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 | 02h05m | 1.38 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. Alternate options are:
"full" Presque run, doing the Upper Presque at Underwood Tower
Road and continuing down to paddle this reach. Total length of the combined reaches is 15.7
miles,
Doing the Copper
Creek to the Presque, which unfortunately comes in below 'the canyon' (Nakomis and Triple
Drop),
or hiking in (a LONG hike).
This is a 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).
Early runs of this, 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.