There are sites in Wisconsin where power utilities are releasing water from their dams
specifically for recreational paddlers to use and enjoy. Whether this is by choice or by the
coercion of FERC licensing requirements, paddlers need to let the utilities know that we
appreciate the releases by showing up and paddling and communicating our appreciation.
Make sure you sign-in if you paddle a release on the Black River and talk to the folks at
WKCC to see how you can volunteer or otherwise contribute to keeping the course open
and the water flowing.

Black River Recreational Releases

In 2003, the release dates for the Black River are the third Saturday of the month, April through August.  The release is from the Hatfield dam on Lake Arbutus. Scheduled flows are: 2350 cfs in April, 1595 cfs in May, 895 cfs in June, 1070 cfs in July, and 835 cfs in August.   The put-in is off Clay School Road, and the normal take-out is at the powerhouse off Powerhouse Road.  The releases are ramped up to reach rated flow at noon.  Rated flow is maintained for three hours or until the level of Lake Arbutus drops by the maximum allowable amount (about six inches), whichever is less time. 

A release will be canceled if the flow into Lake Arbutus is below a specified level, which varies by month.  Call 888 HYDRO WI (888-493-7694) to get a recorded message giving the status of the release, and the current flows on the Black River below Lake Arbutus.  Note that the flow in the river is the total flow minus the flow going through the power plant.  The total flow and flow through the power plant are given on the recording.  The Black has good whitewater with flows between 700 and 3000 cfs in the river.

Please sign the attendance sheet at the put-in, so an accurate count of the number of paddlers is obtained. The releases could be canceled if paddlers don't participate.  2003 is the sixth year of recreational releases on the Black.  Some changes have been proposed, and are under consideration by FERC.  One proposal is to have releases in June through September instead of April through August.  The thought is that water for paddling is more plentiful in the spring, so releases are not needed.  Another part of the proposal would change the rules for canceling the releases to see that a release of at least some reduced amount is done unless we are in near drought conditions. 

Wausau Open Water Recreational Releases

2005 Open Water Schedule

June 12, July 10, August 7, August 14, September 4 
All events are from 10 AM to 4 PM

Hosted by Wausau Area Canoe and Kayak Organization
Schedule: Dates will be firm if enough volunteers sign up (Please
contact WACKO at wkcc@dwave.net if you are willing to volunteer
to coordinate the release - at least three volunteers are needed for the release.)

Equipment needed: Helmet, approved life jacket, throw rope
and boat flotation bags are required. All paddlers are to follow
the buddy system. Each paddler is responsible for their own safety.

Fees: $10.00 with current ACA Membership Card and $16.00 without.
All paddlers will be required to sign an ACA waiver form
and local waiver form before using the course.

Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation, 1202 Elm St. Wausau, WI (715)845-5664
E-mail: wkcc@dwave.net          visit their web site at: www.wausauwhitewater.org/

The "Spillway"

Rhinelander Whitewater Trail (Pelican Rapids) Whitewater Releases

RHINELANDER WHITEWATER TRAIL
2005 RWT RELEASE SCHEDULE

Note: Releases are water flow dependent, check for schedule updates.

Saturday, May 14
Recreational Release
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Contact: Scott Watson 715-282-5025 watsons@newnorth.net

Saturday, May 28
Pelican Rapids Slalom - Butter Cup Series (demo race)
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Contact: Ruth & Bill Jaeger 715-277-2493 rjaeger@bfm.org

Saturday, June 18
Recreational Release
11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Contact: Scott Watson 715-282-5025 watsons@newnorth.net

Saturday, July 2
Recreational Release
11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Contact: Ruth & Bill Jaeger 715-277-2493 rjaeger@bfm.org

Additional Recreational Releases
To be announced

Check Water Levels
Rainbow Reservoir Water Levels: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv?05391000
**Note - The Rainbow Reservoir flows need to be at least 500 cfs for a release.

Pelican Rapids is a normally dewatered reach of about 1/4 - 1/3 of a mile with
several low ledges that create waves and some nice play spots. At the 600 cfs release
level it is a somewhat pushy class II, though class III comfort level is recommended due
to the continous nature of the whitewater and vegetation in the river at points. (Since the
channel is normally dewatered, there are small trees growing off to the side of the main
channel in several places that will have flow through them.) The run feels steeper than it
actually is as there are few obstructions to hinder downstream flow.

