Winchester Wasteway Canal, Lakes and Marshes
Winchester Wasteway Canal (Not to be confused with the Frenchman Hills Wasteway Canal, which is in the same area to the south) system that leads into and through small lakes/ponds and marshes that are teaming with wildlife such as deer, coyotes, otters, beavers, muskrats, and many species of waterfowl and fish. The canal primarily stays in one path the full length finally spilling into the northwest end of the Potholes Reservoirs.
There are only 3 developed public access points on this canal even though one could find some undeveloped access points as well. Be aware wilderness habitat rules via the states website or as posted.
This canal is accessed more than the Frenchman Hills Canal to the south for some strange reason. These two separate canals come within 2 miles of each other but never connect even with small channels.
Winchester canal is a beautiful place to paddle in early summer when the water levels are still up, but when the currents are slower. It's about a 25-mile paddling trip near I-90 interstate highway to the Potholes Reservoir. During spring runoff is the most dangerous time of the year to paddle/boat these canals due to high currents and sweepers. During late summer and later the water level can be very low. Beware of deep mud that can trap up to your knees and deeper. Also bring a 10 pole to help push your way through muddy areas versus trying to walk through, which we do not advise.
We have supplied the access sites here starting at where the canal starts (47°06'08.1"N 119°37'16.1"W, northern most access point), again right by I90 (exit 164) and just below the twin Winchester Wasteway Lakes, heading south, then east passing through some small lakes/ponds (going east) and continuous marsh, Dodson Rd access, through more Marsh and some descending white water and on into Potholes Reservoir.
Depending on what time of year you access the canal indicates how fast the currents will be and how big the rapids will be when getting close to the Potholes Reservoir. Being aware of one's skill level and attention to safety is paramount. Locals advise to be cautious due to potential sweepers and high currents at times. The access point noted below give more details about the potential barriers at various areas of the canal. The rapids are popular with locals but again one should check each rapid before entering it to determine if one should portage around it or if one has the skill to navigate through it. Note that there are two bridges one must be aware of. Depending on water depth you will need to portage around them or pass under them. One bridge is the Dodson Rd bridge and the other is a small pedestrian bridge.
The water can get real shallow and is advised bringing at least a 10 foot/3-meter pole to be able to push your way forward shallow muddy areas. Stepping out of your boat can be very hazardous due to deep mud, which one can get stuck in. If you are alone this can be really dangerous when not being able to get free.
When paddling in the canal or when in some of the small lakes and marsh note that these are wildlife habitat areas and one should stay in your watercraft as accessing the land may not be allowed due to habitat protection, unless portaging around a barrier. Also, a large part of the land around the canal runs through wilderness area but there is also some private property, so this is another reason to stay in your watercraft if noted or posted no trespassing. Due to the canal being a navigable waterway makes it legal to paddle even when passing through private lands, however if the canal is low of water and you are walking in the canal then you are on private land, that is when you are passing through private land. On this note we have not found any trespass issues reported. Again, most of the land is public wilderness area.
This and other canals in the area receive much of their water via the Grand Coulee Dam system to give the local farms the water they need for their crops and to support the wildlife. Most of the water passes through farmland and thus can have farming chemicals in it, thus the reason the canals have the noted word in their titles as wasteways.
ATTENTION watch out for sweepers (trees & brushes) that could sweep you off your watercraft, or worse trap you in the water. Some of these small trees and bushes have dangerously large thorns that can cause serious bodily harm (called Russian Olive Tree). Also, when coming to a fork in the canal, when it doubts go right.
Access Points and Launches
1. S Frontage Rd NW (on south side of I90 and Twin Winchester Wasteway Lakes). This is the furthest developed public access point from the Potholes Reservoir on the canal. On the opposite side of I90, north is Winchester Reservoir. Unfortunately, one cannot pass under the freeway via spillway safely to go between the canal and reservoir.
There is a gravel parking lot with dirt/gravel/mud launch suitable only for small watercrafts.
If you traverse the whole of the canal, you are looking at about 25-mile trip to the Potholes Reservoir.
