Put-in is from the end of Farmdam Lane, and is actually on a tributary (Otter Creek) just before its confluence with the Peshtigo. (While driving to here, make sure to take the left fork and drive to the end of the lane. Do not stop or put in at the right fork when you may first see the river. This area is reserved for rafting outfitters.)

First Drop

First Drop

Photo of Dave McWethy by Thomas O'Keefe taken 07/07/96

The mostly flat (with minor rock-garden rips) 2.3 mile access paddle brings you to a power line crossing overhead, which is your signal that "First Drop" is imminent. Beginner/Intermediate boaters will probably want to scout the drop, while more experienced boaters will be able to boat-scout and hit their line. At higher flows, a 'curler' in this drop flips rafters by the droves. Many folks carry up to re-run this drop, and (again, at moderate-to-high flows) people are known to 'body surf' the drop, getting 'stuffed' by the curler, to pop up well downstream. Do be aware that there are some large boulders in the outrun.

It's a blast

It's a blast

Photo of ? by Mark Mastalski taken 04/06/03 @ 15" (at Kosir's)

Some of the best surfs, spins, and blasting can be done on "Second Drop".

WI, Peshtigo, Third Drop

WI, Peshtigo, Third Drop

Photo of Elise Giddings by Tom O'Keefe taken 05/15/96

Back-to-back holes mark this drop. At low-to-moderate levels, they can provide some decent play. At higher levels, they can get VERY sticky, and those who fail to 'punch' them (or avoid them) will provide entertainment to others.

Five Foot Falls

Five Foot Falls

Photo by Jesse Becker @ 12"

How anyone could measure this drop at five feet is beyond me. In any event, the traditional line is down a twisting chute, fairly well over to river left. Currents carom off a rock wall on shore, twisting back toward the main flow (center river) and tripping through a couple of holes. A straightforward line right down center river is possible, as the river mostly just slides down rock. Between those two lines the drop is more vertical, but it lands on fairly shallow rock.

Horserace Rapids on the beautiful Peshtigo

Horserace Rapids on the beautiful Peshtigo

Photo of Bob Heckler by Wendi Heckler

The longest, most continuous rapids on the river -- Horserace Rapids. Many beginner/intermediate boaters will be well served to scout this drop (usually from river-right). A lead-in of easy waves progresses to a couple of significant holes. At moderate-to-high flows, eddies are surging, swirling, boiling affairs. A pair of offset holes precedes the final hurrah, "Jerry's Chute". Be aware that the outflow and eddy below Jerry's contains MUCH shallow rock. If you are upside-down or out of your boat, this can be BRUTAL!!! Roll fast, or tuck up (kiss your deck!) to avoid close encounters of the worst kind.

S Turn

S Turn

Photo of Mike Eviston by Thomas O'Keefe taken 05/13/11 @ 950 cfs

The final named drop is S-Curve. Flow is wraps hard to the left, across a submerged ledge, and through a good hole. Old-school boaters delighted in doing 'enders' here to their hearts content.

Downstream, there is another bit of boulder-bed rapids before the gradient peters out completely, leaving a totally flatwater paddle to the take-out.

After the gradient peters-out below S-Curve, you have to suffer a mile of flatwater (passing Hwy.C midway through) to get to the take-out. Private boaters in general should not take out at Hwy.C unless they are camped at Kosirs Resort.