Sands Plains Run: Section 20 Bridge to O'Neal Creek confluence (2.25 miles)Class I-II(III)
2.25 Miles
Avg Gradient 30 fpm
Max Gradient 55 fpm
30161.jpeg
30161.jpeg Photo of D. Cowell Gauge Information
Escanaba, E.Br.
River DescriptionThis is an excellent run for beginners and intermediates during spring run-off. The run is a pool drop style run with 4 distinct short rapids(class I-II at 'normal' water levels, III in spring or high water). Average run time is 45 minutes. There are two logs which must be portaged in the first 1/4 mile, but the run is clear after that. (The second log can sometimes be run under on the far right at lower levels.) You will pass several cabins on river left in the first mile of the run.The first drop (Canyon Rapids) is shortly after the sighting the first cabin on river left(approx 1/3 mile into the run). It is a 30-40 yd run through granite walls 4 feet apart. The drop consists of a slide with a bend to the right in the middle of the rapids and a 3 ft drop at the end. This should be scouted for wood before running. Take out river left before the drop and walk over the footbridge spanning the drop to inspect entire drop. The second rapids are straightforward with a 3-4 foot drop at the end into a sometimes sticky hole. There is a log wedged in the rock on the right side of this run (1/2 way down) which can catch the nose of a kayak and flip it. To avoid it, stay centered or river left on this drop. The third drop is the longest rapid on the run. Shortly after the second rapid, you will take a right and see around 100 yards of boulder bed rapids. They are fairly straightforward and end in a decent hole, great for surfing in the spring. The fourth drop is at the end of the run. It consists of a slide through a rocky area with a 90 degree bend midway and a small drop into a large pooled area at the end ot the run. Takeout is is on river right of this pool, up the sandy bank to the local camping/party area. The drops are almost evenly spaced throughout the run and the flatwater between the runs is still moving at a pace which allows easy paddling from one drop to the next. (The flatwater between the first and second drops often has some small (~ 1 foot) standing waves in it). The private land owners in the cabins have been very friendly but we have stayed in our kayaks when talking to them. Two of the cabins/houses are regularly occupied and have docks in the river. StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2007-02-23 23:00:42
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Mid Br Escanaba R at Humboldt [ MI ] |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI | Escanaba, E.Br.— Sands Plains Run: Section 20 Bridge to O'Neal Creek confluence (2.25 miles) | I-II(III) | 12 cfs* | low | 10/11 15:00 | |
| MI | Escanaba, M.Br.— C) Cataract Basin Dam to powerhouse (0.9 miles) | III-IV | 12 cfs | low | 10/11 15:00 |
| AW Gauge ID: | 1834 |
| USGS Station: | 04057800 |
| HUC: | 04030110 |
| Latitude: | 46.4992 |
| Longitude: | -87.8864 |
| Class: | 4 |
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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2008-05-09 12:46:21 (155 days ago)
The third drop has a log at the very start of this run. It is apx. a foot above water level (at 150 cfs) it is not possible to get under or around. Take out on right just before right turn put in just below log, you can still get most of this run. Edit
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No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
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