O'Keeffe property (3861 County Rd 1E, RR2, Yarker)

Napanee River (between Yarker and Camden East)

Ontario, Canada

Clear, slow moving water throughout the year and approximately 6-7 feet in depth throughout the Summer. The river is approximately 80 feet across at this location. Perfect recreation area for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking.

Small (but portage-able) rapids 1/2 km upstream and 1 km downstream.

Major falls at Yarker and Newburgh, otherwise the river is navigable from the beginning of the Napanee Watershed at the Depot Lakes in the north to the end of the watershed flowing into the Bay of Quinte at the town of Napanee.

Location created by
Lawrence O'Keeffe

Latest photos

View all photos

Unable to test on the 26 Jan weekend because the river had iced over on 15 January 2024, but due to the mild weather (above 0C for the last week +), the river is now fully open (02 Feb 24).

02 Feb 10:30 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

No significant snow so far this season. After a drought since mid August, the rains have restored the water levels in the river, our ponds and active springs. The well is now 1' above the normal static level.

29 Dec 10:00 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

Good news with the heavy rain (28 mm) on Tuesday ... the active Spring on the property has re-started after being inactive since July. We have had near drought conditions since the last major rainfall in mid-August ... many dug and some drilled wells went dry this Summer for the first time in 30+ years. Water levels in the river remain at the lowest level (= lowest level during the August dry period).

24 Nov 10:00 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

Unseasonably warm over last week with the temperature forecast to drop sharply this coming week. Next to no rain since mid August until late this week (around 10mm). Many wells in the area have gone dry. River and pond levels down about 12+ inches (or more) compared to normal levels at this time of year.

28 Oct 10:10 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

Painted turtles on the river

30 Sep 10:30 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

Lots of duckweed on the river and very low water level for this time of year (more like the end of July into August levels).

23 Jun 10:15 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

4" of rain over the last two weeks, 2" of which over the last 24 hours. River level is still receding slowly, but the level is still about 12+" above the normal Summer level.

01 May 10:06 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

First time in the 10 years we have been here when the river has not frozen over (except for one week in January '23).

Lots of Hooded and Common Mergansers and Wood Ducks on the river this week on their annual migration route.

24 Mar 11:00 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

Partial cloud today and cooler than normal today compared to higher temperatures earlier this week and into this weekend and next week. The water level is higher than normal for this time of year.

Six painted turtles are enjoying the sunlight on a log across the river.

23 Sep 11:45 by Lawrence O'Keeffe

95 mm of rain over 36 hours earlier this week

26 Aug 10:00 by Lawrence O'Keeffe