Cedarburg City Park to CTH.T (2.3 miles)Class II-III
2.3 Miles
Avg Gradient 33 fpm
Max Gradient 55 fpm
Gauge Information
Cedar Creek
River DescriptionGeneral Overview The run consists of shallow bedrock rapids, short ledges, and gorge/dells. In the lower reaches of this run, the gradient has largely 'petered out', but current is still swift. Novice boaters may find themselves in trouble as they negotiate bends and snags, though lately there does seem to be an increase in 'caretaking' of this reach. Main playable drops are: City Park Ledge, Bank Waves, Estate Bridge, and Railroad Ledge. Note: this is one of the later southern Wisconsin streams to 'open up' in spring, due to the ponds (behind the two dams on the run) which do not quickly flush free of ice. Specifically, the second one (above the 'Nail Factory Dam') lies in an East-West stretch of river which tends to be rather sheltered from the sun, so it may remain ice-covered and impassible well after other rivers in the area have flushed free of ice.
References StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2008-07-15 11:51:59
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Gauge is a few miles upstream of this reach. While dams intervene, all are top-spill 'non-regulated' dams which effectively pass all water through.
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The 'recommended minimum' (100 cfs) will have most of the run be quite a scrape, but minor play will be possible at a couple spots. The run has been floated at levels below this, but is not recommended. The 'recommended maximum' (600 cfs) is only set as an indicator of levels 'above the norm'. The river is runnable much higher, and, in fact, many experienced boaters will prefer levels above this value, indeed using it as almost their 'minimum'!
| Flow (cfs) | Class | Suitable for | Description |
| 100 - 200 | I-II | beginner/novice | Minimal whitewater play; most of run is scrapey; Estate Bridge is playable |
| 200 - 600 | II-II+ | novice/intermediate | Better; adds minor play at Bank Waves and Railroad Ledges |
| 600 - 1100 | II-III | intermediate/expert | Optimal; all features are well formed and playable |
| 1100-1800 | III+ | Well-experienced strong-skilled paddlers only |
Much care must be taken around the two dams/portages.
Due to the high banks, the run will be feature powerful water with few eddies. There will be serious risk/danger. Especially in the lower portion of the run, boaters must proceed around bends in river with caution. Deadfall and strainers are a recurring problem, and high water means extreme risk if you cannot maneuver quickly to avoid being swept into them.
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| 1800+ | III+ | No one! | Somewhere up in this range most features tend to wash out. No features (other than the two dams to portage) truly rise above a class III rating (since there essentially will be no real features on the run). However, due to the high banks, the run will be a freight-train fast-flush with virtually no eddies. There will be serious risk/danger (especially due to strainers in the lower portion of the run), and we cannot recommend that anyone even think about putting on this river at these levels. There will undoubtedly be far better choices to run in the area. |
CEDAR CREEK NEAR CEDARBURG [ WI ] |
Current Conditions
Station Graphs |
| Level Legend: | Running | Below Minimum Recommended Flow | Above Maximum Recommended Flow | Unknown |
| State | River Name/Section | Class | Level | Rel. Level | Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | Cedar Creek— Cedarburg City Park to CTH.T (2.3 miles) | II-III | 70 cfs | low | 7/24 19:00 |
| AW Gauge ID: | 1875 |
| USGS Station: | 04086500 |
| HUC: | 04040003 |
| Latitude: | 43.3231 |
| Longitude: | -87.9786 |
| Class: | 5 |
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. User Comments |
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2008-05-25 08:50:55 (60 days ago)
Rob Smage
I completely respect Ande's opinion. However, I think a careful reading of all information provided (in the "River Info", "Flow Info" and "Rapids" tabs) would readily explain precisely what should be expected at the presently stated 'minimum suggested level'. Each boater will set their own 'minimums' for each and every reach. I set minimums at what I consider 'bare bones, extreme low flow' minimum to even call it a whitewater experience. Anyone with better than truly beginner skills obviously will want more water than that. (In point of fact, I know of runs in 17' canoe, no less, at levels as low as 57 cfs!) Similarly, I have explained that the 'maximum suggested level' is NOT intended as a 'maximum boatable level', but as a level above which the river takes on a decidedly different character -- it steps up a notch in difficulty and danger -- and should probably not be done by the same folks who would regularly do it at the lower levels. Regarding the high-water 'caveats', again, I believe those are well covered in the "Flow Info" section. Beyond that, I am curious and perplexed what you mean by "some of these rivers in SE WI are getting down-rated." Could you elaborate? (Perhaps best by direct email, rather than continued 'comments' on this reach.)
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2008-05-12 02:41:02 (73 days ago)
I would suggest a minimum level closer to 300 cfs, which still feels quite low, and an upper limit of closer to 1,000. That top level would also include any and all caveats due for those paddlers that like to paddle rivers at higher flows. Sorry Rob, I think some of these rivers in SE WI are getting down-rated.
