Chocolay, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | I-II(III) (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 5.7 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 59 fpm |
There are no 'big' drops on this reach. Most drops are boat-scoutable at normal levels except for
areas of constriction due to wood. The rapids consist of a series of ledges creating waves and
holes.
As the river starts to pick up the pace, one will encounter more waves until you reach a series
of ledges with a house on river left. There are numerous places to play but no eddies. As one
passes the house, there is another river wide hole that can be quite sticky and should not be
taken lightly (Class III). It can be punched anywhere but will require you to paddle out of it.
It also might offer some play.
From here the river will bend right and you will encounter much wood. It is best to scout this
because the line through will not be obvious. From here on the river starts to mellow out. There
will be some more standing waves and then it will eventually become flatwater. It is about a half
mile flawater paddle to the take out at Green Garden Road.
Rescues are difficult because of the lack of eddies and there are two nasty holes that deserve a
Class II+/III rating. A significantly obstructed channel (due to wood) after the main rapids
makes it deserve a class III rating at high water due to the potential for serious mishap. The
wood obstruction makes rescues difficult if a boater should swim in the main rapids near the
house. Get swimmers and their gear to shore quickly. Lower water levels will likely be boney
because the river is quite shallow in places even at high water/flood stage.
Flooding forecasts for the Chocolay River near Harvey are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Reliability of the forecast is based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions.
NOTE: Automated gauge readings are unavailable, readings taken manually. Gauge location:Latitude: 46.489000° N, Longitude: 87.329000° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83USGS. Gauge is found on the web at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=mqt&gage=hrvm4. At the put-in, if the water is above the base of the tree on the river left bank the run will be good. It is runnable up to a foot below the base but will be boney.
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. | Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 | marked 'rapids' | N/A |  |
| 3.0 | marked 'rapids' | N/A | |
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NWRI - Chocolay Hwy.41 to Cty Road BH (Green Garden Rd) (5.7 miles) (mobile)
User Comments
longer then 2.2 miles. I took my time, played in one spot for about 45 minutes, and it took about 2
1/2 hours. There is a gauge on the river near M-28 and according to the USGS, the level on the 13th
was 4.5'. They only take occassional readings. The level was probably less then this when I ran it.
The water was in the banks and up to the grass line and tag alder. I don't think you would want to
run it at a much lower level. The first 1/3 was a pleasant class 1 run in a narrow, winding river.
One tree to limbo under and one tree to portage around. You then come to a river wide ledge with a
great play spot. Great for surfing, too shallow for any 'tricks', though I don't have any. Plan to
play here as this turned out to be the best spot. The next 1/3 of the reach has a number of class 2
river wide ledges. These were getting a little shallow when I went through. This section also
included a tree that I dragged over. The last 1/3, the river meanders, splits around islands and
has a few rocks. The level was just runnable. I walked the shuttle and it took about an hour to
hike the 4 miles. There is good parking at both ends. At very high water this would/could be a
class 3 with the downed trees and river wide ledges.