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Author Topic: Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation  (Read 440 times)

dave c

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Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation
« on: September 21, 2026, 11:38:40 AM »

I have a 12 jon boat w 5.5hp outboard.  If i travel down to train bridge, are there any issues getting back from current or depth?

Thanks in advance.
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sumasriver

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Re: Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2026, 02:37:22 PM »

Lowest spot is where sumas and vedder canal meet.  Can be low at the lowest tide.

You will have a great day.  The stretch around the tain bridge is very beautiful.

Will you be trolling the canal or anchor up casting spoons and spinners ?
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RalphH

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Re: Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2026, 04:48:06 PM »

Having watched boats go through where the Sumas joins the Canal I suggest you coordinate your voyage down and back with high  or rising tides. I can't say what it would be like now but in the past I seen most boats with Outboards need to raise the motor and pole through with oars during lower tide.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2026, 05:52:18 PM by RalphH »
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sumasriver

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Re: Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2026, 08:59:07 AM »

Ralph is correct.  Poling over the low spot where sumas joins vedder is common at low tide.

Just reading an interesting book on Sumas lake and the vedder canal construction.  Local first nation history.

Before We Lost the Lake - by Chad Reimer.

I actually went to school and played sports with Chad.   Great read on all the years and years of studies / failed starts / politics to get the Sumas lake drained.
Relevent now with all flooding occuring on sumas prairie and the loss of salmon, sturgeon and bird habitat.  Great read.
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clarki

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Re: Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2026, 01:55:11 PM »

One thing to watch out for is a strong ebbing tide in the canal downstream of the confluence with the Sumas Canal.  In my experience, the ebbing current can draw out the water from the Sumas creating very murky water conditions and low vis.
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sumasriver

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Re: Barrowtown Launch to Sumas Train Bridge boat Navigation
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2026, 03:25:28 PM »

Right side of river has deeper channel. Deeper channel moves quite close to shore when going downstream from the confluence.
I guess that would be south side of the river.  Use to bar fish this little channel when i was a kid.  We even bar fished it for steelhead.
We used to cast spoons right under the train bridge - then move out closer to the fraser casting towards the eastern shore line - fairly close to bank for coho.
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