Ande Meyer Edit
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2007-11-21 07:02:29 (246 days ago)
Rob Smage
As of August, 2007, just downstream of the 'Bank Waves', at the right-hand-bend at the start of the backwater from the Nailfactory Dam, a large tree has fallen into the water. The outflow from the 'Bank Waves' heads straight toward shore and the tree. While most of the branches have been removed (sawed off), boaters should be aware that there remain a few 'stubs' (12-18" length) in the water off the main trunk. Any play at the 'Bank Waves' runs a risk (at least at high flows -- above 600 cfs) of boaters washing into this snag if upside-down or out of their boat. While the liklihood of serious entrapment should be small, it is a possibility to be aware of.
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2007-11-21 01:10:47 (246 days ago)
Rob Smage
As of spring, 2007, downstream of the main gradient (after passing Estate Bridge, Railroad Bridge, and another private bridge across the creek, after the point where the creek splits into two channels around a large island):
the river-left channel has a large tree which has accumulated quite a pile of wood. There is an open channel to the tight-right shore, but it will take well-skilled boaters to successfully negotiate it at flows above three or four hundred cfs.
A tree which had slumped into the right channel around this island has been sawed to create good clearance through that channel, which is the preferred route.
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Put-in |   | |
| 0.0 | City Park Ledges | III |  |
| 0.7 | Highland Road Dam |   | |
| 0.7 | Bank Waves | II |  |
| 1.0 | Nail Factory Dam (~18.5') | | |
| 1.2 | Estate Bridge Wave | II+ | |
| 1.2 | Railroad Waves | II | |
| 1.5 | Island | ||
| 2.1 | Squirt Spot | | |
| 2.2 | Take-out (CTH.T) |  |
We usually park on the street and carry upstream just a bit to put in just behind the Silver Creek Brewpub. A small ledge/wave midstream can provide some minor entertainment (surfing and attainments) before heading down the first drop.
By the way, some folks may 'eye' the dam just upstream. While I am aware of at least one claim of having run it (supposedly 'accidentally', though that's hard to imagine), it cannot be recommended. The 'landing zone' is almost uniformly shallow bedrock, making boat damage and injury likely.
A nice set of ledges (maybe 4-5' of drop in 15' or so of river) provide a somewhat exciting start to the run. Minor play is possible here at certain levels, though always rather limited by shallowness and vertical stone walls constricting the stream.
***NON RUNNABLE***
Take out river-right, at a landing upstream of the bridge, to portage this dam. You will carry across the road and through the back yard of a private home. Please be respectful of the property. It would be best (as a formality) to stop by (while you are scouting or shuttling, before putting in) and notify the owner (if they are home) about what you are doing (boating the river) and ask permission to (carefully, and respectfully) carry through their backyard to continue downriver.
We will not discount the possibility that some properly skilled (or significantly lucky) boater may be able to successfully run this dam (and paddle away, without injury). However, the 'landing zone' is almost uniformly shallow (at most water levels), and (at higher water levels) there will be a nasty boil-line with shoreline eddies pulling strongly back towards the dam. Thus, we must consider and represent that this dam (for all intents and purposes) should be considered UNRUNNABLE.
Some sloping bedrock and minor ledges create a short sequence of waves, which can allow some minor play at low-to-moderate levels. At levels from 600-1600+ cfs, these build up quite nicely to provide really nice surfs. Somewhere about 2000 cfs and higher, these almost totally wash out, and there is little reason to do the whole run.
While this has been run (at lower water levels, around 300 cfs, +/-), most boaters will opt to portage, river-right. One has to pass (boat and body) through a fence, bushwhack a bit, and carefully make their way down a steep bank to get back on stream.
For anyone considering running the dam, be aware that the right bank (in the 'landing zone') angles in considerably, so you want to be at least 10-15' off the right flank of the dam to avoid a hard piton on landing. Rescue would be difficult here since it is not easy for anyone to get near the river at the base of the dam. Anyone caught in the boil-line (at higher flows) would be in serious trouble.
A rocky outrun from the dam creates some strong currents down through a vertical walled dells. Some minor play may be possible within this area.
Increasing gradient leads down to a bridge-pier which constricts the creek, and a wave forms alongside. Boaters need to have good skills (particularly as flow increases) to catch a river-left eddy under the bridge to do any repeat play here. Minor play is available as low as 100 cfs (though all else will be extremely boney). Play increases as levels rise, and sweet surfs are available on a powerful fast wave from 600-1600+ cfs, though it will never really allow much for the 'rodeo boater' crowd.
A small ledge creates a minor wave here at many flows. Minor surfing play is possible.
A large island (for such a relatively small creek) splits the flow.
The (historically) main channel is off to the left, but often contains deadfall which requires significant skill and maneuvering to avoid problems. Since there is no real gradient remaining (no rapids), and since this route is longer and so prone to snags, this left channel is NOT RECOMMENDED.
To the right lies an 'overflow' channel, which is the PREFERRED ROUTE. It is shorter, straighter, less prone to snags, and generally less problematic navigation.
Do be aware that just after the island, after rejoining the flow from the main channel, there is a large deadfall. While there is adequate passage, some attention and maneuvering will be necessary.
In the 'flow shadow' of a private island (with foot-bridge from private yard), there is generally sufficient depth and some fairly interesting currents (at higher water levels) to allow some playing with stern-squirts and bow-stalls.
While one could proceed downstream, the gradient has largely petered-out at this point. And, it's tough to beat a 2.2 mile run, with only a 0.8 mile shuttle.
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