Chippewa, WI

Disclaimer

B) Jim Falls (0.5 mile)

Class II-III
0.5 Miles
Avg Gradient 30 fpm
Max Gradient 30 fpm

ELLEN at BIG DROP


ELLEN at BIG DROP
Photo of Ellen M. by Ken S. taken 1969-12-31



River Description

This short reach of river is class II and class III pool-drop rapids, requiring intermediate to advanced skill level. Releases will take place into the original river channel betweeen the dam and Xcel Energy's Jim Falls Hydro Project on the Chippewa River.

The upper portion of this reach contains little more than rocks and current. While some may wish to put in up by the dam to have a little 'warm-up' before the action, most will prefer to just put-in at an old bridge midway down the channel.

Below the bridge, a mix of rocks and chutes provide a few spots for minor play. There are plenty of 'stealth rocks' in the flow and in some eddies, just to keep you on your guard. Reportedly, the summer release flows are somewhat 'thin', so best play may be at the spring levels.

Directions: The Jim Falls Hydro Project is located about 8 miles northwest of Chippewa Falls (between Chippewa Falls and Cornell, WI), at the junction of County Highway Y and Highway 178. The put-in is upstream on river right, in a pool at the old bridge. The take-out is downstream on river right, about 100 yards from the County Y bridge. Parking is available at the put-in.

A sign-in sheet will be posted at the put-in. Please be sure to sign! Records will determine continuity of use of releases at the 6-year evaluation.

For additional information, contact Joe Wawrzaszek at Spring Street Sports, Chippewa Falls: 715.723.6616 or by e-mail at sss@charter.net.

If you'd like to be added to an email list to be advised of each year's release dates, email your request to robert.w.olson@xcelenergy.com.

Additional questions may be directed to Angie Tornes at angie_tornes@nps.gov

Increased flows are provided as a result of hydropower relicensing activities undertaken by Xcel Energy in conjunction with the National Park Service (Rivers & Trails Program), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and local boating groups.

A fine 'companion piece' may be the Big Falls of the Eau Claire, which lies just about 15 miles due south of Jim Falls, and about 9 miles due east of Eau Claire, WI.

StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2007-06-20 14:01:16

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 6

LONG LONG SLIDE


LONG LONG SLIDE  CHIPPEWA RIVER WI
(99.18KB .jpeg)

ELLEN at BIG DROP


ELLEN at BIG DROP  CHIPPEWA RIVER WI
(294.91KB .jpeg)

TANDEM, BIG DROP


TANDEM, BIG DROP  CHIPPEWA RIVER WI
(215.06KB .jpeg)

HI JON !


HI JON !  CHIPPEWA RIVER WI
(202.00KB .jpeg)

BOTTOM OF BIG DROP


BOTTOM OF BIG DROP  CHIPPEWA RIVER wI
(186.67KB .jpeg)

MIDDLE DROP


MIDDLE DROP  CHIPPEWA RIVER WI
(227.14KB .jpeg)

1

This topic does not exist yet

You’ve followed a link to a topic that doesn’t exist yet.

If permissions allow (as a AW Member, you may edit River Wiki, for example) you may create it by using the “Create This Page Button” below by hovering your mouse over the edit wrench.

If you don’t see a wrench, you don’t have permission to edit or edit is turned off.

If you don’t know what you are doing click on the sandbox and instructions link off the create page link.

Gauge Description:

Flows of 850 cfs will be released continuously between April 1 - May 31st each year for fish spawning.

Additional whitewater flow releases of 650 cfs will occur four times annually in July and August during the six year evaluation period.
WXPort

News



icon of message 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

2004-11-22 23:38:25 (1340 days ago)
glenn felskeDetails
a better put in spot is another 500 feet north on 178 past the old bridge.A historical marker and picnic area provides a parking lot and easy access to the river.The river is very shallow and a short walk up river is required during normal level.This put in allows you to get lined up on the river left chute below the bridge.this is a narrow chute that starts with a left turn into a gradual slope down streem.During normal levels, there are 2 rocks at the end of the chute.A hard right is required although I have managed to canoe threw them.
Add a Comment

Rapid Descriptions

icon of message No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.

Associated Rivers

Events

Calendar Control Date:
Calendar by Date by Title By Year

July 2008

S M T W T F S
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2

Events
  (iCal)  

Associated Projects

AW Membership Status

Please join AW.

To enjoy extra features of this website please register by clicking here.No permissions.

Volunteer Opportunities / Activities

StreamTeam


Journal Archive Articles

  (RSS)  
  (KML)help  
  (mobile)  

 River Alert  
 State News  
 River Links  
 River Info (mobile)