Root

The work on the Quarry Lake Park beach area (to totally remove cement walls and contour the area into an 'amphitheater', then repave the road down to the beach, add stairs and a handicapped access ramp) has been completed. The path to the fishing pier and our Upper Pipeline put-in has been rerouted (straightened) and paved. (A consequence of this was elimination the sand volleyball court.) Grass and trees have been planted on the slope to the quarry beach.

Water level in the quarry is still low, and may take some time to come back up to proper levels, so the beach may not be open come swimming season, but for now the park is open for fishing (and boating) access to the quarry and the river.

Reconstruction of the Northwestern Avenue (Hwy.38) bridge and the intersection at Rapids Drive is complete, with all lanes open to traffic. The new bridge is a single-span (no bridge piers in the river, so trees and branches will no longer hang up behind Malted Milk wave! YAY!)

When conditions are favorable for the 'full run', boaters are once again able to start up at the dam, and take-out in Quarry Park ... or to just park at the Quarry to either carry-up to Upper Pipeline or just carry down for PnP at The Evils.

Discussions about rebuilding the boat launch in Horlick Park (just upstream of the dam) and redoing the landscape in that park (once the dam is removed) have been held, and final plans are being drawn up. Bids for removing the dam should have been sought by now, but I have not yet seen anything confirming that. I will update this alert when there is actual progress to report.

As always, wood in the water (large branches and whole trees) is a problem. At present, there are no major snags blocking the main channel, but there are numerous trees/branches along shores, extending into eddies and flows. (These are described within the River Features for anyone wanting more details.)

Last year, WIDOT completed reconstruction of the north/outbound lanes of the HWY.38/Northwestern Avenue bridge over the Root River. As of April 2025, they have begun work on the south/inbound side of the bridge. There is one-lane of traffic in each direction on the new outbound bridge constructed last year. It should always be possible to get to and from the Quarry via the usual routes. However, there will be times when getting through the area of the bridge will have congestion/delays coming and going.

While there is active construction, boaters and fishermen will not be allowed in the river around and under the bridge (for safety reasons). This means no putting in at the dam to do the 'full run'. It will have no effect on doing the 'short run' within Quarry Park.

SEE ALSO: Information about pending dam removal in 'River Features' below.

At higher levels (likely somewhere above 2000 cfs) boaters should be aware that two bridges downstream in the golf course will be serious hazards. There will not be enough clearance under them for you to pass under, and (at higher flows) water will flow through the railings on them. (The FIRST bridge, visible downstream of 'The Evils' has the BEST clearance, the SECOND has the LEAST clearance, and the third bridge is of middling clearance.)
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ They are far enough downstream that experienced boaters (in control and in their boats) will be nowhere near them as they run and play the features on this reach. However, anyone needing to chase errant gear downriver (in the event of someone having a 'yard sale' swim), strong currents (along with steep banks and few eddies) may make it difficult to paddle out of danger around these two bridges!

The county repeatedly makes vain attempts to discourage walking upstream beyond the gate across the paved path between the quarry and the river. For a brief while (back in 2010/2011) there was an increase in enforcement of this area being 'off limits' with tickets and fines (I believe about $150). Some years later, they cut many sapling trees and shrubs and left them lay across the path to block passage. That merely resulted in people trodding a new path. While it is possible to make it all the way up to the bridge and the dam, the undergrowth can be a bit daunting. For those occasions when you wish to do the 'full run', you may want to consider *either* carrying out of the park entrance and up the sidewalk outside the park *or* doing a vehicle shuttle.

While non-motorized boats are allowed in the quarry, DO NOT take boats which have been in the river and then paddle in the quarry. The river (being connected with Lake Michigan) is 'affected water' for VHS (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia), while the quarry is NOT.
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Any boat used in the river needs to be thoroughly cleaned (rinsed in bleach! according to guidelines) before using it in the quarry.
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By the same token, boaters should not jump into or swim in the quarry after having been in the river without first taking a thorough shower with soap (available in the park pavillion when it is open). While odds are probably slim that the DNR personnel would be there to enforce this, you could be subject to a fine for either action (as I understand it).