Pemebonwon, N.Br.,

Smalley Falls to Long Slide Falls (1.4 miles)

WI, Peme Bon Won, Long Slide Falls

WI, Peme Bon Won, Long Slide Falls
Photo by Mark Mastalski taken June 15, 2002

Gauge Information

River Description

The N.Br.Pemebonwon is a short run (or pair of 'quick hits') that may serve well as a 'chaser' to a day of paddling owing to it's easy access. Both access points are located within Marinette County Parks off of Morgan Park Rd east of Hwy 141/8 near Pembine (follow Park Service signs). There is a nominal parking fee. Long Slide and Smalley Falls are both worth a look even if you don't intend to 'drop the falls' or paddle this reach.

Put-in is by carrying the trail from the parking area at Smalley Falls County Park to above or below the drop depending upon your skills, interest, and prevailing water level. Smalley consists of a fast approach, boulderbed and small ledge, to a complicated drop into a narrow chute. Total drop through the Smalley sequence is about 20'-25'. There are several smaller boulderbed drops below this point and then a bit of moving flat-water before Long Slide Falls. Most boaters will be well advised to take-out above this drop (when it looks like the end of the world ahead) and carry to the parking area.

While the name 'Long Slide' may conjure up visions of fun, the actual drop is anything but. The drop is not a slide at all but a steep constricted bouldery cascade of 40'- 45' that often has chunks of wood lodged in it just for good measure. There have been rumours of a run years back, and a more recent substantiated run (which, as I understand it, was 'not pretty'). Potential consequences of a mistake here are very high.

There are minor rapids, riffles and rips downstream, and a couple possible access points, but in general very little to recommend much additional paddling downstream.

This may pair well with its sister reach on the S.Br.Pemebonwon located several miles south.