- Black River
- Bois Brule River
- Brule River
- Chippewa River
- Eau Claire River
- Flambeau River
- Manitowish River
- Menominee River
- Montreal River
- Namekagon River
- Peshtigo River
- Pike River
- Pine River
- Popple River
- Red River
- St Croix River
- Tomahawk River
- White River
- Wisconsin River
- Wolf River
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WPG
A canoeing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting guide to Wisconsin's most popular paddle rivers.
distance:
most difficult rapids:
approx. trip time:
elevation drop:
average gradient:
(feet per mile)
11.8 miles
Riffles
4 hours
19 feet
1.6 fpm
Black River (B3)
David Hansen Memorial Landing @ Irving
to DNR Landing @ Melrose
This segment is considered the second most popular on the Black after the stretch downriver (Melrose to North Bend). Paddlers will find several scenic highlights including two beautiful rock formations. The first scenic formation is a pine-covered, rocky ledge over a deep pool located about 100 yards upriver from Linde Landing. The second is a tall bluff which is followed by a low moss-covered, rocky wall a mile and a half above the DNR landing near Melrose. There are a number of other minor rock formations along with several small hills covered in conifer-hardwood forests.
The lower Black is well-known for its large number of inviting, golden sandy beaches and its shallow, sandy river bottom. Overnight camping on any of the beaches is fun and free. Please limit your stay at any single location to one night only. Check the weather report and get a river level forecast from a local outfitter or from the Black River State Forest before you camp on the river.
The river drops less than 19 feet in the 11.8 miles between Irving and Melrose for an average gradient of 1.8 feet per mile. The absence of any whitewater, a super-low gradient, and beautiful scenery makes this segment a very pleasant, lazy float for quietwater enthusiasts.
Season
Water levels are usually adequate from spring through fall. However, when water levels are low, the river can get pretty shallow where the river forks around two large Islands, paddlers may have to get out and push in several spots over sandy shallows.
River Level Information
river gage location: Black River Falls, WI
suggested minimum level: 200 cfs
suggested maximum level: 3000 cfs
on the web: USGS gage @ Black River Falls, WI
phone contact: Black River State Forest: 715.284.4103