| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 9.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 7 fpm |
| Gauge | Nf Yellow R at Yellow River Rd Nr Perkinstown, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 54 minutes | 7 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 27, 2025 |
River Description
Fine northwoods novice run, with low-grade boulderbed rapids and shoals, interspersed with flat/flowing water.
River Features
Put-in on N.Fk.Yellow (Drainage is 46.5 sq.mi.)
OtherDistance: 0 mi
USGS Gauge is at our listed put-in.
Drainage area at put-in is 46.5 square miles.
Drainage area at take-out is 87.5 square miles (an 88% increase).
Alternative Put-in (on S.Fk.Yellow)
OtherDistance: 0.84 mi
An alternative (to the put-in on the N.Fk.) is to put-in on the S.Fk.Yellow. This is 1.02 miles to the confluence (0.84 miles less). It is a smaller trib (just 21.8 square miles at the bridge), but appears to be just as paddleable. Since both have no 'marked rapids', it is up to your group to decide which to use. (Not sure if parking and river access are better at one or the other option.)
Confluence with S.Fk.Yellow R.
OtherDistance: 1.86 mi
The S.Fk. adds 22 sq.mi. to the drainage area, now bringing the total to 70.6 sq.miles.
Marked rapids #1
OtherDistance: 3.44 mi
There are a number of rapids which are marked on topo maps which we will list here. This is not to suggest these are the only rapids, merely the ones which have been marked. Frankly, some which are marked appear (on aerial/satellite views) to be nearly nothing, while there are areas which are not marked which appear more interesting.
Marked rapids #3
OtherDistance: 5.89 mi
Just upstream of Road 575, which dead ends each side of the river (I.E., there is no bridge).
Take Out
Access PointDistance: 9.41 mi
Trip Reports
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Afternoon on the Yellow - Benjamin Berthiaume
Aug 14, 2022
Our group looked for the entry on Homestead Lane but could only find private residence. Instead we started our trip at North Rd. bridge over the north fork of the yellow river. There is a gauge there. You can access the info about this gauge here. We didn't complete the whole run down to M instead we took out at Sheep Ranch Rd halfway down the run. This take out will be very hard to spot so bringing something brightly colored to mark the landing would be smart.
On the day we paddled the gauge read 85 cfs and this felt like more than enough water. Something that was surprising about this run is that the river actually got more shallow as we proceeded downriver. The north fork was plenty deep to float our canoe and 3 paddlers. The biggest obstacles on the north fork were banks filled with alders and the occasional beaver dam. The main branch held all the rapids. They were up to CI and were in places where the river widened to expose the bottom of the river.
There are no facilities anywhere on the run so be prepared with water, food, and a plan for bathroom needs.