Ontonagon, M.Br.
C) below Agate Falls (Hwy.28) to Hwy.45 (28.7 miles)
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 25.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 14 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 4, 2015 |
River Description
This is a long (25 miles!) reach, with NO bridges (road crossings) between put-in and take-out. (Therefore no convenient way of shortening the run. There are a few roads or logging trails which come close, but none which cross the river.) This (of course) limits the number of paddlers who will tackle this stretch. The main feature (beyond looking at Agate Falls before you put in below it) would appear to be 'Three Rapids Falls', somewhat after the midpoint of the reach. However, aerial views show very little at that location!
Put-in: Park at a wayside on Hwy.28. ***Do NOT put in at the wayside.*** Carry downstream to put-in below Agate Falls. This scenic, steep, stepped falls lands almost uniformly hard (on bedrock). Furthermore, the riverbed increasingly slopes and accelerates the water inexorably toward the lip of the falls. There would be precious little chance for a boater to avoid being swept over the falls (if in the river above it) at any reasonable boatable flow.
Take-out: Hwy.45 at 'Military Bridge'.
River Features
Agate Falls
Virtually all sane boaters will put in BELOW this falls. The lead-in slopes increasingly downhill, and the landing is quite uniformly shallow (on bedrock), making this a pretty falls to look at, but an ugly one to think about running.
Put In
Possible access/egress?
There is a significant break in the trees, signaling a 'lane' for a gas pipeline, and a private property not far off, river-left. It MAY be possible to use this for access/egress, if permission is obtained.
Powerline Clearing
A half-mile walk to the west/left would get you to the end of One-mile Road.
Take Out
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