Ontonagon, W.Br.
A) Norwich Rd to Victoria Falls Dam (13.4 miles)
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 13.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | West Branch Ontonagon River Near Bergland, Mi |
| Flow Rate as of 38 minutes | 94 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 23, 2011 |
River Description
We have very little information on the whitewater available on this run. Satellite map views are quite good, so you may wish to go to the 'Maps' tab, click for the satellite view, zoom in to nearly maximum resolution and do a 'digital walk' down the river.
The final two miles of the run will be a paddle out on Victoria Falls reservoir.
River Features
Put In
Sandstone Falls
About 1.8 miles downstream of the confluence of the South Branch and the West Branch of the Ontonagon, a small creek enters from the right (south). (It should be readily identified, as it comes in at the southernmost point in an oxbow where the river heads south, then turns abruptly back north.) Maps conflict about the name (either Topp Creek or Johnson Creek). In any event, the topo maps show (about a quarter mile up this stream) a 'Sandstone Falls'. It may be worth a little side hike to check it out.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportLooks like an interesting class II run. From the first road downstream of Lake Gogebic dam to Norwich Road is around 16.8 miles and drops an average of 14 fpm. That section isn't listed here but looks to be the peppier half. From Norwich Road to the upstream end of the lake is 11.6 miles and drops 12 fpm on average. Those numbers aren't too different than what is listed here but they are slightly higher. The 10 fpm listed here is what you'd get if you include the flat mile across the flowage, which doesn't accurately represent the river section. All in total it would be a fun 31 miles at higher flows.