The Upper Mersey River is part of the Mersey White Water Regional Reserve managed by Parks and Wildlife Service. It is the river reach between Rowallan Dam and Lake Parangana.
The river is used for recreational canoeing and rafting, swift water rescue courses, canoe slalom and wildwater racing.
You can find more information on the Paddle Tasmania website.
Recreational flow release
We typically provide a flow in the range of 19 to 27 cumecs.
For slalom training and competitions, the flow release is normally greater than 24 cumecs.
While the course can be paddled when Rowallan Dam is on spill, this is not recommended because the slalom gate lines can become a safety risk at flows above 35 cumecs.
Safety information
The requester of a water release must contact our control desk when they are ready to start paddling, and when they are finished for the day.
Mobile reception is poor at the paddling site, the phone at the Arm River Outdoor Education Centre is normally used to make calls to our control desk at beginning and end of a paddle opportunity.
Conditions where releases are reduced or declined
A flow request may be declined if:
River flow plots
You can find a plot of the Mersey River flow on our water flow and levels page.
The Forth River below Lake Paloona is popular for beginners and often used for wild water races and training.
The Tasmanian Canoe Club's Slalom Course and training area is located approximately 8.5 kilometres upstream of the village of Forth. It is used extensively for teaching moving water basics and slalom.
We typically provide a flow in the range of 27-34 cumecs.
For slalom competitions, the preferred flow release is normally 34 cumecs.
While the course can be paddled when Paloona Dam is on spill, this is not recommended as the slalom gate lines can become a safety risk.
Mobile reception is poor at the paddling site, 30 minutes is allowed for a call-in.
The Forth Weir at the water treatment plant, below the slalom course, is not safe for paddling. Portage is well before the weir, on on the left-hand side if the river is low. Please observe any warning signs.
A flow request may be declined when:
You can find a plot of the Forth River flow on our water flow and levels page.
Bradys Slalom Course in Woodwards Canal is a short slalom course fed by water from Bronte Lagoon. The Bradys Slalom Course was, for many years, Australia's premier slalom course. It is an excellent venue for competent paddlers to practice their whitewater skills.
Recreational flow releases
The typical flow requested is 19 cumecs.
The event organiser, or their proxy, must be present at the gate when the operator manually adjusts the gates to commence the release to receive safety instructions.
Mobile reception is patchy in the immediate area of the course.
River level plots
You can find a plot of Bronte Lagoon on our water flow and levels page.
Cataract Gorge is a high-profile grade 4 paddling location and has long been a favourite of the paddling community.
We offer the paddling community two paddling releases each year at Cataract Gorge. To keep up-to-date on these releases follow our Water Recreation Facebook page.
Paddling flows preferred are in the range of 25 to 30 cumecs. The upper reaches of Cataract Gorge (above the First Basin) will be suitable for paddling well before the basin has filled and the flow reaches the lower section of Cataract Gorge.
There are safety issues regarding the presence of individuals on the river bed becoming trapped or isolated as the flows increase. We now have a ramp rule in place to reduce the risk of this occurring, by increasing flows.
When releases for paddling result in the water level in the First Basin rising to higher than normal levels, the Launceston City Council places warning signs up in the area to advise the public.
We will only support releases at this site for high profile events.
You can find a plot of the South Esk River - Cataract Gorge flow on our water flow and levels page.
The Derwent River below Meadowbank Power Station is very popular with paddlers and can be divided into several sections: Meadowbank - Gretna - Big Bend - Railway Bridge - Bryn Estyn.
The Derwent Canoe Club is based at Plenty and often requests flows for training purposes.
School trips and commercial operators also run river trips, starting downstream of Meadowbank Dam.
Recreation flow release
The normal flow request for the Derwent River is 27 cumecs as it creates a good surf wave. Paddling still takes place at flows above 34 cumecs, but is less of an experience for seasoned paddlers.
Mobile reception in the immediate area is variable. Lead times on flows can mean flows are often well-established before any call-in would be made.
Requested flow establishment will depend on the paddling start location.
You can find a plot of the Derwent River below Meadowbank on our water flow and levels page.
On approval of a water release, the contact telephone number for our control desk will be provided. The request owner is required to contact our control desk when they are ready to start paddling on the river. The discharge from the dam / power station will then be adjusted in line with the flow request. Failure to contact the control desk will result in the release being cancelled. The request owner is also required to contact our control desk when they are finished for the day.