Michigamme
C) Witbeck Rapids (3.78 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 3.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 12 fpm |
| Gauge | Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton, Mi |
| Flow Rate as of 22 minutes | 128 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2019 |
River Description
Jason Cowell provides:
The run consists of about 1 mile of decent (class 2) big-water rapids in the spring . It is a very easy stretch of boulder-bed rapids, and is a popular spring/summer canoe run. There is a set of waves at the end of the run that are a larger version of those found on other local rivers such as the Peshekee and the Paint.
River Features
Put In
Rapids begin
You'll pass houses (on river-left) at about 0.1 and 0.2 miles into the run, and the rapids will begin very soon after, and scarcely let up until a full mile later!
Second Wind
After a brief let-up (from the first mile-long rapids), lighter rapids pick up again for nearly 3/4-mile, at which point you will have about 1.5 miles of flat/flowing water to the take-out.
Take-out
Interesting! If you zoom-in to full resolution on 'Satellite' view, you will see a vehicle and two canoes at the take-out! (At least, as of present satellite images, Spring, 2015.)
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe paddled from the Whitbeck Rapids put in to the Chain of Lakes Rd. but could not find anyone at the adjacent camp to talk about parking permission. It would be good karma for the UP paddlers to post a contact for parking at the above take out. The take out is an eroded, steep sand back that could benefit from a little rip rap which might be a good trade for access.
We ran it as part of an ACA L2 River Canoe Skills Assessment on 8/22/13. It was roughly 475 cfs, pretty boney but also a great place to take new river canoeists to practice. We found everything we needed for teaching which was fortunate, especially in August. Would definitely use this venue again!
L2 ACA River Canoe Skills Assessment
ACA Level 2 Skills Assessment