Rock, Wisconsin, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | III (varies with level) |
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| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROCK RIVER AT INDIANFORD, WI | ||||
| usgs-05427570 | 2400 - 5600 cfs | I | 01h07m | ~ 1510 cfs (rc= -0.4 ) |
Too low; likely no play available. Gauging at this site is a bit complex, dependent upon not only the river flow, but upon how many gates (and which gates) are open on the dam. |
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At Indianford, in general you don't want to mess with the main width of the dam. Across that
whole width, there is large rock rubble (in the landing zone and outflow) which is used to
reduce/eliminate hydraulic scouring of the riverbed. However, the left-most part of the dam has
releasable gates. Depending upon flow, and which gates on the dam are open, there can be
a sweet wave where the outflow from those gates hits the pool below.
Gauging can be a bit funky, since the nature of this wave will depend upon how many (and possibly
which specific) gates are open, and also upon the downstream river level. Which is to say, a
certain reported flow (or flow range) one time may be producing a wonderful fast playable wave,
and at some other time the same reported flows may not produce anything remotely worthwhile!
If you are 'skunked' here, you may wish to check out the area downstream of the lower
dam in Janesville, which (reportedly) can offer some tame whitewater/swiftwater practice and play
(see 'Rapids' tab and additional photos on Photo tab). Also, when at Indianford, you are not far
from the Yahara River and the Badfish River, either of which can offer a nice float trip with
some (admittedly generally quite minor) play possibilities.
If neither of those work out for you, you may wish to check out the dam described in the listing
at Rockton, IL.
Gauging at this site is a bit complex, dependent upon not only the river flow, but upon how many gates (and which gates) are open on the dam. Which is to say, a certain reported flow (or flow range) one time may be producing a wonderful fast playable wave, and at some other time the same reported flows may not produce anything remotely worthwhile! This is likely to make driving any distance to get to this spot unlikely, knowing there's a good chance of 'getting skunked' even when the gauge (and color-coding here) show the river is at a (theoretically) good flow.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROCK RIVER AT INDIANFORD, WI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-05427570 | 2400 - 5600 cfs | I | 01h07m | ~ 1510 cfs (rc= -0.4 ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Too low; likely no play available. |
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Gauging at this site is a bit complex, dependent upon not only the river flow, but upon how many gates (and which gates) are open on the dam. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1y264d04h35m | @Rock Indianford Dam (PnP) [WI] |
Scouting Report
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3440 cfs | Rob Smage |
No Comments
Users can submit comments.| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Indianford dam | III |   |
| 10.0 | Janesville, upper dam | N/A |    |
| 11.0 | Janesville, lower dam | N/A | |
| 11.1 | Janesville, lower dam bypass | N/A | |
| 27.5 | Rockton Dam | N/A | |
Indianford GatesIn general, you don't want to mess with the main width of the dam. Across that whole width, there is large rock rubble (in the landing zone and outflow) which is used to reduce/eliminate hydraulic scouring of the riverbed. However, the left-most part of the dam has releasable gates. Depending upon flow, and which gates on the dam are open, there can be a sweet wave where the outflow from those gates hits the pool below.
Gauging can be a bit funky, since the nature of this wave will depend upon how many (and possibly which specific) gates are open, and also upon the downstream river level.
(Reported flow was 3440 cfs when photo was taken, and it did not look at all friendly or surfable.)
Janesville Dam (Upper)The first dam in Janesville has a hydro plant on river-right (to the left of the photo). The main dam slopes off steep and slams hard into a line of rocks at the base (to disperse the force of the water and reduce hydraulic scouring of the river bed). Between the main dam and the walls of the power-plant, there are releasable gates which allow 'excess' water to pour through. This tongue of water creates a huge surging hole in the river/pool bleow. At the flow in the photo (3440 cfs on gauge), play would be impossible. It is conceivable that there could be some flow at which a potentially playable wave could occur. There is a portage path for canoes to get around the dam and back into the river downstream, so there is convenient access. So . . . has anyone ever looked at this, or put-in and found it playable?
(Listed distance is road miles from Indianford, not river miles.)
Janesville Dam (Lower)The second ('lower') dam in Janesville lies immediately under Hwy.51/Center Avenue. This is in a city park, just downstream of a huge rock outcropping with a historical plaque, marking it as the site of the spot where settlers crossed the river, and where the first settler's cabin was built. This rock (significant to the Native American Tribes and settlers alike) apparently is what the county is named after.
The dam is a split-wing affair, the river-left half (to the right in the photo frame) lies perpendicular to the flow (parallel to and under the highway bridge), white the river-right half (to the left in the photo frame) takes a steep angle diagonally downstream. Flow over both 'wings' angles off then plunges into the river below, forming (at almost all flows) a nasty hydraulic. The best advice would be to stay well clear of this area! Do not attempt a run of this dam!
(Listed distance is road miles from Indianford, not river miles.)
Janesville Dam (Lower)The lower dam in Janesville diverts a certain amount of the flow into a fairly large pond on river right. A couple of releasable gates allow that water to spill back into the main river channel, where it splashes across large rock (to reduce scouring of the riverbed). I have heard second-hand reports of some boaters (at some flows) finding minor entertainment in this area, mostly (I believe) just ferrying in the currents, and perhaps finding some spots deep enough and with current differential to allow stalls and squirts. Due to all the rock rubble in the immediate outflow, I do not believe any playable wave generally forms, or that play in any wave which may appear at some flows would be advised, due to all the submerged rock. We would love to get more information on this locaiton (from anyone who has found worthwhile whitewater boating here).
(Listed distance is road miles from Indianford, not river miles.)
A WIDE dam in Rockton dam diverts most of the flow into a canal (to river left). It would take significant (higher than normal late-spring/summer flow) to have enough water passing over the dam to make it anything other than a scrape down the sloping face. It would take a significant amount of scouting, at a wide variety of flows, to find meaningful play here. At the right flows, it is entirely likely there may be a few spots which could offer some play, but there will also be numerous spots which would be just plain nasty (keepy). We would urge great caution for anyone opting to play at this dam on the Rock River at Rockton.
(Listed distance is road miles from Indianford, not river miles.)
See separate listing for this location.
reach
state
reachlink
Indianford / Janesville Dams (PnP), Rock Wisconsin, US (mobile)
