The Portage-Burns Waterway is a constructed channel in northwest Indiana that serves as the final conduit for the Deep River watershed, draining approximately 180 square miles of urban and agricultural land into Lake Michigan. For paddlers, it functions primarily as the last leg of a longer journey from inland rivers. The waterway connects to the Little Calumet River West Branch, which is an almost ruler-straight ditch. From that confluence, it is 1.25 miles of paddling northeast to reach the beach and Lake Michigan at Portage Lakefront. This endpoint offers a lake access point with amenities including restrooms or portable facilities. The waterway is a significant marine corridor, providing direct access to Lake Michigan for boats from facilities like Marina Shores, which indicates the presence of substantial motorized boat traffic, including large vessels and jet skis. Paddlers should anticipate sharing this channel and must be prepared for wakes and high traffic, especially near the marina. The connection to Lake Michigan means conditions on the waterway can be influenced by the lake, including wind exposure and the potential for wave action at the mouth. The surrounding area includes the Indiana Dunes National Park, offering scenic vistas. Water quality has been a focus of management efforts, with historical impairments noted for swimming and fishing. The watershed initiative indicates ongoing work to address these issues.