St. Louis, MN

Gauge Information

River Description

Information on events is available at UMD's Recreational Sports Outdoor Program Paddling Events page.

Greater than normal release flows for select weekends are a result of cooperation between American Whitewater and UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program, Kayak and Canoe Institute to better establish preferential flows for future releases on the Lower St Louis.

Description

Note that all flow information below is actual flow in the reach, not flow as measured by the online gauge.

A quarter mile stretch just below the dam at Hwy.210 (situated in a scenic, dark-rock gorge) is site of slalom/rodeo each August. A series of ledges and waves exist at virtually any water levels. 'Fish flow' of 250 cfs is great for rodeo play on some of these waves. The "210 drop" is a pourover feature just downstream from the Hwy. 210 which allows for good spectating.

Approximately 1/4 mile downstream from the highway, a former railroad trestle spans the river, affording bikers and roller-bladers on the Munger Trail an impressive view of the gorge. This paved "rail-trail" bike path proceeds to the outskirts of Duluth, and makes a fine diversion for non-paddlers, or paddlers taking an 'off-river' day. (Note: fairly steady 2% grade downhill from Thomson to Duluth.)

Downstream, flatwater is punctuated by random boulder bed rapids and minor waves until a small, twisting ledge drop,Twisted Sister is reached which is a fairly straight forward proposition, with the usual line running down the center and twisting off to the right on a small curler. A short pool follows before reaching Second Sister, dropping 4 feet into a strong hydraulic which can be snuck on the left, or at levels over 3000 cfs by following a flood channel around the right. After the second sister, you will see a horizon line signifying Octopus, a class V puzzle best scouted (or portaged) river left. Octopus starts off with a dike of rock. River left, a slot exists through which the river is twisted and falls into a pool below. Some boaters may choose to run this route known as The Beak, but most will slide down a steep-faced rock far to the right, into a pool below. Following this, the river is immediately funneled down between parallel splines of rock leading off to the left. Numerous routes are possible, though tight right (staying high, then 'boofing' into a potentially sticky hole) or well to the left (losing a bit more elevation, with tricky 'trip-rocks' en route, before dropping over a slightly smaller ledge into a slightly smaller hole (beware the rock slightly underwater in the hole). (The name Octopus reportedly derives from eight smaller holes feeding into one larger one.)

Surviving that, additional wide easy rapids and flatwater lead to the island above the Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park. Two very viable choices exist here:

(1) Staying to the left of the island, stay tight to the left shore (you'll probably want to scout, if you haven't ahead of time; Be careful of poison ivy on shore!) to drop through a pourover between shore and a large boulder choking the channel. Boaters may be backendered out of the hole at its base before paddling across a short, highly aerated pool. The usual route then drops out of this hanging pool, over a short ledge, into a mush of water to the right coming from another steep (seldom (or never?) run) slide. An alternate route staying tight to the left wall is not advised, as it contains a couple of 'power-piton' rocks. Before reaching the swinging bridge, one more ledge/wave/hole exists. Do not be deceived by this rather innocuous looking ledge. It is particularly hungry, often munching boats until their owners abandon them. Skirt it to river right or paddle hard off the left.

(2) The other option is to stay to the right of the island, keeping to the right shore as you round the backside of the island. Take out on the right bank to scout the vertical falls, which drops (12-15') into water pouring down a stairstep slot closer to the island. Run fairly close to the right shore, off a slight sloping lip, angled slightly right to plunge into the pool below. Great air! Note that this river right waterfall is only runnable at levels over approximately 1800 cfs. A short channel brings you to the swinging bridge, and rejoins the flow from the other side of the island.

This is the usual low-water, high-water, or less-than-advanced paddler takeout.

Just downstream, you will run down a short rapid ending in a playful hole known as Playpen. After a short play session, prepare for the action to pick up significantly as one enters a long, difficult rapid. This large river drops 180 feet in the next mile, over a bizarre stretch of jutting bedrock. Fin Falls is the entrance to this stretch. The river twists to the right and trips over a short ledge (with upturned lip to provide an auto-boof) into a mushy hole below. Immediately, the flow is diverted left down a narrow channel, through a couple of diagonal waves and holes, tripping around a couple rocks, than dropping through a large, gnarly hole sitting tight against a slightly overhanging wall of rock. At levels above 800cfs the recommendation is to attempt to skirt the hole to the left.

A brief recovery pool leads to another couple boulder choke and ledges, best run down the left. Below this point, the action is hard to describe. The river is wide, and scouting from shore is nearly impossible. Occasionally, one may be able to beach on rock/islands midstream for a breather. In general, the usual route stays well to river right, where the boater trips, slips, and slides down river and rock to work their way down.

The last 50-100 yards gets even steeper, entering The Wall, as some (more advanced) boaters may work back to center river to slide down a large sloping wall of rock. Most will stay to the right to work down more gradual (but still demanding) sluices and ledges to reach the boney pool at the end.

Take out is on the left, climbing over rock jumble on shore, then heading up a small trail, across and through a gully, and climbing (and climbing, and climbing) up to Oldenberg point. (Hope you're in good shape, and have a light boat!)

When you reach the top, take a look back upstream from this overlook for an amazing view (from on high) of the incredible stretch of water you have just survived! In the distance, you will just make out the slot which is Fin Falls.

Check out Julie Keller's great pics of the Open Canoe Nationals.

See Midwest River Inventory for additional images.