Thank you, old_salt.

Having reread the portage descriptions on this site, you suggestion makes a lot of sense.  I've changed the route to go through Jesse instead of Hamburg.

I'm still wondering about actual water levels this year. I do believe they've received more rain in northwestern Ontario than we have here in eastern Ontario - although they started off at a low level because of a very low amount of snowfall last winter.

I will call the park people at French Lake soon to see what they have to say about this.