Root
A) Five Mile Road to Horlick Dam Pond (7.72 miles)
| Difficulty | I |
| Length | 7.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 4 fpm |
| Gauge | Root River at W. Eight Mile Rd Near Caledonia, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 57 minutes | 67 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 24, 2025 |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: about 8 miles northwest of downtown Racine, WI.
Shuttle Length: 5.4 miles
Character: Flatwater/swiftwater float with a few shoals. At moderate flows some fine 'splishy splash' waves develop.
Put-in is approximately 650' elevation. Take-out is approximately 620' elevation. Thus total elevation change is approximately 30' (Gradient: 5.6 feet per mile.).
General Overview
A very pleasant paddle/float trip may be had on the 'upper' Root River. There are no real rapids, but there are a few areas of shoals which may create some riffles and waves at moderate flows. The whole reach may be boated virtually any time (other than winter, of course), if one is willing to get out and drag across these shoals (during low flows), since they interrupt otherwise deeper pools of water. Shoals are most prevalent about 0.75-1.0 mile into the run (in the area of the Johnson Park Dog Run), and again at about 3.1-3.3 miles (a bit downstream of leaving Johnson Park Golf Course).
High water actually diminishes the minimal whitewater here, as the low gradient is essentially swallowed up. There are no major permanent obstructions (rocks, narrows, or complex rapids), so only minimal technical maneuvering skills are required. The exception would be random deadfall and snags, which may be present. High-water runs (levels of 600-800 cfs and higher) should be done only by well-experienced skilled boaters fully aware of the force of swiftwater and the increased danger it presents.
Early season boaters should also be aware of water temperatures and should be prepared to deal with the concerns of cold-water immersion. (Wetsuits or drysuits should be worn anytime water temperature is less than 50F. Hint: if nighttime temperatures are averaging under 50F, it a pretty fair bet water temperature will be under 5
...River Features
Put In
From roadside parking at Linwood Park (on Five Mile Road, just east of Hwy.38), carry to the river.
For a handful of years, there had been a small 'improved landing' about 100' upstream from Fivemile Road. However, high water events across the years have eroded the riverbank and all but obliterated the launch/landing spot. As a result, nearly all of the shore here has a foot or two of vertical drop to the water. Boaters with sprayskirts may be able to 'seal launch' from the grass.
Otherwise, the best suggestion is to carry across the road to the downstream side of the bridge, where there is more natural sloping mud and grass shore to launch from.
Dog Park Riffs
As the river reaches the Johnson Dog Walk Park, it bends left (east) and then right (south and west). Through this whole area, current increases, and a fine series of swifts, riffles, and rips exist at moderate flows. At lower flows, expect to grunge out on shoals.
Proceed with caution at high flows, since you will have less time to avoid any snags that might lie in wait around these bends! (Paddle hard away from downed trees, as you are likely to be pressed into them and flipped.)
Second area of riffs
Shallow rocky shoals in this area may create some fine splishy-splash waves (at moderate flows). At high flows, it'll likely just be swiftwater (not really any rapids), and at low water this is likely to be an area where you either do your best to try to find the deepest water, or be prepared to drag your boat across the shallows.
Hwy.31 (Ole Davidson Road)
While there is no 'official' designation as a landing, it may be possible to use this location as an access point. There is a small paved area (for utility company access) which is not posted against parking (when I checked, anyway).
Riverbanks may be muddy and you may have to bushwhack through tall grass.
Armstrong Park (PRIVATE!)
NO PUBLIC LANDING.
S.C.Johnson company maintains a beautiful riverside facility for its employees. The grounds contain various pavilions and features. Unfortunately, the park is NOT open to the public.
River Bend Landing
River Bend Nature Center (formerly affiliated with Racine YWCA, now a county park run by a dedicated non-profit staff) has a canoe landing. The park is open to the public during daylight hours (though building hours vary).
A number of trails are maintained on the property. If you want to 'stretch your legs' a bit, take a walk around, but please be respectful of the property.
We do not generally recommend this as a take-out (unless you are using their boats, kept locked in racks right near the river) since it is about 0.3 mile carry to the parking area, and our listed take-out is far shorter carry to your vehicle(s).
This may change in the future, since the county board unanimously approved removal of Horlick Dam. Bidding for that project has not yet been done. Once the dam is removed, and we see what has been submerged under the millpond, it may be recommended to take out here. Stay tuned for updates!
Take Out: Horlick Park
Parking is available near a boat ramp and small dock with signage proclaiming 'Hand launch only' 'No trailers'.
Be aware that they lock the gate during winter and do not plow the roadway in the park. As a result, this take-out is not available in early spring. Also, while the dam is in place, in early spring, ice stays in place on the millpond longer than in free-flowing parts of the river.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report6/5/2017
Paddled from county line rd. to Horlick dam, 4-5 portages easy out an in ( watch out for poison ivy) between CL and six mile, all in water after, a tree down after Johnson park bridge #2 is a bit tricky to navigate but passable. After HW 31 bridge there is a newly down tree(still green with leaves) pushes you to river right but lots of erosion from floods in the spring and I expect more large trees will be down soon possibly causing Blockages. Few spots where I bottomed out (USGS Franklin was reporting gauge height 2.5 - 3 ft ), but were all passable no damage.