Eau Claire (Chippewa trib.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gemQcb6P9A0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzTofWNBKJg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrBWebmd6eE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9k16PPi4K8

Ran at 5.35ft on the NOAA gauge, 4.9 by visual on the Hwy K bridge. Left side was class IV and the right side was III/III+. Worth it.
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Ran at 2.12ft/471cfs on the NOAA gauge, ~1 by visual on hwy k bridge. Both sides were runnable. On the right side there was a far left 'creeky' line that was clean and fun to run. A pillow formed on a guard rock which helped. The more traditional line in the upper portion, down the right side was getting bony (rock slides) at this level.

Left side was runnable with a big boat and a solid boof. Right side was good with the right line and a few key braces. There was an OK line on the left down the right side, but the huge wave at the middle made it a little less enticing. Gauge was visually seen as 4.9ft at the hwy K bridge, but NOAA said 5.35ft.

There is a 3$ fee for access to the falls via the county park. And if it is a nice day, you will have a few observers. I use the south side entrance as it is closer to the falls. You can also ferry across to the right side which has a little more of a technical carry up.

I made a trip up to big falls recently but the water level was very low. Both the left and right side were unrunnable. There is now a large log in the center of the falls on the river left side making it unrunnable. Great little class II-III run if the water is up.

Big falls is nice companion for running jim falls just 25mins up the road.

First time running it but it seemed low. River right was a lot of bumpin and scrapin. Fun run though.

NOAA still operates the gauge (Eau Claire R near Fall Creek), and USGS still records peak streamflow at this site. The gauge seems to be at Co Hwy K just upstream of Big Falls.

The river right side was bumpy but runnable. There is a rock under the falls that bounces you away from the base, just have to hit it straight on at this level.

This is the route on the opposite side of the island
from Big Falls.

This is the river left side of the island. River right is a series of steps and slides, and provides play opportunities.