Black (Jackson Co.) - E) Hatfield Dam to Power Plant (3.2 miles)


Black (Jackson Co.), Wisconsin, US

 Disclaimer

E) Hatfield Dam to Power Plant (3.2 miles)

Usual Difficulty II-III(IV) (varies with level)
Length 3.2 Miles
Avg. Gradient 20 fpm
Max Gradient 33 fpm

WI, Black River, Surf Wave


WI, Black River, Surf Wave
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 01/01/96

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
Black at Hatfield
virtual-11094 1502 - 4762 cfs I 01h09m ~ 337.571 cfs (too low)
Within capacity of penstock/powerplant, therefore expect virtually no flow in bypassed reach. ALWAYS check 1-888-HYDROWI or online datasite to confirm actual flow in bypass.


River Description

See the 'Flows' tab for details of the NEW release agreement.

Please call the hydro number (1-888-HYDROWI) before heading here for any releases.

When the 'full reach' is runnable, it can provide some rare "big water play" in Wisconsin.

It may be done as either a 'park-and-play' at the put-in (where the best play waves are) or as the listed three mile run from the dam to the powerplant. The run may be extended to a landing at Hall's Creek to add three more minor drops, though most forego the added flatwater this necessitates.

The usual run starts about a quarter-mile below the dam (the first point reached from the carry-in from normal roadside boater parking). Between the dam and this point lie some serious drops which contains near inescapable boiling cauldrons at moderate to high flows (class IV-V+).

Note: As long as one puts in below this upper stretch, there no rapids which rise above a class II-III rating.

In times of lower flow (and during the NEW scheduled releases) the above-mentioned drops are runnable, and may provide some class III-IV entertainment. In fact, according to Jeff Polzin: "the section immediately below the dam is full of fun class 2 drops at 75 to 150 cfs ... there are a couple of easy class 3 drops (at the K bridge and at the second zag of the "Z" approximately 2 miles downstream from the dam)".


Also at times of lower flow (I.E., when this reach is 'dewatered' due to the power plant diverting all the flow), boaters may wish to check out the reach from Below the hydroplant to Hall's Creek landing, as all water which had been diverted from the upper reach will now be returned to the riverbed for these final two or three drops. Runnability will, of course, depend upon power generation schedules.

The following YouTube video (from 'MnktoDave') includes footage of this section of river (along with others).  


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2011-03-19 20:19:32

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.6Island DropIIPlayspot
2.3minor rapids #1IIPlayspot
2.8minor rapids #2IIPlayspot
3.1Powerhouse RapidsIIPlayspot

Rapid Descriptions

Island Drop (Class II, Mile 0.6)

Downstream of the put-in waves, downstream of the highway bridge, an island splits the flow. The main channel is to the right, and the flow drops across a bedrock intrusion. At some flows a fine surf can be had here.



minor rapids #1 (Class II, Mile 2.3)

Rocky intrusion creates minor play.



minor rapids #2 (Class II, Mile 2.8)

A rocky outcropping splits the flow and allows some minor play.



Powerhouse Rapids (Class II, Mile 3.1)

A final boulder and bedrock intrusion allows minor play (though most folks don't bother, since they've played out the upper stuff).




User Comments
2013-04-10 04:33:21 (39 days ago)
John MeredithDetails
888-HYDROWI is no longer being supported by the Dam Operator. Current flow information can be found
at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=hatfield_arbutus_monitor
Users can submit comments.



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Events

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September 2012

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Black River Releases
11:00 am -2:00 pm cst
Release flow determined by the previous 5 day average.400-200 cfs
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Events
Black River Releases Jackson County,WI runs 10/18/02 - 09/08/12
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Associated Projects

  • Black River (WI)
    The Hatfield Project on the Black River diverts flow from the river natural channel. AW advocates for restored recreational opportunities and riparian protection.