Escanaba
C) Boney Falls Dam to CR420 (2 to 17.5 miles)
| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 17.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | Escanaba River at Cornell, Mi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1130 cfsIIlow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 8, 2025 |
River Description
The run is mostly flat and swift-water. The riverbed is generally open (unobstructed channel), though waves may build at higher levels.
It appears (from Satellite photos on Google) the run may start with about 1.5 miles of good gradient (though little apparent features) before things peter out for a while.
Approximately four miles into the run, a set of irregular sloping ledges is encountered. These ledges are stretched over about a mile or two of river, which may be accessible by nearby road.
(We do not have specific information regarding viability of access at top and bottom of this stretch.) Some boaters may wish to check this out for possible 'park-and-play', or for a short trip from the listed put-in.
Additional features appear downstream, though far more spread out. The final stretch (may 2 miles or so) is on backwaters from the dam at Chandler Falls, just downstream of our listed take-out.
The resolution on Google Maps for this area is excellent. Go to the 'Map' tab, click top right to switch from 'Topo' to 'Satellite' view, then zoom in to do a 'virtual flyover' of this reach!
The following video (via YouTube, from a TV show) features a commercial rafting outfitter running this section of river. We have set start-time to skip intro/set-up footage. You can view the full show by dragging the YouTube 'slider' to the beginning (or any point) of the show.) 906 Outdoors Video
River Features
Put In
Robin G Road
(Mile marker / waypoint)
Just upstream of arrival at Robin G Road, a couple side creeks enter at river-left. The first spills down 'Rose Falls' as it drops into the Escanaba.
Begin ledge sequence
After nearly 2 miles of flatwater, a-mile-and-a-half of river starting here contains a few (widely spaced) ledges. Boaters may wish to check them out for possible park-and-play action or for a short run.
Hunters Brook Falls
Hunters Brook enters on river-right. Just upstream it pours over a fine little falls. We have no specific knowledge as to whether conditions favor running this drop (I.E., how tall it actually is, and whether there is a decent approach and depth of pool below). There is a private residence on the 'upstream' side (I.E., would be river-left when running Hunters Brook), so we would advise scouting from downstream (river-right of Hunters Brook). Best action is likely all within 0.1 mile upstream (to about the driveway/bridge for the aforementioned residence).
Anyone care to 'Add a Comment' to inform us whether this merits a carry-up?
Final ledge in sequence
The final (small) ledge in the sequence of ledges.
Take Out
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