Black (Jackson Co.), WI

WI, Black River, Surf Wave

WI, Black River, Surf Wave
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 1996-01-01

Gauge Information

River Description

2007/2008 UPDATE
Attempting to comply with 'the spirit' of the water sharing agreement with FERC and the National Park Service (through which releases were negotiated), the hydro operations has proposed changes to that agreement. They would lower their cutoff flow to 150 cfs coming into Arbutus (which would mean fewer canceled releases). However, the amount of water released will be lowered significantly as well, as they propose a release of 400 cfs for 3 hours. The intent is to make the top section right below the dam (class IV at that level) boatable.

In addition, they have been making repairs and modifications to the dam and hydro project. For the duration of these repairs, they cannot safely or adequately fulfill any releases, thus, until further notice, all releases are cancelled.

Please call the hydro number (1-888-HYDROWI) before heading here for any releases.

When runnable, this reach can provide some rare "big water" play in Wisconsin.

It may be done as either a 'park-and-play' at the put-in (where the best play waves are) or as the listed three mile run from the dam to the powerplant. The run may be extended to a landing at Hall's Creek to add two more drops, though most forego the added flatwater this necessitates.

The usual run actually starts about a quarter-mile below the dam (the first point reached from the carry-in from normal roadside boater parking). Between the dam and this point lie some serious drops which contains near inescapable boiling cauldrons at standard release levels and higher (class IV-V+).

Note: As long as one puts in below this upper stretch, there no rapids which rise above the class II-III rating.

In times of lower flow the above-mentioned drops are runnable, and may provide some class III-IV entertainment.
Also at times of lower flow (I.E., when this reach is 'dewatered' due to the power plant diverting all the flow), boaters may wish to check out the short reach from below the hydroplant to Hall's Creek landing, as all water which had been diverted from the upper reach will now be returned to the riverbed for these final two drops. Runnability will, of course, depend upon power generation schedules.

For additional description, see Upper Midwest PaddleGuide

For additional photos, see Midwest River Inventory