Presque Isle, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III-V (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 8.2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 51 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 105 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK RIVER NEAR BESSEMER, MI | ||||
| usgs-04031000 | 1.85 - 3.50 ft | III-V | 02h33m | 1.29 ft (rc= -0.3 ) |
Aug '04 Update/Access
The listed put in for this reach, Steiger's bridge, is privately owned, as are the roads leading
up to it. In Spring '04, paddlers were informed that, due to liability concerns on the part of
the owner, the road would be closed to public usage. Access to Steiger's bridge may be gated and
unavailable, thus necessitating a "full" Presque run from Underwood Tower Rd. down to paddle this
reach. Total length of the combined reaches is 15.7 miles.
Classic run once considered "cutting edge" whitewater. Triple Drop, Nakomis, Lepisto, and Iagoo
Falls are the major drops. There is much great play water after the gorge, particularly at higher
water levels (above 7.5', when Triple Drop and Nakomis will likely be portaged).
Historically, most groups took out at the South Boundary Road Bridge, however, the final mile to
the lake contains some interesting, big, runnable (for experts) drops, and increasingly is now
done as a 'first choice' run. (See Bottom Presque for description and
photos.) Those not choosing to run this reach will want to at least enjoy the views from
overlooks and footbridge in the park.
AW members may click
here for Part 1 of an article from the AW Journal, way back in 1981!
AW members may click
here for Part 2 of the article.
In addition to this reach, the article also describes the following:
Michigan's
Upper Presque Isle,
Middle Black,
Lower Black,
Upper Silver,
Lower Silver,
Falls, and
Rock,
and Wisconsin's
Lower Brunsweiler,
Montreal, W.Fk., and
Montreal Canyon.