PESHTIGO RIVER, Roaring Rapids section (Marinette Co., WI, 15 mi. east of Wabeno)

LENGTH 4 mi., CLASS II-III, GRADIENT: 14' per mile

SEASON: Can be good in early or late spring. It is often boated in the summer although you always want just a little bit more water.

PUT-IN: Mouth of Otter Creek off of Hwy. C

TAKEOUT: Downstream of the Hwy. C bridge across the Peshtigo

GAGE: Paddler's staff gage painted on the upstream, river left side of the Hwy. C bridge across the Peshtigo. Kosir's Rafting, a few hundred feet east from the bridge, usually keeps track of the level 715-757-3431. At 20" the river is an action-packed whitewater run with play spots for aggressive experts. Above this level the river starts to become a class IV run. 5" to 12" is a good level for intermediates and gung-ho beginners. Although people have run the river below 0", it becomes extremely rocky at levels below 5". There is also a new USGS gage near Wabeno installed in June 1998. 0" on the paddler's gauge is 235 cfs.

FUN FACT: When it has water, one of Wisconsin's best whitewater runs

SHUTTLE (MAP): Most trips gather at the Hwy. C bridge where you can take a gage reading. From the bridge, travel 2.1 west on Hwy. C, then take a right turn at the junction with Hwy. F and stay on Hwy. C. From the junction, travel 1.1 miles to a dirt road on your right called Farm Dam Lane. This road will take you to the put-in which is located at the mouth of Otter Creek where it flows into the Peshtigo. To get to the takeout, continue back the way you came to the Hwy. C bridge across the Peshtigo. After you cross the bridge, continue 0.2 miles east and turn right onto Landing 12 lane. Stay to the right until you come to a parking area which is the takeout.

ISSUES: The FERC is finalizing the articles for the six dams on the Peshtigo (all below the Roaring Rapids section) and expects to issue them in June/July 1997.

This run is one of Wisconsin's finest intermediate whitewater runs. Unfortunately there are some years that you never really have enough water to run it except for a few weeks in early spring. Heavy rains can sometimes bring the water levels up in summer but you need to be quick in getting to the river as the water does not last long.

Several other options are available for running the Peshtigo that include upper sections all the way north to Cavour, but the standard whitewater run begins at the mouth of Otter Creek. Soon after launching you come to the first set of rapids, a long continuous stretch of class II in high water and an extremely frustrating pinball course full of rocks at more typical low water. If the gage is below 12" be prepared to deal with a few rocks, and if it gets below 6" be prepared to deal with several.

The river continues with several stretches of whitewater until you reach First Drop. You can recognize it by a sign designating a natural gas pipeline on river left and a distinct horizon line. Scout this drop on the big rock on river left. This drop changes dramatically in character with water level. At flows around 20" it becomes a challenging drop, capable of flipping rafts and endless hours of enjoyment for those with the courage to drop into the hole for a violent surf at the bottom. A side curler midway down the drop can present a challenge to beginners at most water levels but the drop itself looks significantly less intimidating when the water is lower.

Second drop is just around the corner and is one of the finest surfing spots in the state. Even when the water is lower (3"-10") you can find a sweet spot for front surfing and 360's near the center of the drop and a nice side surfing hole near river left that anyone can drop into. At higher levels (20") you can do some really dramatic river-wide surfing at the bottom of this drop.

Third drop is just after an island and you can scout it from the second big rock just downstream of the island. Most of the current flows through a channel on river right with a powerful-looking hole at the bottom. The hole is usually not as bad as it looks, but it does seem kind of sticky when you are surfing it and suddenly see a raft coming down on you from above.

When you run third drop you do want to be on your toes because Five-Foot Falls is only 50 yds. downstream. The horizon line can be really tricky to see but it's there, a river wide drop that you don't want to plop over without first determining where the water is going. To scout Five-Foot Falls you will want to eddy out immediately on river left below third drop. The land owner on this side of the river does not take kindly to people who walk across his land without asking permission. He will yell at you if you don't ask him if you can scout the drop. The river left channel is usually the one with the most water but it can be tricky for beginners and a lot of the current pushes into a big boulder that could cause trouble if you are out of control or out of your boat. At levels above 6" a more straightforward chute opens up at the center of the river, that is actually a short slide.

You need to pick up the pieces pretty quick because you can see the top of Horserace Rapids from Five-Foot Falls. This rapid is best scouted on river right. The rapid consists of a series of drops, none individually more difficult than the other drops on the river, but they must be negotiated in rapid succession. At the bottom of the rapid are the Dragon's Teeth which start to come into view when the river gets down to 6" They can inflict a nasty bite to out-of-control boaters so stay river left in the final chute to avoid them.

Just after Horserace Rapids comes S-Turn, a small drop that can be underestimated . The rapid is in the river left channel of an island which you can see from the bottom of Horserace. You hit it heading towards river left and then follow the main current as it heads back to the right. At the bottom of S turn there is an ender hole on river left. After this rapid is a long stretch of continuous class II water similar to the rapids at the start of the run. A swim usually does not last long here but gear can float down quite a ways before it is all recovered. It is a fun ride down the river until you come to a big pool with several cabins close to shore. The pace of the river slows considerably and after a few more sections of riffles the channel broadens and the bridge comes into view. Check the gage once more as you pass and continue downstream the short distance to your takeout, recognized by a boat ramp, on river left.

After the run many boaters stop in at Kosir's where you can get a drink or something to eat. It is always good to show your support as they have been good about providing kayakers with river level information. For dinner, our favorite place is Rawhide 715-276-6252. A little bar and restaurant a few miles south of Lakewood on the west side of Hwy. 32 with great food and atmosphere.