@RobinA said:
Having paddled those rivers many times, with the unpredictable water levels…use your canoe !!!
Problem solved…
Huh? How do you figure?
I’m guessing that RobinA feels it’s easier to jump out and in canoes when you hit bottom. But unlike canoes, you can waddle /scoot on your hands and stay inside. 
Yes, I suppose that’s true when you’re bumping down the rocks. I was envisioning much more challenging “unpredictable water levels”, like massive flow and white water.