| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 7.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Gauge | St. Louis River Near Skibo, Mn |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 7 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 28, 2011 |
River Description
Put-in: above 1650'
Take-out: at 1510'
Total drop: ~140'
Topo maps reveal a series of marked rapids on this stretch, and satellite view seems to show additional areas of likely rapids. We have no specific knowledge or information other than what can be gleaned from Google satellite views. Thus, class/rating is strictly conjecture (until/unless we get first-hand info from someone). The river looks to be fairly good sized and fairly 'open' (not badly overhung by trees, therefore appears fairly clear of problems with deadfall -- obviously subject to change).
Resolution on Google Satellite view is pretty good. Go to the 'Maps' tab, click 'Satellite', double-click near the put-in (not on the icon, just right near it), and zoom in to near maximum resolution, then drag/scroll to do a 'virtual walk' of this stretch of river.
Have your seen this stretch? Have you boated it? Can you provide any details? Add a comment or report! Photos (if you have them) would be great!
River Features
marked rapids
RapidDistance: -7.17 mi
(This is more than seven miles upstream of listed put-in. There does not appear to be good access to this location. There may be logging roads or other means (which are not 'known' to Google and not apparent on satellite view) that will get you here. They are being listed/shown here only for information for any more intrepid explorers.)
Coming west out of Seven Beaver Lake, the river turns sharply south along the railroad. The topo map shows a marked rapids here. Nothing is particularly obvious from satellite view other than that the river narrows significantly through here.
marked portage!
PortageDistance: -6.66 mi
At this location on the topo maps, there is a marked 'Portage'! This suggests there may be some good rapids or falls in the next section of river which early explorers needed to portage in their craft. Sounds like it could be an opportunity to explore at good water levels!
marked portage!
PortageDistance: -5.97 mi
Another marked 'portage', suggesting another stretch of potentially interesting river!
Put In
Access PointDistance: 0 mi
marked rapids #1 - Upper Island Drop
RapidDistance: 1.35 mi
Greater flow appears to go left of an island at this location, lesser flow goes to the right. Check out each for possible run/play. After a brief pool, the gradient picks up again. The river drops more than 20' in less than a half-mile (from above the island to the end of the boulderbed below the mid-pool). OK, that's not major gradient, but it should be good for some good low-grade rapids.
marked rapids #2 - Downstream of RR
RapidDistance: 4.63 mi
After passing under the Duluth-Masabi Rail line a number of islands will be encountered. The river hooks to the left (south) and narrows considerably. There are apparent ledges and boulderbed down to the next wider pool.
marked rapids #3 - Islands and shoals
RapidDistance: 6.46 mi
Apparent ledges and boulderbed, and a series of islands to split the flow.
marked rapids #4 - Lower Island drop
RapidDistance: 7.13 mi
Another large island splits the river. Rocky rapids appear to populate both channels.
Take Out
Access PointDistance: 7.3 mi
Trip Reports
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Skibo Mill to CR 110 Low, bumpy, and lots of fun. - Joshua Jones
May 9, 2026
Took my packraft for a walk! Parked on the road. Finishing CFS on the gauge was \\\~410. There was a river wide beaver dam about a mile in that I was able to find a tongue through (sketchy), probably would have to be portaged at any lower levels. After that, it was mostly clear. Lots of wood to dodge and almost every rapid was really bumpy but passable! A half a mile from the bridge, the river splits into two, the river left channel is steep, but would go. I took the right channel but it ended in a river wide strainer that I easily portaged around. Right before the end was the most fun, splashiest rapid, around a corner. I wouldn’t call 400-450 “high runnable” i‘d call it ”low runnable”. Would be fun to check out this section at higher flows, it was up to 800 recently.