Carp (Marquette)
B) 'Upper': Carp Lake dam to CR553 (Marquette Mtn.) (2.88 miles)
| Difficulty | III-V(V+) |
| Length | 2.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 167 fpm |
| Gauge | Middle Branch Escanaba River at Humboldt, Mi |
| Flow Rate as of 55 minutes | 69 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2019 |
River Description
Putting in below a dam, where the entire flow of the river is diverted through a pipe and spews forth to drop 50' (+/-) into the channel below, is definitely a unique setting. (Note: More recent satellite view appears to show the pipe may be gone, replaced by a simple 'overflow channel' spilling down the canyon wall below the dam. Can anyone verify or refute this?) Action starts quickly with a blind zig-zag with mixed boulder-bed, wrapping waves, and a couple bedrock intrusions. The channel narrows and splits, with snags and bushwhacking ('kung-fu paddling') very likely to be encountered in the next quarter-to-half-mile. The pace quickly builds until you reach a wild sequence of falls.
There is no obvious indicator that one is approaching the first falls, just continous whitewater winding through the woods, so be on your toes. Some may choose to run, but (due to the gradient and the wood it has always contained in the most inopportune locations) most will likely portage about a half mile of river. (River left may be best for good view of the falls. While 'first timers' may wish to stay close to the river to view the action they are bypassing, the easiest portage is to climb well up the hill to a path leading to a dirt/sand road. Proceed downstream to another small path which leads back to the river below the falls. You miss the views, but you skip some bushwhacking and repeated up-and-down hill climbs.)
For those who choose to stay on (or close to) the river, there are several very runnable falls (for advanced paddlers, if wood does not preclude). The first set of falls begins with about a 10ft slide. About 50 yards downsteam starts a series of ledges that culminates in a 7-8ft ledge that is pure bliss to run. The ledge can be run nearly anywhere, but right-of-center offers the most height and fun.
Be very careful after this ledge because less than 20 yards downstream, around a small bend, is a 25ft class V+ drop. There
...River Features
Put In
Falls Sequence
(Precise location uncertain due to obscured satellite view.) At somewhere near a mile into the run (+/-) you encounter the serious gradient. At least parts of this are definite class V territory. Needless to say, time to get out and scout. We'll forego any description, since (at this level) it is up to you to assess what is there and whether you and your team are up to running part or all of this.
Description and photos are available at: Go Waterfalling.
Additional photos at: Waterfalls of the Keweenaw.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan this section at 130 cfs on 5/20/17 had a blast! It was a little bony in our alpackaraft (lightweight low draft inflatable kayak) don't know if u could do it in a kayak at this level the packrafts are Mich more forgiving when it comes to hitting rocks. Videos on youtube
This is the upper most drop to the Unnamed Falls section of the Upper Carp. It is basically a two step slide down the center and under the log in the foreground of the picture. The far right and left sides have a far amount of wood.
(With apologies for the graininess of the photo, due to it being a 'digital grab' from an analog video)
Shown here is the dam (on the left in the photo) and bypass pipe (from which the water torrents forth on the right in the photo) at the start of this run.
At this 'full pipe' level, the run can be a real handful.
Looking downstream from the put-in, the river starts off swiftly, taking a quick zig-zag (right, then left).