Michigamme - B) Republic Dam to Poplar Street landing (2 miles)


Michigamme, Michigan, US

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B) Republic Dam to Poplar Street landing (2 miles)

Usual Difficulty I-II (for normal flows)
Length 2 Miles

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
MIDDLE BRANCH ESCANABA RIVER NR PRINCETON, MI
usgs-04058100 200 - 2000 cfs I-II 00h31m ~ 161 cfs (too low)
Possible ELF (Extreme Low Flow) for areas of gradient (non-gradient will be fine even at lower flows). Reference gauge (M.Br.Esc. near Princeton, drainage 210 square miles) may slightly understate flows here (flow may be 1.1428*gauge). Correlation not assured.


River Description

If parking and access can be found (and are not disputed) around the dam, it appears there is a potentially fun short run to be had. A rip-snorting start (or park-and-play?) by the dam is followed by significantly ponded areas linking narrows and swifts. Access appears to be available for take-out via unimproved road toward the river opposite Poplar Street.


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2015-03-09 16:54:00

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.5USGS sampling siteN/A
1.1First narrow rapidsN/A
1.7Second ChuteN/A

Rapid Descriptions

USGS sampling site (Class N/A, Mile 0.5)

USGS lists a site here with drainage area of 240 square miles.



First narrow rapids (Class N/A, Mile 1.1)

A good narrowing of the river produces a fine chute and wave train, which may continue a bit downstream around an island.



Second Chute (Class N/A, Mile 1.7)

After a few slight twists and turns, the river narrows a bit further, producing another fine chute, as the river passes two homes (river-right). Just as strong currents die out, your take-out for this short stretch will be on river-right.

It is certainly possible to continue downstream to the next listed section. It is nearly 7 full miles of very predominantly flatwater (a couple minor brief rips), so those primarily interested in whitewater may prefer to take-out at this point.




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