Embarrass, S.Br.
Tigerton Dells: Hwy.45 to CTH.M (2.4 miles)
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 2.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | Tigerton Dells Virtual |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 99 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 28, 2021 |
River Description
A mostly flatwater access paddle contains a few good warm-up drops which allow some fine, easy play. What could otherwise be a peaceful access is likely to be disturbed by the roar of off-road vehicles in the adjacent Tigerton OHV Park and Campground.
The crux of this run is a wonderful finale at the dells. A half-mile of continuous action, through a rock walled rocky dells, demands strong intermediate skills. (Be very vigilant, looking well downstream for rocks and possible wood! There will not be many eddies and action will be swift at moderate or higher flows.) Flips or swims are likely to be brutal. For strong paddlers, numerous play spots (generally with 'two-boat' eddies) exist in this stretch.
This reach is fairly short, so you may wish to combine it with one or more other sections which are close by (for a Shawano County double- or triple-header):
River Features
Put In
First Access Rapid
The 'access paddle' portion of the run does have a couple minor rapids. This is the first of these. Generally it rates class I-II.
Second Access Rapid
The second rapids on the 'access paddle' is also fairly simple, class I-II.
Bridge/Portage
A bridge spans the river. A HUGE tree has fallen upstream of the bridge. There is NO passage on the river, and a portage is required.
Diamond-D Ranch Rapids
Islands split the river. The widest/main channel is to the right. At higher flows, a narrow center channel may be run (fairly simple), and the left channel offers a rock-boof move.
After D
There is a short rapids after leaving the 'Diamond D' Ranch property, but before you get to the main event, the dells.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPaddled at 136cfs and it was easily managed, a few more exposed rocks but easily maneuverable throughout all of the rapids. We were not getting hung up on rocks either. I would say the minimum level to paddle would be around 110cfs but I would risk it at 100 if I was itching. Currently the County M bridge is out but you can park at the end of the run on river right. There is a trailer river right at the take out that is currently habit-ted by a few younger guys. Give them a heads up when you park at the end what you are up to as a courtesy so they aren't confused as to why a car is now oddly there.
In April 2018, a local resident who lived in a trailer adjacent to the take-out died in a tragic fire and suicide. Given the sensitive nature of the situation and family issues regarding the parcel, we suggest avoiding the take-out at the County M Bridge. It’s probably best to skip this run for the immediate future.
We ran this at 570cfs, this was a pretty full river. The most the lady living at the take-out had seen in a decade. The beginning small rapids that border the park had some minor surfing at this level. The 3rd set after the bridge, which was just high enough to squeeze under in a full duck, had all 3 channels open. The river right one, with the most water, was a clean drop of wave trains. The center was less exiting and the river left was fun with a skip off a pillow in front of a rock. The rapid just after the park developed a nice hole, which had a pretty clean line through on the left side. Was on the steep side for my play skill level, see pics. The upper dells should be scouted as it has 2 fair sized wave/holes. Both flushed well, but a look is always safe. The lower straight section of dells was a nice straight forward section, boat scoutable. I posted a few pics and vids to give an idea of the level.
The embarrass rain gauge showed 4.5' of rain. This was close to the peak flow, there were no signs on the banks that the water was receding.
We ran the dells at 270 cfs and falling. Was a great section of dells, just remember to avoid the big hole at the start of the straight section of tigerton dells.
You probably want to ask permission to park at the take out as it is no longer a bar, but apartments.
This is the right channel (main) of the a rapid signaled by a wooden car bridge at Diamond D Ranch. Soon after is a gently sliding rapid. virtual gauge at 240cfs, also see visual at takeout.
This was a short rapid/slide before the dells section starts.
This was at a virtual of 240 cfs and was runnable, but with rock dodging being a big part of the run. Tigerton Dells 'bar' is no more, one of the people living there allowed us to park and walk up to the dells.
The straight shot of dells is preceeded by another fun dells section that comes after a small island splits the river (with a log foot bridge in the right channel) . Virtual gauge was *240 cfs. See takeout visual gauge too.
Bill Diedrich leading the way through the Tigerton Dells section of the Embarrass River on the Ten Rivers Expedition.