Black (Mississippi Trib.)

D) Neillsville to Lake Arbutus (12.5 miles)

Reach banner
DifficultyI-III
Length12.2 mi
Avg Gradient8 fpm
GaugeBlack River at Neillsville, Wi
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
202 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedMarch 21, 2019

River Description

Boulder gardens and a couple ledges make a fun run at high water. Mostly, action is pretty sparse until the river takes a big bend near Hwy.73 (where Jack Creek / Cunningham Creek meets this reach). At this point a significant ledge can provide some play. A fine dells/rapids (rocky walls) finishes the reach just below Hwy 95.

(Note: Observations and 'minimums' based on only one run at 1290cfs.)


River Features

Ledge Drop

Distance: 0 mi
Ledge Drop

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 12.5 mi
Take Out

DV
Dan Varick

Apr 7, 2020


Paddled this section on 4/2/20 @ ~3000 cfs in a tandem canoe. Fun scenic section with most of the actual ww in the middle of the reach. Both the beginning and end of the reach were mostly just moving water at this level. Note the TO has posted no trespassing on RL. We TO at hwy 95 above the last rapid.

DH
dan hiller

Jun 10, 2010


I run an abbreviation of this reach anytime it's over 250 cfs. 250 is minimum and a couple spots can be tricky/frustrating but definitely runnable. Between 750 and 1200 seems best with lots of 'textbook' features developing. 1250 is mostly washout haystacks. I have never run it above 1250 nor beyond hwy 95.