Firesteel
N.Firesteel Road to Lakeshore Drive (12.5 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 12.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 12 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 6, 2018 |
River Description
Fine canoe-tripping or kayak cruising stretch.
A couple miles of flatwater access and egress, but between that appears to be nearly continuous low-grade rapids (riffles and rips), interspersed with a few areas of somewhat more interesting action.
More specifically, the first three miles are only 4 FPM, followed by two miles of 10 FPM. The middle three-to-four miles clip along nicely around 20 FPM, then it eases back for a mile-and-a-half at about 18 FPM, before dropping off to 7 FPM about two-and-a-half miles to the take-out.
River Features
USGS sampling site
USGS lists a sampling site on the E.Br.Firesteel (nearly 12 miles upstream of our suggested put-in), showing drainage at Hwy.36 of 13 square miles.
USGS sampling site
USGS lists a sampling site on the W.Br.Firesteel (nearly 12 miles upstream of our suggested put-in), showing drainage at Hwy.36 of 29 square mile.
Put In: ~76.6 Sq.Mi. drainage
Drainage area at our put-in (as calculated by USGS Streamstats App) is 76.6 sqare miles.
Riffles, rips, and waves!
Mostly flat/flowing prior to this point, but from here . . . almost continuous low-grade (class I, edging into class II perhaps, at optimum flows).
Increased action
Through this next brief stretch, there may be a few more significant ledge/waves and holes (at some flows). At least class II, possibly edging into class III at optimum flows. Rounding the next bend, action subsides back to the continuous I-II, as before.
Increased action
Again, action picks up very briefly, then returns to class I-II riffles and rips.
Ledges/waves/holes
A couple apparent ledges/waves/holes back-to-back (possible minor play, at optimum flows).
More waves/holes
A sweet looking (if brief) sequence through here! Action subsides not far downstream, leaving flat/flowing paddle to the take-out.
USGS sampling site
USGS lists a sampling site here with drainage area of 84 square miles.
Take Out
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