Ontonagon, M.Br.

A limited amount of water is spilled from the dam nearly all year
to keep the scenic falls wetted. In spring (and during high-water events)
additional flow will no doubt spill down this stretch.

If only a
'limited' amount of water actually goes down the falls ... where does
the rest of the water coming into the impoundment go? There's no hydro plant in
sight!

Instead of continuing down the Middle Branch, water is diverted into
a connecting canal, into Roselawn Creek, which shortly flows into Bluff Creek, which (miles and mile later) flows into the West Branch Ontonagon, providing more water for the Victoria Falls Hydro plant!

While we could link to the gauge on the Middle Branch (upstream of Bond Falls), it is likely to be a VERY POOR INDICATOR of flows in this section. We are not aware of any way to know how much water is being diverted into Bluff Creek versus how much is coming down the falls and into this run. It is likely to depend more on how much water is already in the W.Br. Ontonagon, and the pool height already at Victoria Falls dam! (No sense sending water from here over to there if they've already got more water than they can handle!)

So ... you can look at that gauge on the upstream section of river to know what's coming down, but it's anybody's guess what's in this section.

From Bond Falls Road (and the dam/impoundment) down to the main drop of Bond Falls, there is nearly a quarter-mile of river. In addition to the natural rock formations, there are numerous cement 'structures' in the river above the main falls. In addition to potentially acting as stepping stones, the purpose of these is to ensure that (even at minimal flows) the maximum amount of the width of the main falls has water splashing down it!

While it may look appealing to run some of this early stretch, the main falls is likely boat/body abuse, as it crashes almost uniformly shallow onto rock. We therefore most strongly recommend hiking (and fantasizing about) the upper stretch, but carrying your boat down the boardwalk and putting in below the falls.

From the boardwalk/put-in, action is swift (at least class II, perhaps marginally class III) but quickly subsides into fairly continuous class I-II.

About 1.5 miles into the run (after passing two houses on river-right shore), the fairly continuous class I-II may increase to (at least marginally) class III for a short stretch, before continuing its class I-II boogie.

Just a way-point. Immediately downstream, the river takes a very quick jig-jog (sharply right, then immediately left) as Class I-II action continues.

Again, mostly a waypoint. Continuous Class I-II continues!

An island splits the flow. River-right may be slightly more flow. Be alert for possible snags. Class I-II action continues. (There may be a couple more significant waves/holes around this island.)

Various maps may show 'CC Road' coming very near the river (from the left/West) at this point. From aerial views, this appears to be no more than a driveway and/or truck trail in the woods, coming back to a house, well off the river (not likely visible from the water).

IF that road is not gated and/or posted as private, it may be possible to shorten trip to this point. It is very likely you would need to seek permission, as this is probably all private property.

Class I-II water continues.

Another waypoint. Class I-II water continues (perhaps a bit diminished, more just class I).

A couple of rather small islands split the flow. It appears (for whatever reason) there may be an increased likelihood of deadfall/snags accumulating at the head of the islands or around one side. BE ALERT!

Another waypoint. Swiftwater (class I) continues to another house/cabin river-left, and beyond.

Another waypoint. A fairly sizeable structure (house or barn) appears on river-right. Riffles, rips, shoals (class I, marginally class II) are far more intermittent, as you are reaching the mid-run doldrums (low gradient).

The river is low-gradient at this point, and encounters an area of islands and braided channel. Massive amounts of wood will accumulate here. Do your best to find your way through the next quarter-mile before all islands and braids end and the flows come together. (As of present aerials, it looks as though heading FAR RIGHT may offer a channel with least problem . . . though take that with a big grain of salt.)

Waypoint. Flatwater broken only by riffles and rips (class I).

After the flats (and snag city), some welcome gradient arises. The next 0.2 miles is class II, perhaps edging into class III.

Waypoint. Prior class II-III has subsided, and yielded to intermittent class I-II.

The prior 2.25 miles is mostly flat/flowing mixed with riffles and rips (class I, perhaps a random class II). As you near the finish, gradient picks up substantially. You will likely wish to run to right before, under, or immediately past the Hwy.28 bridge, but be ready to exit, as gradient very quicly accelerates toward the Berglund-to-Sidnaw Rail-Trail bridge, and to Agate Falls immediately downstream. Failure to exit the river may not be fatal, but would extremely likely be painful (boat and body abuse).