Trappe, Wisconsin, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | I-II(III) (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 19 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 39 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRAIRIE RIVER NEAR MERRILL, WI | ||||
| usgs-05394500 | 2.63 - 5.00 ft | I-II(III) | 00h31m | ~ 1.87 ft (rc= -0.3 ) |
The most significant rapids (about a mile below the Trappe River Road bridge) is about 200 yards
long and features considerably more gradient and difficulty than the rest of the run. A
substantial hole midway through, followed by shallow rock (right) and a bend with a large
tree/snag (left) made this a portage for most of us at the high water level.
UPDATE October 23, 2005. A group of UW Hoofers ran this stretch at probably the bare minimum (see
Put-in picture). There are several minor rapids between the put-in and the most significant
rapids mentioned above. At the minimal level, this significant rapid was a steep boulder garden
that resembled a pinball course, emphasis on pin. We were able to make our way through due to the
low flows. Intermediate flows may make this drop ugly, if not a mandatory portage.
This run makes a great companion run for the near-by Pine River(Lincoln Co.).
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRAIRIE RIVER NEAR MERRILL, WI | ||||||||||||
| usgs-05394500 | 2.63 - 5.00 ft | I-II(III) | 00h31m | ~ 1.87 ft (rc= -0.3 ) | ||||||||
|
Reference gauge (Prairie River) should be fairly predictive of water in this reach. Actual flows must be confirmed by on-site inspection. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2y289d16h29m | @Trappe CTH.G to Rocky Ridge Rd (5.1 miles) [WI] |
Main section
|
5.50 ft | bryan foster |
| 4y318d19h29m | Trappe [WI] |
Rapids (Eric)
|
3.3ft | Richard Brooks |
| 6y175d19h29m | Trappe [WI] |
Visual Gauge at Put-in
|
Too Low | Andrew Lovering |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -1.6 | Alternate Put-in | N/A |  |
| 2.0 | Big Drop | III |  |
For a slightly longer trip, you could put in at Hwy.G.
This adds mostly just swift-flowing water, with relatively little actual rapids.
Rapids (lower part)The only significant drop on this river, and it can be quite a doozy. With any reasonably boatable flow, you will probably want to scout, and many will be likely to portage. The river drops 20' in a relatively short distance, through a fairly complex boulder-bed and bedrock drop.
reach
state
reachlink
CTH.G to Rocky Ridge Rd (3.5 miles), Trappe Wisconsin, US (mobile)
User Comments
the extra water the rapid turned into a succession of drops and holes and a definite class III. The
main drop is the one pictured in most of the photos as the rock on river right was under water and
so is the one just toward the center, which if not hit correctly will send you off course and
perhaps into a swim:) I would recommend putting in at CTH J instead of G since there is a nice
grassy put in on the upstream river right side and you don't miss anything except some swift
current. By the way, I love catching this river. So if you are planning on paddling it let me know.
to the bolder garden that comes up on you fast. Was planning a portage but handled the drops well
with short notice. Spray Skirt was worth its weight in gold today! Best Whitewater in this area.
Make sure you have enough water. Edit