The upper portion begins with a normally run narrow that will put you into the main
flow without having to mess with some inconvenient rocks in the main channel below the
dam. Once into the main channel, you will notice a decided downhill tilt to the river.

One of the more popular spots is at the second ledge. There is a decent eddy on the
left here. Shortly below this is some more benign play although there are not many
convenient eddies.

The ''big'' drop is located under and just past the second railway bridge. The main
flow comes down the right side and strikes a rock ledge just below the bridge, diverting
much of the flow to the left. The fun move here is to come down the right and grab the
eddy below the bridge pier then peel out into the flow on the left. The drop can also be
taken straight on by going left through some gaps in the vegetation perhaps 30 yards
upstream of the bridge. Below this point is one more ledge and then the bobble to the
take out.

Pelican Rapids could be likened to a pushier (relative to flow), more continous
Wausau but with smaller drops. Or, think of Boy Scout's (on the Wolf, S.3) at a similiar
flow (about 12''), subtract some eddies, add some push, add some play spots, and place
it in an industrial setting.

(From a description provided by Dag Grada)

Instream work is being done as part of a whitewater course improvements project throughout the summer. Eddies are being added and play areas being developed so features will change as the summer goes on.

For more information you can contact Scott Watson
watsons@newnorth.net

RHINELANDER WHITEWATER TRAIL - COURSE IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN

Northern Paddle & Trail (NP&T) and our volunteers are conducting a fund raising campaign with the goal to raise $20,000 dollars to do improvements on the Rhinelander Whitewater Trail.

We Need Your Help! This effort is as grass roots as it gets, but we need you to join us to make this special endeavor a success. Together we can reclaim this natural resource, in the headwaters of the Wisconsin River, and make an ever-lasting contribution to the paddle sport we love.  Our goals:

1)Move rocks and debris out of the main current to improve flow characteristics and safety,
2)Place large rocks to create better defined eddies, and
3)Build wing dams to improve surf waves and play holes.

Virtually everyone that visits the Rhinelander Whitewater Trail agrees there is an opportunity to make this reach of river into a first rate paddling resource. 

100% of your donation will go to the in-stream improvements.
$25 Friend, $50 Supporter, $100 Contributor, 250 Developer, 500 Patron, 1,000 Steward
Please make check payable to: NPT Whitewater, 6259 Black Lake Road, Rhinelander, WI, 54501.

For more information visit Northern Paddle & Trail web page http://www.northernpaddletrail.org/ or contact Scott Watson at watsons@newnorth.net. 

GUESTS OF RHINELANDER PAPER MILL:

We are guests of the Rhinelander Paper Mill; please be respectful to all employees and their operations.  Stay off all structures including railroad bridges and catwalks.  Do not enter any other areas of the mill. This is an operating mill and there will be large trucks driving through the mill.  Always stay to the side of the road and always yield to mill traffic.
CHANNEL DESCRIPTION:
All paddlers should be comfortable on fast whitewater with very few eddies.  Just like paddling any whitewater, paddlers are responsible for their own safety and should paddle only if they have the appropriate skill level, experience and equipment; such as full boat flotation, PFD, helmet, and throw rope.  Since this reach of river is normally dry, there are some flood hazards present such as sweepers, brush and debris.
PARKING:
Parking is available on the North side of Davenport Street in the M&I public parking lot.  Overflow parking is available just inside the Mill fence by the large gray building.  Please do not block any roadways.  Please do not park in any unauthorized areas. PUT-IN:
The put-in is on the east bank of the Mill property just below the dam.  You can drop boats off at this location but you can not park there!  Be careful getting down the bank, don't mess with the dam there is rebar in the plunge pool below the dam, be conservative launching, don't take any chances, and stay safe. TAKE OUT:
The takeout is on river left a little below the last drop.  If we are lucky there may be volunteers to help us shuttle back to the put-in.  If there are no shuttle volunteers available you can carry your boat up the portage trail through the Mill on the east side of the river. FACILITIES:
There are no rest room facilities so please plan accordingly.
There are no changing rooms available, please be conciderate of others as you are in a downtown area. CLEAN-UP & FISH RESCUE:
After the release paddlers are responsible to make sure there are no fish entrapped after the dam is closed.  So stick around and help with the fish rescue. Paddlers should check the area to make sure we have left nothing behind.  We are responsible for keeping this area clean during recreational releases. DONATIONS:
There is no fee for running the river during recreational releases.
Donations will be accepted.  100% of all donations will go to channel improvements.

Montreal River Dam Release Information

715-893-2213

last modified 20April05