MENOMINEE RIVER (Marinette Co., WI, at Niagara)

LENGTH 3 mi., CLASS III (IV), GRADIENT:

SEASON: Throughout the warm months of summer.

PUT-IN: Parking area for Pier's Gorge. Cross the Menominee River into Michigan on Hwy. 8 and take the road to the west which is just a couple hundred yards north of the river. This road parallels the river on the Michigan side and ends at the parking area. Hike your boat up to the trail to Misicot Falls at the top.

TAKEOUT: The parking area for Pier's Gorge. There are a couple of parking lots.

GAGE: The discharge is dam controlled but there is a USGS gage at Niagara downstream from the dam. This section nearly always has enough water to run but 2000 cfs is a nice level for playboating. A toll-free hotline with flow information updated every 24 hours will be installed; until that time, you may call the powerhouse at 715-251-8230. (NOTE: The use of this service will be evaluated by FERC and the company after five years.)

FUN FACT: Hours of playboating pleasure in Pier's Gorge during the warm months of summer.

SHUTTLE: You can use the hiking trail on the Michigan side of the river.

ISSUES: Wisconsin Electric Power Company worked with five natural resource agencies and two river recreation coalitions to reach a settlement agreement associated with the reliscensing of eight hydroelectric dams in this river's basin. To protect weekend whitewater boating activity, Little Quinnesec Dam will change its peaking operations from refilling the flowage on the weekends (less water downstream) to refilling it on a daily basis. Consequently, there will be a continuous minimum flow of 1000 cfs or project inflow; whichever is less during dry periods. Contact Ms. Rita Hayan, Project Engineer for Hydro Licensing, for additional information (Wisconsin Electric, 231 W. Michigan St., P.O. Box 2046, Milwaukee, WI 53201-2046).

You can spend all day working your way down the gorge, spending time at each of the play spots. The first big drop is Misicot Falls, a river-wide waterfall that does not present many problems but be aware of Volkswagen rock below. The full force of the current smashes right into it. When you come to a small rock island, eddy out behind the island and get in line for your chance to show your stuff. The channel on the left side of the island pours over a ledge which makes a great surfing and ender spot. In the past, this hole has been the site of the playboating competition for the Hoofer Outing Club whitewater rodeo. There are good spots for spectators along the trail which parralels the river on the Michigan side.

The next big ledge downstream also offers some playboating opportunities. Catch the small eddy on river right just after this ledge. If you miss the eddy, you can grab the huge eddy on river left. The Two Sisters are easily accessed from this side of the river. They are good for enders, mystery moves, or a violent but brief surf.

The section is rather short, but any playboater can turn a trip to the Menominee into an all day affair. Continue downstream a short distance to a big hole called Terminal Surf. There is a landing area a couple hundred yards downstream of this hole on river left.