster industry. With all the aquaculture farming activities in the area, the Foxley/Trout River system is best for paddling and limited sailing - the sail-&-oar MYS15 skiff is the best choice.

Portage River and track (July 20, 2021)

On July 20, I planned to sail or row across the Trout River and then head up the Portage River to check out the INT property bordering the Portage River to the east. My first stop was on the west bank of the Portage River to explore, and then I crossed over to the east shore and went for a walk in the INT property. The winds were pretty light, but I did manage to sail to the end of the Portage River.

Oyster aquaculture operation

MYS15 in Portage River

The INT property includes a large wetland bordering the Portage River with all kinds of vegetation. One shrub I observed there is Swamp Birch, apparently relatively rare in PEI (S2). There were also butterflies and dragonflies in the area (e.g. Common Wood-Nymph, Common Whitetail).  For other nature obnservations (iNaturalist), click HERE.

After walking to Tory Road through the forest, I returned to the boat and started the trip back. Unfortunately, the wind had given up, so it was the oars all the way back. But before leaving the Portage River, I did make a lunch stop on a walkable beach on the east side of the river.

Swamp Birch (rare in PEI)

Shore access (east bank, Portaaage R)

The Portage River needs another trip by kayak to allow for more exploring options and a longer walk in the INT property. Even though it’s more developed, a kayaking trip to the west of Goff’s Bridge would be nice for exploring the Trout, George, and Mary Rivers.

Wetland (bottom of Portage River, INT property)

Goose Creek - Grand River, PEI

 

The Grand River source is above the town of Wellington and flows out into Malpeque Bay. It’s a 15km waterway from Wellington to Belmont Park (Malpeque Bay). The river is about 3km wide at its mouth in Malpeque Bay and still 0.5km wide upriver at the bridge. At 1km above the Grand River bridge, the river narrows considerably – it’s only 50m wide at the highway 2 bridge and about 10m in Wellington. The Grand River is wide and deep enough for sailing below the Grand River bridge (10km) – especially at high tide.  Going upriver from the Grand River bridge, it’s best to be paddling or rowing. 

Grand River (above main bridge)

July 19 didn’t look like a great sailing day, so I decided to go and explore a part of the Grand River by kayak (WD12). The main launch point for the Grand River is in the SE corner of the Grand R. bridge. The oyster fishers/farmers have a crude ramp there and a good parking area. In the past, I have launched the MYS15 skiff at the Grand R. bridge.  

Common sight at the Grand River bridge launch

After launching the WD12, I headed upriver following the east shore and then into Goose Creek. The Goose Creek area is a large wetland, and I did go ashore to explore. I didn’t see too much interesting on my walk, but afterwards, I noticed something very particular on the eastern edge of the wetland. There’s a north-south line of 10 donut shapes visible on Google Earth!  They are all about 30m in diameter with a center of 10m. It’s something interesting to figure out! See Rosemary’s note below.

Marsh at Goose Creek/River

After some more paddling upriver, I went ashore on the west bank (across from Goose Creek) for a break and a short walk. Onshore, I was lucky to observe and photograph a globally rare butterfly (Salt Marsh Copper). I slightly detoured to investigate the small inlet leading to  Leckys Pond and the Smelt River on the paddle back towards the bridge.  A short dam blocks the access to Leckys Pond and the Smelt River - getting in there will require some portaging!

Salt Marsh Copper butterfly (rare)

Belted Kingfisher

Another place that would be interesting/fun to explore is the old Grand River airport. It’s still visible on Google Earth and could be accessed via the Little Trout River (something for next year). There’s also a PEI demo woodlot and trails (Camp Tabawaby) adjacent to the airport and bordering the Grand River.  Also, I need to try a paddle downriver and into Nebraska Creek (another wetland system to explore).

Grand River, west bank

Inlet to Leckys Pond (blocked)

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(from Rosemary Curley, Nature PEI)

Hi Denis,
It was not done by Martians. Those circles were made by excavating the marsh to create some water areas on the upper marsh. I believe the actual work was done by Ducks Unlimited Canada, but it was through the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, which was a cooperative program of 5 eastern provinces, the feds and US Fed, and DUC. Probably early 1990s. I was program Manager for EJHV.

I don’t know that the donuts made at Grand River were very successful, for one thing, the follow-up was probably underwhelming.

Cheers,
Rosemary

Man-made water reservoir donuts (Goose Creek, 1990s)

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2024July23 Update

My July 23rd track, WD12, 7.4km

My nature observations (posted to iNaturalist) for July 23rd are HERE.
Similar to the 2021 trip, the highlight was a Salt Marsh Copper butterfly (globally rare).

This was a fun paddle to the DUC doughnut habitats. With high water, I was able to paddle pretty close to the northern most doughnut pond over the submerged marsh grass. After checking out "P1, N DUC", I tried to reach "P2, DUC" on foot but had to turn back due to Poison Ivy. Then, I paddled back to the Goose River, and made my way to check out the most southerly pond (P10, DUC). No ducks were observed at either ponds, but an interesting salt-marsh area with lots of nature.

Bald Eagles	Salt Marsh Copper butterfly
Goose River salt-marsh	DUC doughnut pond