Chippewa,

Mount Pleasant (1 mile)

Usual Difficulty	I-II (may vary with level)

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
CHIPPEWA RIVER NEAR MOUNT PLEASANT, MI
usgs-04154000	125 - 1000 cfs	I-II	00h42m	322 cfs (rc= 0.2 )

River Description

Two possible play sites are located near downtown Mount Pleasant. One is at Island Park. Go into the park, hang a right and follow the road around until you get to the parking lot. Look west and you will see a bridge ... the rapids are right there.

The second (and potentially more interesting) site is just a bit upstream. Access is by driving west through town on Broadway, crossing the river and proceeding about 0.2mi to Leaton Road. Turn left (south) and proceed into a park. The rapids begin just under a large bridge.

Summer of 2002 the city removed a dam, uncovering 5 feet of drop in 500 feet of distance. A series of five rock weirs (to prevent the silt from going downstream and killing all aquatic life) were installed. Local boaters and 'officials' cooperated to construct the weirs in such a way as to facilitate whitewater play in this stretch. Based on low water 'tests' so far, it appears they were quite successful, as (even at flows of 120-150 cfs) there are playable waves and good eddies.

(This description will be updated as the course is experienced at a wider range of water levels. Our thanks to Ryan Storzbach for providing information on this project.)