BLACK RIVER (Gogebic Co., MI, 11 mi. north of Bessemer)

LENGTH: 8.5 mi., CLASS: IV-V, GRADIENT: 60' per mile

SEASON: A fine late spring run after the smaller creeks have started to loose their water.

PUT-IN: Gorge and Falls overlook on Hwy. 513. Other put-ins are available for the upstream sections. One of these is the roadside parking area at the Narrows, 5 miles north of Bessemer.

TAKEOUT: Black River Harbor on Lake Superior.

GAGE: Top of bridge abutment on upstream river right. This bridge is several miles upstream of the put-in but it's on the way. 13' is a good level for an expert run on the lower section. At high water levels this run can be deadly. Be sure to go with someone who knows the run. USGS gauge has been reestablished for this run. Look for flows around 300-350 cfs for a first run.

FUN FACT: Some of the biggest drops in the Midwest if you are insane enough to think about running them.

FIRST DESCENT: Paul Everson was the first one crazy enough to have run everything on this river.

SHUTTLE: The takeout is 2 miles north on Hwy. 513 from the put-in.

You can run different sections of this river depending on the water conditions and your paddling ability. The standard short day run for experts starts at the Gorge and Falls overlook below Gorge Falls. From the boardwalks at the put-in you can look up at Potawatomi Falls. It has been run by Paul Everson (he went over backwards on river right) and Rick Klade (he slid over on river left into "Klade's Coffin"). The next waterfall is Gorge Falls, about 25' high, which has also been run by Paul and a first descent by Tom Schellberg at lower water back in the days of glass boats. The last section of the river that was not run included the hole and lead-in just above Gorge Falls. It looks smooth but large trees have been seen doing enders in the hole. The last section has now been run as well.

After picking your immaginary lines on the big drops, you can carry your boat down the boardwalk to the bottom of the gorge below the waterfalls.

The first drop is Rock and Roll or Rollercoaster depending on who you ask. The next drop is Sandstone. At high water this drop is class VI. A class IV+ set of moves can get you down the sneak route on the right but the consequences of missing it and heading down the main chute could be very serious. Even at moderate flows the first half of this rapid is a real challenge and a solid class V. Under most conditions, the next drop Under the Falls rates class V. The right channel in particular is a real challenge and rescue would be difficult. You pass under a cascade entering from river left. At higher water the left channel is normally run. As with all the drops on this river, a careful scout is necessary to find the best route on any given day. The next drop is Hump & Bump and then an Un-named slide before the river reaches the shores of Lake Superior with the last major drop known as Rainbow Falls, a 35 foot waterfall that rates class VI. It has been run by Paul Everson on far river left. Portage Rainbow Falls on river left, take a look at the waterfall, and get back in your boat just below the drop. There are a couple of fun ledges that provide a nice warm down before you get to the lake.

An intermediate run can be found starting at the Narrows parking area or further upstream and ending near the Copper Peak Ski Jump.

26 May 1996, 13' a good level

4 May 1997, Guy Babbitt, Steve Corsi, Harry House, Tom O'Keefe, Eric Platenberg, 12' 6"

3rd November 2001, Steve Corsi, Pauls Janda, Mark Mastalski, Helge Klockow, 12' 9" (336 cfs), Gorge - Lake Superior, nice level

4th November 2001, Steve Corsi, Pauls Janda, Mark Mastalski, Helge Klockow, (281 cfs), Narrows - Conglomerate Falls