Peshtigo
C) Benson Lake Rd to Goodman Park (2.7 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II+(IV) |
| Length | 2.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 21 fpm |
| Gauge | Peshtigo Approximation at Benson Lake Road |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 228 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 24, 2009 |
River Description
Much of this reach is paralleled closely by Benson Lake Rd and the put-in is roadside. Headed east on Benson Lake from Goodman Park Rd (Marinette), it's about two to three miles to the best options for a put-in. The run can be lengthened by an additional 3.4 miles if you start at Goodman Park Rd (Forest) but the additional distance is all flatwater.
Please note that there are two different Goodman Park roads, thus the county name in parentheses. When Benson Lake Rd crosses into Forest County, it becomes Goodman Park Rd (running E-W). Goodman Park Rd in Marinette County is a N-S road.
River Features
Rapids (marked on topos)
This rapids lies just upstream of the listed put-in for this reach, but well downstream of the take-out of the prior listed reach. Since it is such a minor rapids (easy boulder garden rapids), and nothing else is gained but flatwater mileage, we recommend using the listed take-out for the prior reach, and the listed put-in for this reach.
Take Out
Put In
Taylor Rapids
Taylor Raids is a short, relatively easy ledge/drop, made perhaps a bit more complex by the fact that the river twists right coming into it, then left dropping across it, and into a pool below.
Rapids (marked on topos)
A boulder-garden rapids is encountered where the river splits around an island.
Strong Falls
As you get to Goodman Park, a footbridge spans the river, crossing to small islands in the braided right channels of the river. A short slide lies immediately under the bridge. A decent pool follows before the main drop, Strong Falls. While it has been run, most boaters of this reach will be content (and well advised) to take out above this falls. The falls is multiple pitches, with much shallow rock, creating a chaos in the flows. A short pool leads to an easy slide into a sweet little wave. Beginners may use this area (below Strong Falls) as a practice area, to work the currents, doing ferries, eddy turns, peel-outs, and so forth. This also makes a handy location to do 'rescue practice -- taking turns swimming the little rapids, and having someone on shore toss a throw-rope to 'pendulum' the swimmer to shore.
Enjoy the following video from 2013, provided by Bryan Foster (via YouTube) at 6.13 ft on the gauge:
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI guess I never put up this video of strong falls from 2013. 6.13ft on the gauge...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RORpqxEUHyU
Strong Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Goodman Park.
After seeing that Mark survived Helge decided to run it too! :-)
Pretty much describes itself from the picture.