MONTREAL RIVER, MAIN BRANCH, (Iron Co., WI, 14 mi. northwest of Hurley)

LENGTH 1.8 mi., CLASS II-III+

SEASON: Starts running in early spring but usually continues running for about a month or longer. It is high in early spring but eases down to water fun for intermediates towards the end of spring.

PUT-IN: Saxon Falls Powerplant, down Saxon Falls Power House Rd. off of Co. Hwy. B. Continue north towards the river at the point where Co. Hwy. B makes a 90 degree turn to the west.

TAKEOUT: Highway 122 bridge across the Montreal River. Upstream river left.

GAGE: Staff gage at the power house on the river right shore at the put-in. Contact Northern States Power recorded hotline at 715-893-2213 for discharge information downstream from the Saxon Falls Hydropower plant. Call Northern States Power at 1-800-895-4999 and ask for the Supervisor of Hydro Operations Mark Fort at extension 4643 for more information about access.

FUN FACT: Playboaters paradise in an incredible canyon

FIRST DESCENT:

SHUTTLE: From the put-in, drive back to Co. Hwy. B and turn west until you reach Hwy. 122. Drive north on Hwy. 122 to the bridge that crosses the river.

The scenic Canyon of the Montreal River is one of the best intermediate whitewater runs in the state. Ledges along nearly the entire length of this run create beautiful glassy waves for hours of playboating pleasure. Aside from a few troublesome holes that can form at higher flows, this run is rather constant in terms of difficulty. One important safety concern to be aware of is that once you are in the canyon and committed to the run it is impossible to get back out. Sheer rock cliffs of conglomerate and sandstone rise up to 200' on either side. This also makes it extremely difficult to mount a rescue in several spots. Although there are some gravel bars in the canyon, they start to disappear at higher water. At most flows, however, they provide a place for you to scout the river and pull swimmers to shore.

Actually getting to the river can be quite a chore. Northern States Power Company has a locked gate at the entrance to a long stairway that takes you to the bottom of the canyon at the put-in. You can get around the right side and lower your boat down the steep staircase--make sure you have a firm grasp on your boat or wait for others to clear out of the way below you. An alternative method is to take about 250' of rope with you and belay your boat to the river off of a big tree at the top of the canyon. This method might be necessary if you have a particularly heavy boat or if you don't like climbing down stairs with a boat in your hand.

You can look up at Saxon Falls just upstream of the put-in. If you see three fingers of water coming over the drop the river will be pumping and rather pushy, but at a great level for play boating.

There aren't many drops on this run, just a bunch of continuous class III rapids, most of which mellow out to class II at lower flow. A sheer wall on river left where the river makes a hard turn to the right is the Cathedral. A hole forms here that can be real trouble for intermediates, but great fun for aggressive experts looking for a good trashing.

Once you exit the canyon you reach a nasty gravel bar. You may have to drag your boat if the water is low. At higher flows this will be a nice stretch of continuous class II. As the river spreads out, the current slows and you will soon reach the takeout bridge. You will find a good landing spot on the river left upstream side of the Hwy. 122 bridge.

Below this bridge the river enters a very steep canyon containing class V-VI whitewater ending with Superior Falls. Hard to tell if you would still be in your boat or even alive when you reached the lip. To our knowledge this 55' drop has not been run. You can get a good look at it by driving along the river right shore of the river to a trail which gives you a good view of the falls and a glimpse of the suicidal entry.

20 April 1997, Steve Corsi, Mike Evanston, Ken Glaeser, Harry House, Bill Obrien, Tom O'Keefe, 8.68 at 11 am