Briggs Woods Spillway

River Description

The run consists of five ledge drops. The first 3 ledges are 3', 4' and 5' drops respectively. Punch them at the center for clean landings. A short section of flat water precedes ledges 4 and 5, which are closely spaced for a cumulative drop of 6+ ft (try to <strong>stay right of center at the very bottom to avoid a SHARP block that severely dents and gouges boats and flesh</strong>). Ledges 4 and 5 <em>can't</em> be scouted from your boat. It's an action-packed, fast ride. The best part is there's a trail that parallels the run allowing you to scout the section first, then bag multiple runs. Scouting is highly advised as there's a huge potential for strainers and beaver dams.

Two drainages feed this short stretch: one that feeds the lake/spillway which then merges with the other drainage (Ditch No.166) for the rest of the run to the Boone River.

Note: The cover photo above is the last ledge in Ditch No. 166 before joining the Boone River.

Hazards:
Sharp rocks, beaver dams, narrow channel, micro-eddies, a fast ride. The spillway seldom has more than a trickle over it even when the ditch is flowing strong. If you do happen to find it cranking, scout it carefully and be warned that there are concrete 'current deflectors' about 12' from the spillway.

How to Get There:
Take Hwy 17 south from Webster City a couple miles until you see the signs for Briggs Woods County Park. Enter the park, go past the camp grounds & boat ramp and shelter 3 (north) to the end of the road. From there it's a short hike down to the spillway. Follow the outflow channel a little further to the ditch.