Menominee, Michigan, US/Wisconsin, US

C) Pemene Falls (0.2 miles)

Usual Difficulty	IV (varies with level)
Length	0.2 Miles
Avg. Gradient	24 fpm
Max Gradient	24 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
MENOMINEE RIVER BELOW PEMENE CREEK NR PEMBINE, WI
usgs-04066003	1000 - 7000 cfs	III-IV	05h43m	4860 cfs (running)
	Starting to surge (bouncy). Gauge (3,140 sq.mi. drainage) lies immediately downstream of this reach, so very accurately portrays flow here.

River Description

This run is easily combined with Piers Gorge. It is a shorter and more intense reach than Piers Gorge, and may offer better play below the rapids (depending upon your preferences!).

This is easily one of the scarier rapids that I have run. It consists of 4 main features, which I will describe in the order you encounter them while running the rapids.

There are some sweet smaller surf waves leading into the main drop. The first large feature, Clarice Hole is an extremely violent river-wide hole where the river narrows to 12' wide. It flushes in the center. When entering the hole from upstream, the top of the backwash is a little above eyeball level. There is a small room of doom to the right, which (if you flip and are swept into) will make your life miserable. There are countless sharp pointy rocks (that the current will slam you against) as you set up for a roll. A word of caution: this is where Pemene Dam used to be. It has been my experience that at levels above 7.9 feet you can safely run this rapid without the risk if hitting rebar. However, I have not been able to confirm presence or absence of rebar risks at levels below 7.9 feet. Also, the hole becomes less flushy the lower you get. I have not visited "The Lambs" any higher than 8.3 feet (which is a good level to run it at), but I was told that it was very intimidating at 12 feet.

50 yards downstream is Hannibal Hole. This is a great hole to play in, especially since there is a huge eddy on river left that provides easy access. Just 5 yards below Hannibal is Lecter Wave. This is one of the best waves in the Upper Peninsula/Wisconsin area in my opinion. A huge eddy on river left provides easy access.

The 4th feature of this rapid is known as Cannibal Rock. It is a chunk of old dam on the river right side of Lecter Wave. This rock is just below the surface and if you windowshade here, you will smack it hard. (I received a mild concussion the first time I hit it, and spent the next 12 hours vomiting. Plus it snapped my paddled in half!)

This run is a little off the main drag, but worth a trip to see. Even if you decide not to run Clarice, you may find Hannibal and Lecter will provide adequate entertainment.

Recommended 'Companion' Runs

River	Approximate Distance	Driving Directions (will open a new browser window . . . close it to return here.)
Paint, Horserace Rapids	50 miles	Pemene to Paint
Sturgeon at Sturgeon Dam	28 miles	Pemene to Sturgeon
Menominee at Quiver	24 miles	Pemene to Quiver
Menominee, Piers Gorge	20 miles	Pemene to Piers