Amnicon
Sam Anderson Road to CTH.U (0.33-6 miles)(Amnicon Falls)
| Difficulty | II-IV+ |
| Length | 5.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 52 fpm |
| Gauge | Amnicon (approximation) |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 65 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 7, 2020 |
River Description
Approximate Mile-by-mile gradient: 33, 27, 50, 144, 38, 31 Approx.Ave.Gradient: 52 FPM, Approx.Max.Gradient: 140 FPM
The Amnicon is a beautiful stretch of river with features which will be interesting to intermediate as well as the advanced paddlers. We'll note up front that the flow ranges are likely quite different for the full run we list versus optimum flows for the sequence of falls within the state park. Moreover, those who are 'vertically addicted' may just do a park-and-huck of the sequence in Amnicon Falls State Park.
Put-in is possible from the Hwy 53 bridge, though (as listed here) we prefer a less-busy access ~1.7 miles upstream, at the start of the gradient. The early portions of the run will consist of class II-ish rockbed rapids with one larger drop (class III) about midway between Hwy.53 and Hwy.2. The pace picks up below the Hwy 2 bridge as the river enters Amnicon Falls State Park. Intermediate paddlers and those unfamiliar with the reach should get out to scout upon reaching the road bridge in the park. There are several hundred yards of class III-III+ before the falls sequence proper. A mistake here could quickly turn epic (not to mention dangerous).
A footbridge and split channel mark the beginning of the falls sequence. Take-out above the footbridge to scout. The right channel carries the most water and is most commonly run. Below the bridge a steep drop of ~15' may generate an aggressive hydraulic at its base. A short distance downstream, the river twists and drops off a second falls of about 15'.
Note: there are splines of rock in the pool below, running parallel to the face of the drop and fairly close in. (These were no doubt formed as the falls, over time, has receded upstream, apparently in uneven 'chucks'. The resultant bottom contour is like the corrugated layer of a corrugated cardboard box.) These shallow splines generally preclude runs of this drop at low-to-moderate flows. You must be jus
...River Features
Put In
possible alternate access
Uncertain about legality (property ownership), but aerial (satellite) view shows a road stub and no buildings at this site. A clearing appears to lead to good river access, as an alternative to the listed put-in.
Rapids
The most significant rapids of the 'upper stretch' (before the falls sequence in the state park) comes just after a sharp left-hand bend in the river.
Upper Falls
Lower Falls
Snake Pit Falls
With adequate flows, the river-left channel becomes runnable and offers a very interesting drop sequence.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportSpring run down First Falls at Amnicon State Park 4/6/13. Lower Falls and Snake Pit were not runnable due to ice.
Used to hike here all the time while in college in Superior. Great river with some big drops. I recall the first waterfall to have rock in the base but with high flow it could be o.k. the other one is a slide and it was very clean. I have heard that there are more big drops upstream (south) of the park.
This used to be one of my favorite spring runs. I dont know the date when the park opens but many times the river is at peak flow when there is still snow on the ground. This is the ideal situation for this run, no rangers to fuss with & if you go when raining no public either. At these elivated flows the 'normal line' becomes incridibly scary however the snake pit really goes off. If you live near by this little section is sweet!
Many years back (long before being a boater), I swam in the pool at the base of the larger falls in the park. As briefly mentioned in the text above, my recollection is that the pool actually contains multiple 'splines' of rock parallel to the face of the falls (perpendicular to the flow of the river). Walking/swimming toward the falls from below, one goes from knee-deep to over-your-head to knee-deep to over-your-head almost literally from one 'step' forward to the next. (Essentially a rather exaggerated, 'corrugated' bottom.) Thus, depending on where one lands (and how deep they go), there is potential for great pain here.
I talked to the rangers at Amnicon Falls this summer about the run. They said they didn't want people putting in from the Park, but you could start further up. According to the ranger I talked to, everything below the high water mark is public, so it would be possible to scout the drops - some of which looked quite nice. However, they were understandably concerned with liability and the possibility that this would encourage unskilled spectator-type people to attempt this run, as it is a popular park. While that ranger did not say it was forbidden or illegal, I think it would be a good idea to discuss your plans with them beforehand.