Little Wolf

note the kiddie potty in the boat...november and 60F is a great thing. really only 1 rapid is too low to paddle.

Ran at 120 cfs with the optimator, 16ft coleman. Really only one rapid that is a problem. lots of bump and thump but overall pretty read and run. The rapid that starts with a house on the left and and right turn.. the house had a play set when we ran it...is the one that forces you right and then goes shallow with lots of riocks and basically pins the 16 ft canoe.

Ran this at 97cfs per virtual gauge, the visual gauge at J is gone now. I canoed it with my 2 kids in a 16ft coleman (forgot the camera). Passed about 12 kayakers who seemed to be having a good 4th of July paddle and I had nor major troubles navigating the rapids at this level with my big boat. The gradient is pretty continuous in the middle and gave me a good workout finding lines and maneuvering the 'Optimator' solo. I do float a little higher with the canoe, but paths through the class II drops were clear. A few of the rock jumble slides were bumpy and didn't have easy lines for me to hit, but only got hung up 2 times. The key to this river is picking solid lines, otherwise you are bump and thump, even at good flows as I recall. The dells section had some tight turns for the 16ft beast, but we managed. All of the snags were cut out from the the wolf river bridge to the pond. Not really any paths in the woods to scout the dells, but their were eddies that allowed for checking for snags. Just be warned that there is a fair amount of flat water at the start and after hwy J. The dells at a good level is worth it though, just point and go over the wave train.
I also ran this section at 2.66' in 2009 that I will post some pictures from. My notes say 'The dells were wavey, nice easy run with lots of flatwater, 36' @ J'. Also ran this at 46' @ J and said it was a 'good ride'. Sorry for the lack of discription, I didn't even know about AW on those trips.

A small hydroplant diverts flow from the rocky pitch at Big Falls.

Looking upriver from near the bottom of Big Falls.

Looking downriver from near the top of Big Falls.

Main part of big falls at lower levels. You can call Dave Merkes of Big Falls Hydro for a level. 920-209-4999
This is at ---.43 ft. It was 9 hundred and something but the important part is the .43 ft.

Middle of big falls

Middle part at ---.43 ft.

Big Falls is dependent on the level of the lake above the dam. I ran into the dam operator, Dave Merkes, a real paddle friendly guy. He said feel free to call about the level and if the falls are runnable. (715) 754-2031

my notes say 'nice easy run'