Sturgeon (Baraga/Houghton) - C) Sturgeon Gorge: Sturgeon Falls to FSR193 (4 miles)


Sturgeon (Baraga/Houghton), Michigan, US

 Disclaimer

C) Sturgeon Gorge: Sturgeon Falls to FSR193 (4 miles)

Usual Difficulty II-III (for normal flows)
Avg. Gradient 31 fpm
Max Gradient 76 fpm

Sturgeon Falls in the Gorge Section.


Sturgeon Falls in the Gorge Section.
Photo by Mark Mastalski taken 07/15/02 @ 115cfs

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
STURGEON RIVER NEAR SIDNAW, MI
usgs-04040500 400 - 2000 cfs II-III 61d23h20m 85 cfs (rc= -0.7 )
Likely too low for reasonable whitewater run. Best flows are uncertain. Help out your fellow boaters by posting a comment about preferred flows. Gauge (171 sq.mi.drainage) lies nearly 20 miles upstream, with a good number of creeks/tribs intervening, thus gauge will understate actual flow in this reach.


River Description

Our 'recommended' put-in is via a 0.5 mile carry down trail to below Sturgeon Falls.

Take-out is at Sturgeon Gorge Road bridge, just above Prickett Lake.

This section is very scenic and mildly playful depending on water. The run starts with some Class II low angle sloping ledges and some wave-holes, later turning into numerous boulder rapids with an occasional small surf wave. The majority of the whitewater features are located in the first half of this reach, which averages about 50'/mile. The second half is primarily a moving water egress paddle.

This reach, combined with the 10.9 miles of river upstream of Sturgeon Falls, is a fairly popular canoe run through a scenic valley. Starting from the USFS Sturgeon Rd campground there is mostly quietwater until a short distance above the falls. For those without whitewater experience/equipment, caution is advised in the approach to the falls portage, notably at flows anywhere above the listed minimum here. There's only a small eddy before Sturgeon Falls. While there are some sweet rapids (waves and holes) in the stretch above the falls, there is extreme risk of going beyond the 'point of no return' and being swept into/over the falls. There has been at least one death as a result of misjudging this. Several years ago a paddler in a recreational kayak (non-whitewater type like the Keowee) lost control in the approach to the falls and elected to swim for shore -- he failed to make it. This was at a flow of about 700 cfs. For this reason, a put-in below the falls is recommended.

 


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2011-05-19 17:32:47

Sturgeon Falls in the Gorge Section.

Detail Trip Report  Sturgeon Falls in the Gorge Section.  Sturgeon, MI(26.73KB .jpeg)


Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

While runnable at lower flows, it becomes less of a whitewater run. For "fun" flows look for 700 cfs or better. As the gradient is fairly regular, there may be no effective maximum.

Disclaimer: Be aware that indication of a 'runnable' level by the gauge does not necessarily mean that the river is runnable. In winter, gauge readings may be 'ice affected'. Sections of the river may be impassable due to ice. Use discretion for winter and early spring runs.

Gauge/flow analysis (based on gauge data 1913 to 2009)
Drainage area at gauge 171 sq.mi.
Minimum mean daily flow during gauge period 2.4 cfs (2007.08.27)
90% of time flow exceeds 30 cfs
10% of time flow exceeds 500 cfs
Maximum mean daily flow during gauge period 4,820 cfs (2002.04.17)
10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness')
(under 3 is fairly steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy')		 16.7

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
STURGEON RIVER NEAR SIDNAW, MI
usgs-04040500 400 - 2000 cfs II-III 61d23h20m 85 cfs (rc= -0.7 )
Likely too low for reasonable whitewater run. Best flows are uncertain. Help out your fellow boaters by posting a comment about preferred flows.
Gauge (171 sq.mi.drainage) lies nearly 20 miles upstream, with a good number of creeks/tribs intervening, thus gauge will understate actual flow in this reach.
RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
0 - 250 cfs extremely Low-somewhat Low II-III Likely too low for reasonable whitewater run. Best flows are uncertain. Help out your fellow boaters by posting a comment about preferred flows.
250 - 400 cfs somewhat Low-barely Low II-III Likely low, but possible whitewater run. Best flows are uncertain. Help out your fellow boaters by posting a comment about preferred flows.
400 -2000 cfs barely runnable-high runnable II-III Likely good boatable range. Best flows are uncertain. Help out your fellow boaters by posting a comment about preferred flows.
2000 -4000 cfs somewhat High-somewhat High II-III Unusually high flows. Caution is urged for any who venture onto this run.
4000 -6000 cfs somewhat High-extremely High II-III (Near) record flows. Utmost caution is urged.

Report - Reports of Sturgeon (Baraga/Houghton) C) Sturgeon Gorge: Sturgeon Falls to FSR193 (4 miles) and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
9y213d22h20m Sturgeon [MI] Sturgeon Falls in the Gorge Section. 115cfs Mark Mastalski

WXPort

News





No Comments

Users can submit comments.

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Sturgeon FallsWaterfall
0.3marked rapids #1N/A
1.1marked rapids #2N/A
1.7marked rapids #3N/A
2.1marked rapids #4N/A

Rapid Descriptions

Sturgeon Falls

We are not aware of any (intentional, successful) runs of this falls.




Do more than just check gauges; join over 5,000 AW members today.

Join_or_Renew_Logo-200px

Join or Renew

Or, consider donating

Donate_Logo-200px

Donate


General Nonmember Message


 reach  
 state  
 reachlink  
 C) Sturgeon Gorge: Sturgeon Falls to FSR193 (4 miles), Sturgeon (Baraga/Houghton) Michigan, US (mobile)