Oconto, N.Br.

A) Tar Dam Rd (FS 2104) to CTH.W (7.5 miles)

Reach banner
DifficultyII
Length7.2 mi
Avg Gradient24 fpm
GaugeOconto N.br. (nr Mountain)
Flow Rate as of 34 minutes
163 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedSeptember 27, 2011

River Description

There are several different put-ins for this reach depending upon a paddler's interests. The 'traditional' put-in is from Tar Dam Rd but there are two alternate choices downstream of this location for paddlers that wish to minimize the flat/moving water paddling. (The distance and average gradient figures listed above reflect the entire reach.)

Tar Dam Rd

There are several class I-II rockbed drops shortly below the bridge. The remainder of the 1.1 miles to the next bridge is moving water only.

Old Hwy 32

Starting from this point yields a run of 5.9 miles. Loon Rapids begins about a half mile below the bridge and consists of some class I-II rockbed with one low sloping ledge (II). This ledge can create a strong hydraulic at high flows, which is evident from above and easily skirted on the left. Two miles of moving water follows and then a paddler encounters an enjoyable twisting series of class II rockbed drops in the quarter mile or so above the next bridge.

Hwy 32/64

Starting from this point yields a run of 2.8 miles and is recommended for those looking primarily for whitewater. The next mile and a half is near-continuous class I-II rockbed rapids, a joy for the paddler used to the 'lake/drop' nature of many Wisconsin rivers. This slows up a bit where there are several cabins close to the water river left. Just below, the river braids into several channels, some of which may contain trees. The section of braided channel serves as a warning that Krammer Dam Rapids is just ahead. Though the dam is long since gone, this is perhaps the most challenging part of this reach, edging into class III territory at high flows. The river takes a hard left just above the drop, and there is a decent eddy river right for scouting (though it's easy enough to boat scout). The river drops through a hard turn back to the right and features some sizable waves. This

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River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Old 32

Distance: 1.22 mi
Access Point
Old 32

Alternate put-in site (see description).

Hwy.32/64

Distance: 4.5 mi
Access Point
Hwy.32/64

Alternate put-in site (see description).

Take Out

Distance: 7.5 mi
Take Out

ML
Mark Ledebuhr

Jun 18, 2010


approaching the first set of rapids

ML
Mark Ledebuhr

Jun 18, 2010


approaching first set of rapids