West Kiewa - Dungey Track to Diversion dam

River: West Kiewa

Section: Dungey Track to Diversion dam

Level: 0.81 dropping to 0.76 (gauge 300m up from Diversion Dam)

River Length: 6km

Team: Markus, Gary, Oli, Tim, Jiri

The West Kiewa is a river that keeps you honest.  Starting off with 7km of hiking with your boat – you’re hoping the return on investment is worth it.    The river starts off with about  500m of calm  water, and once this is over it gets to almost one continuous rapid until you reach the take out  - out of breath and with a smile (or terrified grin) from ear to ear.  

We started off with a chat to the local hydro technician who was out clearing roads and diverting water.  He strongly suggested we avoid any trees in the river, he was one of team who helped rescued a kayaker 2 years ago who had had to break his legs to exit his kayak. With this in mind we set off on our walk.  The road gate is only opened the week of Melbourne cup.  Some carried using fancy harness, others used the trusted shoulder, while Yoda simply levitated his kayak and willed it to the put in. 

The river is excellent, continuous steep, and a great water level.  There’s a fair bit of wood around, although we only had to get out once  for a log and once for a sievey drop.   Many steep bouldery rapids, and about halfway along the section, Gary announced. “We’ve paid off our walk – now it’s all fun!” Just when you think its easing off there’s a brilliant slide and some more excellent clean drops.  The last rapid of the day was so easy Gary decided to throw go up side down over some rocks, throw his paddle away, hand roll up and then call the wayward paddle back to its master – all very impressive.

Yoda going for the Boof

After 2hrs and 30 minutes we reached the diversion dam, content that the 2hrs walking and 5hrs of driving that day was well worth it!  It’s also a river where a honest appraisal of your own ability is a good thing, there are many sieves that you find yourself ferry just meters above. At the level we did it –it was a hard grade 4 river, a little more water and things would get serious...