Weirs

One of the least concerning looking hazards is actually one of the most lethal dangers that you are likely to encounter on the lower Macintyre and Barwon rivers. Unlike most of the weirs in populated centres, the weirs are usually unmarked or poorly marked, especially in the more remote rivers. In the right conditions some weirs can be hard to see from a distance, stay alert.

The dangers posed by a weir are very dependent on the flow. With no flow it is just a hassle to portage over it. With very high flows it may be fully submerged and may not even create a ripple. However, with the right flow many of the weirs can create a perfect hydraulic across the structure that even the most experienced paddler may not be able to escape.

There is only one way to safely navigate a flowing weir, to portage around it. The current can be deceptively strong near the weir, so stay close to the river bank and exit well before the weir. Below the weir wall there will likely be a strong upstream current going back towards the weir as the eddy flow is recirculating back. Finish your portage below well below these currents.