Please apply caution in spring runoff or heavy rains, etc. as the current on the canal can be quite strong. I would suggest one study local map via google, etc. to insure one knows the area as it would be easy to get lost (see Google map below). Directions: From Exit 164 off of I90 take S Frontage Rd NW west about 2 miles and one will see the launch gravel parking lot on the southside of the road. If you see the I90 rest area right off this road to the north one has gone too far. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in GPS coordinates 47°06'08.1"N 119°37'16.1"W
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None. One could drive west on the road, park along the road and walk into the I90 restrooms, but doing so would not be accessible to the wheelchairs. However, one could get onto I90 to access the accessible restrooms. No designated picnic areas or shaded area at launch site. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One primitive narrow gravel/dirt/sand/mud launch: DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year along shoreline; Terrain: Level to about 4% grades; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 65 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in Moses Lake City area.
2. Dodson & Winchester Public Access. This is the second developed public access point progressing south from I90 towards the Potholes Reservoir on the canal.
There is a simple gravel parking lot with 2 developed yet primitive gravel/sand/dirt/mud launch. One is right next to the parking lot and the other one needs drive out the east side of the parking lot via a short gravel road to the developed launch.
Please apply caution in spring runoff or heavy rains, etc. as the current on the canal can be quite strong. I would suggest one study local map via google, etc. to insure one knows the area as it would be easy to get lost (see Google map below). Directions: From Exit 164 off of I90 take Dodson Rd. S. South past the Audubon Public Trailhead access parking lot until you cross the first bridge and will see the Public Access next to the canal and bridge. Maps: To view a map, click on google.com/maps and type in GPS coordinates 47.053680, -119.554325
Note of interest... Beda Lake public access is just south/down road, with no canal access.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking. One cement accessible parking space for those with vehicle ramp or lift. lot; PATHS/TRAILS... None. Some short primitive single travel sand/mud trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… One accessible restroom. No designated picnic areas or shaded area at launch site. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Two primitive narrow gravel/dirt/sand/mud launch: DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year along shoreline; Terrain: Level to about 4% grades; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 65 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in Moses Lake City area.
3. Winchester South Public Access. This is the third and final developed public access point progressing south from I90 towards the Potholes Reservoir on the canal. There is a small bridge that crosses the canal for some single-track hiking trails.
There is a simple gravel parking lot with 2 semi developed yet primitive gravel/sand/dirt/mud launch. Basically bank launching. Each access point is on either end of the parking lot, one to the northwest and the other northeast.
When on Rd C SE that takes you to the access point, please note you will pass over the Frenchman Hills Wasteway Canal via the bridge and next to this bridge is the access point into this canal. Some may confuse the Frenchman Hills Wasteway public access with the Winchester canal and access. Keep driving to the end of the road where the Winchester Wasteway public access is located.
Please apply caution in spring runoff or heavy rains, etc. as the current on the canal can be quite strong. I would suggest one study local map via google, etc. to insure one knows the area as it would be easy to get lost (see Google map below). Directions: From Exit 164 off of I90 take Dodson Rd. S. South until this road meets Frenchman Hills Rd W. Turn left/east on this road, it will curve right/south and T into HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Rd. Turn left/east onto HWY 262/O'Sullivan Rd and drive approximately 1 mile / If coming from the Potholes Reservoir drive a bit over 5 miles. Turn north turn onto Rd C SE. While on Rd C SE you will pass over a bridge that crosses Frenchman Hills Wasteway Canal, there is an access point at this bridge into this canal. Keep driving north, this road will curve to the right/east as it nears the access point into the Winchester Wasteway Canal. Maps: To view a map, click on google.com/maps and type in GPS coordinates 46.994868, -119.425448
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking; PATHS/TRAILS... None. Some short primitive single travel sand/mud trails. One canal crossing bridge to access trail; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… One accessible restroom. No designated picnic areas. The are trees that supply some shade; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Two primitive narrow gravel/dirt/sand/mud bank launching: DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year along shoreline; Terrain: Level to about 4% grades; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 65 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in Potholes City area.
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