Turtle Creek, Wisconsin, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | I (varies with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.7 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 3 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 3 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TURTLE CREEK AT CARVERS ROCK ROAD NEAR CLINTON, WI | ||||
| usgs-05431486 | 150 - 500 cfs | I-II | 01h01m | 252 cfs (rc= 0.3 ) |
Good runnable flow. Gauge (199 sq.mi. drainage) lies about two miles upstream of listed put-in, thus quite accurately reflects flows in reach. |
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Quick Facts:
Location: Hwy.140 to Shopiere (Approximately 6 miles NW from Beloit, WI).
Character: Rural scenery (fields, trees), an impressive scenic railroad trestle, mudflat and
gravel shoals.
Shuttle Length: 1.3 miles or 4.9 miles. For whitewater enthusiasts, mostly recommended as
(possible) park-and-play at railroad ledge near Smith Road.
General Overview
Removal of the Shopiere Dam (summer, 2000) had revealed a short bedrock ledge. Well,
bedrock is probably the wrong term -- the bottom here is mud and clay. Unfortunately, the
ledge' has now completely eroded away. However, additional scouting has found other potential
playspots in this watershed. (See 'Rapids' and 'Maps' tabs.)
A very enjoyable, moderately scenic 4.7 mile float trip (flatwater paddle) starts from parking at
a wayside at Hwy.140, 2.6 miles north of the town of Clinton, WI, and ends in a pretty little
park (Sweet-Allyn County Park at Belding/Butterfly Road just north of Shopiere) where gravel
shoals create a few minor riffs and rips leading downstream to the mown grassy area of the park
for your take-out. I have not floated this reach, but I have heard that there may be at least one
area where a rocky ledge and/or rock rubble forms a bit of pourover/wave (at some flows) which
may allow for minor surfs. This is right at the very scenic (multiple high-arching stonework)
railroad bridge which is about a mile upstream of Sweet-Allyn County Park, and may be accessed
from nearby Smith Road for a park-and-play, or a run of just 1.3 miles with the best of the
gradient (such as it is . . . just riffles and rips).
There is conflicting information about the location of the cited USGS gauge. The "Map" page (incorrectly) shows it right at the listed put-in. USGS information (correctly) lists it about two miles upstream of the listed put-in. In any event, it should provide a very good indication of actual flows in this reach.
Cited levels (min/max) are a guess, but should provide a decent float.
The stated 'minimum' indicates a level at which the areas of gradient (such as they are on this stream) will become shallow shoals. You will likely 'ground out', and it may be necessary to 'pole' or get out of your craft to drag or carry it to the next area of deeper water. The reach is floatable much lower, but cannot be considered any sort of 'whitewater' trip.
The stated 'maximum' really just indicates an 'unusually high' level. The reach is boatable much higher, but flatwater paddlers and novice whitewater paddlers will find the water quite swift. The inherent difficulty ('class' rating) of the river is unchanged, however the danger level (for paddlers inexperienced with swiftwater/whitewater) is greatly increased. At these levels, the run is likely to be a 'featureless flush', swift-water trip, but is unlikely to contain any true 'whitewater' features.
Offseason ('ice') stage/gauge correlations:
4.94'=375cfs
5.35'=500cfs
5.80'=641cfs
5.96'=700cfs
6.23'=805cfs
6.46'=900cfs
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TURTLE CREEK AT CARVERS ROCK ROAD NEAR CLINTON, WI | ||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-05431486 | 150 - 500 cfs | I-II | 01h01m | 252 cfs (rc= 0.3 ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Good runnable flow. |
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|
Gauge (199 sq.mi. drainage) lies about two miles upstream of listed put-in, thus quite accurately reflects flows in reach. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2y117d18h59m | @Turtle Creek Delavan to Shopiere (PnP, 1.3, 4.7 or up to 21.7 miles) [WI] |
Recon report
|
130 cfs | Rob Smage |
No Comments
Users can submit comments.| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 | Smith Road Bridge | N/A |   |
| 3.8 | Beautiful high multiple-arch railroad bridge | N/A | |
Smith Road BridgeSmith Road crosses Turtle Creek on an old one-lane iron bridge. This location can serve as put-in for a short (1.3 mile) scenic run with the minor ledge/wave for play near the high stonework trestle railroad bridge.
Railroad BridgeDefinitely one of the scenic highlights of this trip is this high multiple-arch stonework railroad bridge. Immediately downstream of it, there is a (very small) bedrock/rock-rubble ledge in center stream, which may offer some minor play at low-moderate flows.
reach
state
reachlink
B) Hwy.140 to Shopiere (PnP, 1.3, or 4.7 miles), Turtle Creek Wisconsin, US (mobile)
