Bad
C) Devil's Gate to Elm Hoist Rd (4.3 to 19.5 miles) ** ACCESS ISSUES **
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 4.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 35 fpm |
| Gauge | Bad River Near Odanah, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 18 minutes | 312 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 19, 2020 |
River Description
Put-in involves carrying nearly a half-mile to put in at the Devil's Gate footbridge (the earliest legal put-in below Copper Falls). On river, much of the early going passes impressive sheer walls up to 200' tall. Rapids are generally boulder-gardens and wave-trains, with a few random ledge/waves. The majority of our recommended, shortened run is within Copper Falls State Natural Area (though there are a few random inholdings of private property).
We are unsure of viability of our listed access for take-out before entering the reservation. Anyone out there have the scoop on this? Help out your fellow boaters via the 'Add a Comment' button which should appear below for all registered, logged-in users!
Beyond our recommended take-out(s), you enter the Bad River Indian Reservation. Light rapids continue intermittently down to the confluence with the Marengo River, and (ever lighter and more inttermittently) to the Potato River, but you'll have increasing flat water and meanders to the take-out at Elm Hoist Road (as has been listed in many old river guidebooks). Additionally, if you do plan on that full run, permission is required from Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
River Features
Put In
Possble 'best' egress
There appears to be a double-track which heads off through the trees from Pufal Road at a slight bend, not far past the East-West stretch and a road/driveway splitting sharply to the right. From various maps, this double-track appears to be within public lands (part of the Copper Falls State Natural Area). It appears (assuming it is not gated or posted as off-limits for vehicles) one could follow it virtually to river's edge as the point of egress for the best action and shortest run of this stretch of river. (Strongly recommended to look at the river and be sure you can recognize this location, especially if vehicles will not be visible from on water!)
That said, there appear to be some additional light boulderbed rapids downstream of this location, with at least one brief area of likely more significant action (possible playspot), if the later listed access is available ( possibly requiring permission from private property owner).
Indian Reservation Boundary
Proceding beyond this point should be done only if permission can be obtained from the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
From their website (http://www.badriver-nsn.gov/history): 'Wisconsin is what is known as a Public Law 280 State which gives criminal jurisdiction on Indian Reservations (except the Menominee) to the state. Civil jurisdiction such as hunting/fishing/gathering laws is a function of the tribe. The tribal court system oversees civil cases while criminal cases are overseen by state courts and enforced by state/county police officers.'
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