Brief River Description

A grade one to two run, in County Antrim.

Directions to the Put-in

M2 Motorway an Exit onto Slip Road (M2 J5) and proceed for 0.51 miles. Turn left onto Ballyclare Road and proceed for 0.68 miles. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Antrim Road and proceed for 1.02 miles. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Belfast Road and proceed for 1.38 miles.Turn right onto Rathmore Road, You will see signs for The Dunadry hotel and also there is a pub near the put in point called Ellie May's Dunadry GR: 200-850 Muckamore GR: 167-855 Antrim Forum GR: 135-868

Directions to the Take-out

Loughshore Car park - This river flows into Lough Neagh, it is a busy area with fishing and sailing boats.

River Description

The put-in is at the bridge near the Dunadry Hotel or take the road off beside the bridge for a 1/4 mile or so and you can park in a little clearing on the right (looks like a small dump) access to the river is on the other side of the fence. The get out is river left just past a footbridge just facing Muckamore. There is Canoe steps to show this, Or you can paddle further down and get out at The Antrim Forum loughshore

With a couple of exceptions the Six Mile is a fairly easy river. The first weir although straight forward to run can at times have a stopper that will hold you, it also claimed a life several years ago.

The only other place to mention is a little rapid that bends slightly. It takes you towards a wall and that has seen the odd pin so be careful. It's also worth a bank inspection as the last time I was on it it was blocked by a overhanging tree.

Next stop is the Salmon Leap Weir, canoe steps are before it and you can inspect it from the footbridge above. You can also play on this weir if the water levels are right and you have the experience although can be very sticky if you cant catch the water right.

It has one other rapid and a few small drops.

If the river is in spate there is a great standing wave at the get out at Muckamore. You'll need a good few days of rain or it's just a bump and scrape.

Local issues

Fishermen, beware! we had an encounter with one when we paddled in November. They warned us that Kayaking is not permitted when the river is low due to Salmon spawning and that it is illegal to do so. They left a rather cheeky note on a fellow paddlers car along with bending the mirror back. Check with CANI for more details.

River level gauge

The Six Mile Water is an important Salmon river and there is a legal imperative not to damage the spawning beds of these fish. Therefore it is recommended that canoeing does not take place when the river gauge is less than X especially during November, December and January.

Author(s)

Original Author: Shamara Press
Latest Author: CAPS member
(Full History)

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