Boardman
6 mi. S. of Traverse City (5.3 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 4.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 16 fpm |
| Gauge | Boardman River at Beitner Rd Nr Traverse City, Mi |
| Flow Rate as of 25 days | 1010 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 7, 2023 |
River Description
The old Keystone rapids are still there, but with much more fast water and new rapids beyond as a result of the dam removals over the past eight years. Boardman now flows all the way to Boardman Lake unobstructed with an approximate three miles of fast water with a couple more class I/II rapids.
Park and play is still available at Beitner park along with a new official take out at the former Cass road dam site.
Distances below are approximate, will update with more details and exact distances when possible.
Gauge location has been updated to the Beitner location reflecting a higher CFS average than the old Brown Bridge site. It's inadvisable to put in higher than Beitner at flows of over 550CFS due to bridge clearance issues.
River Features
Put in
Right off the public put there is a very small wave that can be surfed
rapid 1
Bony but surfable in spots. multiple routes through it. Decent eddy on bottom left
Stump Wave
The first play wave occurs right after you pass through the tubes under Beitner. Playable at low to medium water levels.
Fun fact: river left stern squirts above a strainer
Cass Rd access
Access point at the Cass road bridge. Cuts out the final rapid but avoids the extra flat water on the end.
Sabin Dam Rapid
Former Sabin dam site, two easy drop sections, fun - longish. Flat water from here on out to the old YMCA.
River left access point/takeout - park up the hill at the GT Natural Education Center.
Old YMCA Take out
Just past the tennis court is the new take out. Early and late season will need to use the take out right before the tennis court.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportFoot Bridge Take-Out
Not sure what this section looks like after the Brown Bridge Dam breach back in Oct. I was there about an hour after it happened at my brothers, who lives 5min by foot from the dam. It emptied the very large impoundment in 6 hrs. If anyone has paddled after this please post some comments.
There is a bridge at the put in of the boardman river you can launch off of going down stream.
Check out the full-sized version of this photo by clicking here.
My buddy Mike, ripping it up.
Who says Lower Michigan doesn't have any playspots?
Cass takeout
New river from removed dam
Boardman is a great entry level whitewater SUP river.