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White Water Releases from Hydropower Dam Relicensing:
Update July 8, 2005
The National Park Service (NPS), through its Rivers and Trails Program, has been involved in hydropower relicensings throughout the upper Midwest since 1990. Hydropower dams that are privately or municipally owned require an operating license, issued for 30-50 years, from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The NPS works collaboratively with the hydropower applicant, other state and federal resource agencies, local communities, and interest groups to make license article recommendations. In each relicensing process, which takes generally five years, we focus on enhancing recreational opportunities while respecting the river culture, ecosystem and economies; and conserving riparian lands. Recreation amenities resulting from relicensing include improved river access, new and improved recreational facilities (camping, trails, boat ramps, fishing facilities), and of greatest interest to boaters: new or increased flows downstream from the dam. Where ever there’s a release, there is also a new or improved take-out, put-in, and portage trail as well as directional signage where allowed. Updates in Wisconsin/MI Upper Peninsula:
Black River (at Hatfield) – The same schedule for releases, third Saturday of each month, water dependent, still holds. Call Midwest Hydraulic’s flow hotline (1.888.HYDROWI OR 1.888.493.7694) to check flow status. A new trail to the put-in is being developed here; take out below the power house was improved. The dam is being transferred to a new owner summer of 2005.
Chippewa River (at Jim Falls, Eau Claire) A new white water opportunity on the Chippewa R. at Jim Falls started in July of 2003. Summer releases are scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of July and the 2nd Saturday and the 3rd Sunday in August. Peak flows of 650 cfs will be released between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with the down ramp of 450 cfs from 3:00 - 4:30, returning to 240 after that. A new put-in and take-out is being developed here. In addition, higher, steady flows for flat water boating will be provided downstream of the Dells dam in Eau Claire. Local whitewater boaters are also known to play in a small play spot at the “shelf” immediately downstream from Dells dam when it’s releasing low to minimum flows. http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/4098/
Jim Falls Releases for 2005
Releases in 2005 are scheduled for Saturdays July 9th, 23rd, August 13th; and Sunday, August 21st; 10:00 – 3:00. Please don’t forget to sign in!
Menominee River (at Niagara) Higher and steadier flows (1000 cfs minimum) released from Big Quinnessec via Little Quinnessec, ultimately through Sand Rapids and Piers Gorge. For exact flow levels call StoraEnso at 715.251.8230. A new put-in for kayakers and rafters was developed here. (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2729/).
Paint River (Horse Race Rapids) Higher, steady flows are available that accommodate advanced white water boating on the Paint River in the western UP (trib to Brule/ Menominee). Every year flows will be:
April 1 through May 15: 350 cfs May 16 – June 15: 300 cfs
June 16 – June 30: 275 cfs July 1 – November: 250 cfs
December – March: 175 cfs
Call We Energies flow hotline during the season at 1.906.779.2518; it also reports flow levels for the Pine River. A new put-in, take-out, and primitive camping site has been developed here. (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2729/).
Horse Race Rapids on the Paint River Now Has Primitive Campground
You can now plan your boating trip around staying at a primitive campground at the put-in for Horse Race Rapids on the Paint, thanks again to the multi-project hydropower relicensing settlement agreement in the Menominee River Watershed. We Energies has installed a vault toilet and a parking area for campers; Michigan Department of Natural Resources keeps a path mowed from the parking lot to the put-in. A sweet spot for boaters, indeed!
Going north out of Florence, WI, go east on the first road immediately north of the Michigan DOT road side rest on Route 2/141. Brown signs indicating a tent and water below it will direct you from this point. Just before this paved road turns to gravel is a sandy road that turns north. Follow this road until you are in a grassy area and the airport runway comes into view on the left. The camping/parking area and vault toilet will be on your right. You can drive down (a somewhat steep, grassy lane) to the right to an open field parking area closer to the river. A narrow path leads from the north edge of this clearing down to the put-in.
Please note the posting from AW’s website (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2729/):
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Mark Mastalski |
2005-05-08 17:29:36 |
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A fellow boater experienced a terrible pin at the bottom of Horserace between the two boulders called the Dragon's Teeth on May 8, 2005. Avoid the river right rock which is undercut and try to stay left as much as possible. |
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Peshtigo River Run-or-river flows in the Spring Rapids Section (class I-II) which is between High Falls dam (previously peaking) and Sandstone dam; this section is far downstream from the popular Roaring Rapids section. For flow levels, check their flow hotline at 1.800.236.7341. Improved road to put-in; improved put-in and take-out.
Sturgeon River (enters Menominee R. about 7 miles downstream of Piers Gorge); hydropower dam being slowly removed; historic photos show nice drops; won’t be approachable until spring 2006. http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/4059/
Sturgeon River Dam Coming Out Completely This Year
he relatively close by Sturgeon River dam will be completely removed by the end of this fall, one year earlier than expected, so the previously inundated rapids will be available next spring for a “first descent”.
Wisconsin River (at Rhinelander) Release dates vary during summer, totaling 80 hours per season; determined in conjunction with Northern Paddle and Trail. New put-in and take out. For more info, see Northern Paddle & Trail. Of course, the long tradition of releases at Wausau continues. http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/rts/releases.htm
Updated July 2005
Information obtained from:
Angie T.
Rivers & Trails, National Park Service
626 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.297.3605/ FAX: - 414.944.3660
www.nps.gov/rtca
