Poplar, MN Lutsen ski hill to golf course bridge above Hwy 61 (2.2 miles) Class II-IV+(V) 2.2 Miles Avg Gradient 170 fpm Max Gradient 200 fpm River Description Put-in is via carrying down from Lutsen Ski Area parking lot, or (alternatively) by driving (or hiking) further up toward the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) bridge and carrying down to wherever it looks survivable (an awesome stretch of serious cascades precedes the runnable reach). Action starts with busy technical continuous class II+ water. A few larger individual drops are interspersed. The biggest drop is Bialek's Surprise and the gorge immediately below (1st descent was by accident, Surprise!). This is the (V) in the rating description at anything other than low water. Beyond this is more fun boogeying until the golf course bridge. Just beyond this bridge a very significant drop exists. While it may be runnable, it seldom is run due to putting the paddler into a deep gorge with poor egress. For photos, see Midwest River Inventory StreamTeam Status: unverified Last Updated: 2004-06-07 18:57:02

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Gauge Description:

A USGS staff gauge (no internet listing) used to exist in the gorge downstream of the usual takeout for this reach. Levels between about 3.7' and 5.0' are runable, with 4.2' being perhaps 'optimum'. Bridges in ski area become hazards around 5.0 and higher.

As of Spring of 2001 it appears the gauge has either washed out or been destroyed. As a result, the best 'gauge' may be to park at the Lutsen Ski Area and hike down the ski slopes to inspect at the bridges. If the rapids look runnable, and the bridges are sufficiently above water to duck under, the level should be good.

Minnesota DNR maintains a gauge for this river. Click Here to see that gauge.

Note: You can use the pull-down menus to change the graph from 'Preliminary Stage'  (feet) to 'Discharge' (cfs), and to change the numver of days of data displayed. Once you make your selections, press the "Change" button for the changes to take effect and a new graph to be displayed.

Correlation to the former USGS gauge is not known. Recommended flows are not known.

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