Bear

September 8, 2010 - Ran this reach several times over the Labor day weekend at flows appox. 250cfs.

City of Petoskey has invested a good deal of money into Park along side the river and into rechanneling the lower section as well. Beginning with the foot bridge at Bear River Park the channel has been significantly improved. Below the foot bridge the rive has been rechanneled with larger boulders and rocks to create more signifcant wave trains. The dams and rebar have been removed creating a nice series of drops with smalls pools. The holes were easily punched and the waves were surf worthy at this level. Below the Chunnel the reworking continues with more ledges and a defined channels. The numerous waves and new eddies have created some very nice surfing waves.

In the old slack water section beneath the 131 bridge two new features have been added. These ledges have created two very nice small surf waves with large eddies.

The lower section frm the Lamprey Dam to the marina has not been altered.

The Bear River park is getting some very nice improvements - bathrooms, picnic pavillions, concrete bike path, new foot bridge, new access points, catwlks, and an overlook.