Winnipeg Rivers
Rivers define Winnipeg, curving through the city’s neighbourhoods and serving as places to play in both summer and winter. With the not-to-be-missed popularity of The Forks – Winnipeg’s historic spot where the mighty Red River meets its smaller cousin the Assiniboine – you would be forgiven for thinking the city is home to only two rivers.
Go beyond this famous duo to dip your paddle into the springtime high waters of the Seine River, a patch of wilderness winding through Winnipeg’s southeast corner. Head further south to launch in the easygoing La Salle River, where Great Blue Herons and twisting turns delight paddlers, experienced and novice alike. See Winnipeg through fresh eyes – it’s a whole new view!
Red River
The widest of the four urban rivers, the Red shares its waters with paddlers, rowers, water taxis, tour boats, river cruises, power boats and water skiers along with shoreline anglers. Paddling close to the riverbank reveals the most interesting views while steering clear of traffic on this wet highway. Homegrown paddlers who think they know Winnipeg will be surprised at the different perspective the Red offers.
Assiniboine River
From the headwaters in eastern Saskatchewan, the Assiniboine River winds its way eastward across the prairies for close to 1,000 kilometres before it pours into the Red River at The Forks in Winnipeg. Gracefully curving through the western half of the city, the Assiniboine meanders past residential neighbourhoods, golf courses and city parks…
Seine River
How times have changed! The tiny Seine River is a beautiful strip of wilderness snuggled in the heart of Winnipeg’s St. Vital and St. Boniface neighbourhoods. But that wasn’t always the case. Once a dumping ground for industries along sections of the riverbank, twenty years of stewardship efforts by Save Our Seine have turned this little gem into a must-do experience.
La Salle River
Gentle and slow moving, the LaSalle River offers a quiet, rural pace just south of Winnipeg. But you will not be lonely on this river. Great Blue Herons rise from the trees to spread their broad grayish-blue wings. White-tailed deer sip at the water’s edge. Painted turtles sun themselves on a fallen tree jutting into the river.
