Au Train, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III-IV+ (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Avg. Gradient | 100 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 100 fpm |
Quick Facts:
Location: 10 miles SW of Munising, or 30 miles SE of Marquette.
Shuttle Length: 0.8 mile. (See details in "Directions" Tab.)
Character: Possibly runnable dam, boogie water, and two wide, shallow steep slides.
Drainage area at put-in: approximately 80 square miles.
Put-in is approximately 751' elevation (or 777' above the dam).
Take-out is approximately 650' elevation.
Thus total elevation change is approximately 100' (or 127' including the dam).
This makes the 'effective gradient' 166 FPM (100'/0.6 mi), or 212 FPM including the dam.
An astounding pair of wide, steep slides, separated by some boogie water and a few wild waves and
holes. This one is 'constructed backwards' -- the river is fairly narrow though most of the
reach, and spreads wide as it comes into the two big falls. As a result, with enough water to
make the big drops anything more than grungy, it is likely that the lead-in stretches will be
wild and fast!
Addendum: As of spring, 2009, UPPCO is looking into the possibility of selling or abandoning this
project (removing the dam). See details at the UPPCO
Website.
Visual inspection only. Reach is normally dewatered due to hydro project, and will run only when 'lake' is full and inflow is high (or when, for whatever reason, the flume/powerhouse are not operating and water is allowed to spill through the natural channel).
Drainage area at put-in is approximately 80 square miles.
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. No Comments
Add a Comment| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | Upper Falls | IV |  |
| 0.5 | Au Train Falls | IV | |
The river swings to the left and passes under the penstock (pipe) for the second time (it first passes under it immediately after the dam). Immediately downstream of this second crossing, it drops down a steep sliding falls. The bedrock starts sloping a ways upstream, so get out to scout well before the penstock (if you have not throroughly scouted before you put on).
After a 'corridor' of lesser gradient (populated with smaller ledges, holes, and waves), the river takes a very slight bend to the right and a horizon line will be encountered. Au Train Falls starts out with a ledge of perhaps 5-6' vertical, fairly uniformly across the wide river. (This means the water will be shallow and grungy at the lip of the drop as well as the landing -- expect no 'cushion'.) The bedrock slopes away into a long series of slides, passing under a driveway (to the powerplant) and twisting off to the right. A few more ledges and holes will be encountered before the river tames down as it heads off through the woods.
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Au Train M94/Dam to below power house (0.6 mile) (mobile)
