The River Washburn, a tributary of the Wharfe, and the four large reservoirs of the Washburn Valley, provide the main water supply catchment area for Leeds. Except during water releases, the river joining the reservoirs is normally dry and canoeing impossible. Paddling on the reservoirs and above is strictly prohibited.

On about 30 days in the year, water releases for canoeing purposes are made from Thruscross Reservoir into Fewston Reservoir. Events at Washburn currently include Wednesday evening and weekend cruises, slalom, freestyle and wild water racing. The latest releases are listed on this home page. Active participation by clubs is encouraged by the Washburn Committee.

The 2.4km (1.5 miles) of Grade 2-3, fast flowing water between the two reservoirs is the only dam-release facility in England and has become one of the most important and heavily used competition sites in the country. The river has three slalom sites catering for differing standards of competition, and hosts both Premier and Division 1/2 slaloms.  On slalom and WWR race days, parts of the river not in use by the event can normally be used by non-racing paddlers for recreational cruising by prior arrangement with the event organiser.

The Washburn Committee is further developing the site to make this already exciting river a venue of international standing. Details of recent and future improvements can be seen on the developments page.

The site owners - Yorkshire Water plc - have vested all canoeing operations in the Washburn Committee of the Yorkshire Region of Canoe England. The Washburn Committee manages the river on behalf of all canoeists. A small fee is charged for parking at all events and for use of the river by non-competitive entrants. All paddlers must be members of the BCU or a BCU-affiliated club.