Wisconsin,

E) Prairie du Sac (PnP)

WI, Wisconsin River, Prairie du Sac

WI, Wisconsin River, Prairie du Sac
Photo of Helge Klockow

Gauge Information

River Description

Local training grounds and work-out water for Madison area boaters. Rocky outrun from dam/powerplant creates some potential for play. At times of high flow it may provide some excellent "big water" practice, with powerful swirls and boils. More often, however, you are likely to be completely underwhelmed. (I have stopped here nearly a half-dozen times with boat and gear, and never once saw anything which compelled me to bother to suit up and drag down. YMMV.)

An anonymous contributor provides (2008-11-02):
Just paddled this today around 5,000cfs and its good fun! You can put in right [near] the dam and paddle down. There is a rather big wave in the middle of the right channel, very hard to catch. Then its just turbulent and pushy water till you make it down to the big eddy on river right.

There is a surprisingly nice wave at the top of the eddy that is a cake walk to paddle into. Its pretty fast and can allow some ends and wavewheels, flatspins maybe. What's nice is that soon as you get washed out just head back for the big river right eddy. There you will find a train of whirlpools on the (quite long and super deep) eddy line. SQUIRT CITY! (reminds me of the Gauley -- well, minus the huge ugly dam taking up the entire view.) It also has magnificent eddy service. A few paddle strokes and you're back in the wave.

I didn't find much else to play around in. Everything is either too swift or too rocky. But the one wave on river right made it well worth the trip and I paddled all day.

Here's a note: There were a lot of local fishermen out. Most were friendly and came over to talk and watch, others offered scowls. A lot of people were really surprised to see a kayaker and I drew quite an audience. Just smile and wave.

I may be making another trip back up here, especially if the water is higher. I can only imagine that what that wave would be like at 10,000cfs! Oooh Boy!

For additional description, see Upper Midwest PaddleGuide