FLAMBEAU RIVER, SOUTH FORK

(Sawyer & Rusk Co., WI, 20 miles southwest of Park Falls)

LENGTH 2 mi., CLASS II (IV), GRADIENT:

SEASON: Some possibilities for kayaking in early spring, an expert canoe run in late spring, and popular for a lazy float in summer although it can get a little low.

PUT-IN: Co. Hwy. M bridge.

TAKEOUT: You may have to use some creativity to find a legal takeout. The dirt road that turns north off of Skinner Creek Rd. 100 yds. east of the bridge across Skinner Creek looks like a possibility. You can get to the river at this point as long as you do not turn into someone's back yard by mistake. A takeout on public land is further downstream after the confluence with the North Fork.

GAGE: Unfortunately for boaters the USGS gage is downstream of the dams near Bruce so it is difficult to interpret. You can call the DNR office in Winter, WI at 715-332-5271 to find out current conditions. They can also provide you with a great map that has all the launch sites and campsites along the river.

FUN FACT: One of the more challenging open canoe whitewater runs in the state. It doesn't hold water as well as the North Fork of the Flambeau.

SHUTTLE: From the put-in drive 1.5 mi. south to Skinner Creek Rd. Turn west onto this road and go 2.5 miles to the launch site just after you cross Skinner Creek.

The South Fork of the Flambeau contains more challenging water than the North Fork, but it usually only has enough water in the spring. A good day trip that hits some of the more challenging rapids suitable for experienced boaters is from the Hwy. M bridge to the Hervas Landing just downstream from the confluence. This sections contains some class II rapids and a waterfall that is usually portaged. You can shorten this section a bit by locating a takeout at Skinner Creek.

To check out the big drop, turn into the DNR parking lot for the Little Falls and Slough Gundy Scenic Area 1 mi. south of the County Hwy. M bridge across the river. A trail 1/8 of a mile long takes you to Little Falls. You can only see the channel on the river left side though.

Upstream sections can be paddled starting from the Co. Hwy. F bridge near Lugerville.