Wisconsin

A short deck extends from shore upon which boaters can mount up and drop into the pool above the dam. A short bit of shoreline alongside may also be used by boaters timid about launching from the deck.

For confident padlers, the run begins in the 'pool' above the dam, where folks often practice their braces, their rolls, and various flatwater tricks.

Heading to the dam (which lies directly beneath the elevated bridge of Scott Street), a 'scissors gate' creates a smooth sliding drop (of ~5') into a chaotic jumble of waves. Strong current heads toward a vertical wall on river-left, so it is best to either run river-right, or with a strong left-to-right angle.

The first feature is a wave/hole which generally does not get much attention/play.

NOTE: While this lies upstream of the access point used by those not wishing to run the dam/gate, it is easy to paddle upstream from that put-in to play this spot before heading downriver.

As is the case with the majority of features on this course, trucked-in granite boulders have been emplaced to create a pourover/hole. Decent eddies exist to each shore. Immediately after this drop, the channel takes a bend to the left, meaning current heads toward (and is deflected by) the river-right shoreline. Boaters coming off/out-of the feature in control should have no problem breaking out into an eddy (river-left or river-right) for repeat play. Those failing a roll attempt or two will most likely be flushed past a minor wave/drop downstream and will be unable to regain this feature.

Immediately coming out from under the Washington Street Bridge, another line of rocks trips the flow into a fine retentive wave/hole. Again, good eddies (right and left) allow repeat play. Spectators can easily gather along the river-left fence or the sidewalk on the bridge to catch an overhead view of those plying the waters here.

While it may not look all that gnarly, this is probably the meanest feature on the course. It is usually run at river-right, where there is no backroller (wave/hole). The entire left (maybe 2/3rds or 3/4ths) of the channel drops into a 'crease' which is very prone to catching and holding boats. Even folks in whitewater canoes (with full floatation) have had trouble escaping the grip of this hole! (Want to practice hole-escape techniques? This could be a 'safe'/controlled place to do that, with plenty of folks around to watch and set rescue! However, be aware its a good place for windowshading and getting your bell rung.)

This bedrock slide is the biggest natural drop on the run (the steepest big drop being the dam/gate). Re-engineering (2021/2022) has narrowed the flow between short vertical cement walls (rather than the large granite boulders which previously funneled the flow). This feature is now alterable to be either a fast wave-with-pile or more of a retentive hole. The outflow current still rips very strong thru the pool below. Good eddies exist to both left and right, but you have to charge hard to break out of the current or it will take you quickly over the next boulder-choke/drop.

Many years back this was the primary hole for competitions. With this modification, boaters again are likely to queue up to play this feature.

Interestingly, the final drops of the course are somewhat unimaginatively named by numbering them from downriver-to-upriver! Thus, boaters encounter them in 'countdown' fashion: #4, #3, #2, #1.

Beginners and less aggressive paddlers may forego the upper part of the course and just play these final four features, which are all more 'beginner friendly', while still allowing experienced boaters a good variety of playboating maneuvers. Surfs, spins, and elevated moves (enders, cartwheels, etc) are possible in these final wave/holes.  Number 4 is the competition hole with all hole tricks possible as well as combinations.  It favors the right but lefty moves can be accomplished in the center. Either eddy is easy to get to but the right is easier to catch and has a more relaxed pool to wait in.  Sometimes gets busy during releases but hit it early or late in the day for shortest lines.

This feature is small but great for front surfs, spins and loops with good technique. Deep pool for recovery and rolls.

Used for both surfing and spins with a safe pool to catch the eddies either left or right.

A narrow graveled beach area at river-left allows easy egress to carry upstream to do it all again ... or to carry to the grassy area where camping is allowed on dates when the course is in operation.