Frankland River: white water

Frankland River:
white water, Circular Pool section

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Bridge Road to Sappers' Bridge

Very scenic paddle through towering forest with lots of thrills for moderately experienced white water paddlers.

Spring usually has best water levels.

11.2 m at Mt Frankland is paddleable, according to Albany Canoe Club. River is vastly different when in flood and should be avoided or treated with extreme caution.

Check water level at Mt. Frankland station

Duration
Bridge Road to Sappers' Bridge at low water, at a leisurely pace and with a long lunch break - 6 hours

The Bibbulman Track hut is close to the river.

Access
Check latest road conditions with CALM ranger, Walpole, before planning your trip.

As the river is only paddleable after winter rains some of the roads, mainly on the western side, are closed due to wash outs or slippery conditions on steep inclines.
- There is usually year round access to Bridge Road put-in, Circular Pool and Nornalup.
- During most winters there is access to Sappers' Bridge and eastern bank opposite Spike Road.
- Monastery Landing is not accessible during winter/spring or after rain as steep sections of Creek Road become too slippery, even for 4WD.

To get to Sappers' Bridge & environs:
1. From South Coast Highway - take Boxhall Road, then left onto Pedro Fireline for short distance, then right onto Brainy Cut Off - normal vehicles are usually ok but check with CALM ranger.
2. From Dingo Flat Road - Pedro Fireline, then right onto Brainy Cut Off.
3. From Bridge Road - right onto Nunn Road, right onto North Road, then right onto Tingle Drive East. 4WD may be necessary as there is one steep hill on dirt which is slippery when wet.

Paddling Notes

1 Bridge Road to Circular Pool : Grade 1* to gentle Grade 2* At normal winter/spring water levels this section is suitable for new white water paddlers with skills, with experienced supervision. It has some small rapids and one section where fallen logs may block the way. Scout from the bank and/ or portage if you can't see your way ahead. During flood the character of the river changes dramatically and havoc has been known in places where there are usually no problems.

2 Circular Pool Grade 2-3* , more difficult in higher water

Peter Speldewinde of Albany Canoe Club notes that at high water level the stopper at Circular Pool does not flush through.
Circular Pool is a difficult rapid. It is easy to get out and portage, river right bank, just below the small ford before the start of the rapid. The experienced paddler only should attempt Circular Pool and those not familiar with it should get out and inspect, again, river right bank. There are two big drops with big volume, big uneven stoppers and rocks - and a short fast moving stretch between the two main drops, again with rocks. There is likely to be thick foam at the bottom in the pool, making a swim here at best very unpleasant and at worst suffocating. It is also easy to lose gear here in the foam.

3 Below Circular Pool : Grade 1 to more difficult Grade 2* with turbulent water (safe swims) - for moderate paddlers There are several rapids between Circular Pool and Sappers' Bridge, some of them quite big drops, though none of the rapids are as difficult as Circular Pool. Much depends on the water level. Care must be taken with fallen logs, as the giant karri trees from the surrounding forest make formidable barriers across the river. These trees can come down at any time, though not frequently, so each new paddling season potentially has new logs down. Generally the foam builds up behind the logs across the river. I have seen the whole river blocked by a 2-3 metre wall of foam behind a giant karri log!

There is a long rocky rapid just above where Spike Road meets the river, with many small drops and logs. It may be possible to pick your way through, again depending on logs down and the water level. Sword grass on the bank and generally thick vegetation make portaging time consuming and hard work but if you're a bit lucky with the water level you won't have to do it. Gloves are a good idea for the sword grass. It is possible to take out at the end of this rapid as vehicle access is good on the eastern (river left) bank: Tingle Drive East, from either the north or the south.

* Above gradings suggested by Peter Whitmore Usually Sappers' Bridge is the take-out point, as there is mostly flat water and little excitement to Monastery Landing (no winter road access) and thence just flat water to Nornalup.

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1 Bridge Road to Circular Pool : Grade 1* to gentle Grade 2*	At normal winter/spring water levels this section is suitable for new white water paddlers with skills, with experienced supervision. It has some small rapids and one section where fallen logs may block the way. Scout from the bank and/ or portage if you can't see your way ahead. During flood the character of the river changes dramatically and havoc has been known in places where there are usually no problems.
2 Circular Pool Grade 2-3* , more difficult in higher water Peter Speldewinde of Albany Canoe Club notes that at high water level the stopper at Circular Pool does not flush through.	Circular Pool is a difficult rapid. It is easy to get out and portage, river right bank, just below the small ford before the start of the rapid. The experienced paddler only should attempt Circular Pool and those not familiar with it should get out and inspect, again, river right bank. There are two big drops with big volume, big uneven stoppers and rocks - and a short fast moving stretch between the two main drops, again with rocks. There is likely to be thick foam at the bottom in the pool, making a swim here at best very unpleasant and at worst suffocating. It is also easy to lose gear here in the foam.
3 Below Circular Pool : Grade 1 to more difficult Grade 2* with turbulent water (safe swims) - for moderate paddlers	There are several rapids between Circular Pool and Sappers' Bridge, some of them quite big drops, though none of the rapids are as difficult as Circular Pool. Much depends on the water level. Care must be taken with fallen logs, as the giant karri trees from the surrounding forest make formidable barriers across the river. These trees can come down at any time, though not frequently, so each new paddling season potentially has new logs down. Generally the foam builds up behind the logs across the river. I have seen the whole river blocked by a 2-3 metre wall of foam behind a giant karri log! There is a long rocky rapid just above where Spike Road meets the river, with many small drops and logs. It may be possible to pick your way through, again depending on logs down and the water level. Sword grass on the bank and generally thick vegetation make portaging time consuming and hard work but if you're a bit lucky with the water level you won't have to do it. Gloves are a good idea for the sword grass. It is possible to take out at the end of this rapid as vehicle access is good on the eastern (river left) bank: Tingle Drive East, from either the north or the south.
* Above gradings suggested by Peter Whitmore	Usually Sappers' Bridge is the take-out point, as there is mostly flat water and little excitement to Monastery Landing (no winter road access) and thence just flat water to Nornalup.