Wisconsin,

WI, Wisconsin River, Grandfather Falls

WI, Wisconsin River, Grandfather Falls
Photo of Outflow from Grandfather Falls dam. by Mark Mastalski taken April 2002

Gauge Information

River Description

Between the Grandfather Dam and the powerhouse lies a full mile of big, wide river with an amazing jumble of rocks and a few good ledges. With adequate water, this is a wild stretch of river which should allow many options of routes and plenty of play possibilities.

There is one main ledge about 2/3 of the way down which may rate the (IV) in the description. At low-to-moderate flows, this reach may be more in the II-III range, but the continuous nature of the rapids, and pushiness (as it heads to higher water levels) should not be taken lightly.

There is a minor trail through the brush on river left for scouting, and the road parallels the river not far back from that.

The capacity of the penstock and powerplant is reportedly 2,500 cfs, which would seem to indicate flows in excess of that should start putting water in this reach. I have seen the river at 'fish flow' (summer trickle), and it would appear that this could certainly be boatable with much less than the 10,000 (2500 for penstock, which means 7500 in the river!) those sites suggest.

For additional description, see Upper Midwest PaddleGuide