Sturgeon (Dickinson), Michigan, US

Sturgeon Dam (1.7 miles)

Usual Difficulty	III-IV (varies with level)
Length	1.7 Miles
Avg. Gradient	35 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
FORD RIVER NEAR HYDE, MI
usgs-04059500	250 - 1000 cfs	II-III+	59d11h32m	~ 254 cfs (rc= 0.0 )
	Unconfirmed. Probably best flows for whitewater on this reach. (Likely 200-500 cfs.) We need your comments and reports to refine runnable ranges. Sturgeon (389 sq.mi. at Hwy.2, downstream of this reach) might roughly correlate to 80% of the flow of the Ford gauge (450 sq.mi. drainage).

River Description

As a result of the Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement (by WE Energies), removal of the Sturgeon Dam (near Norway, MI) has resulted in a new paddling destination which is convenient to other area rivers (Piers Gorge on the Menominee and Horeserace Rapids on the Paint).

The removal process was started summer of 2003 and completed autumn of 2005. This removal yielded about 1/3 mile of whitewater located in a scenic gorge. This should be big water class III and IV during the high flows of early season and more moderate class II and III in the summer months.

See additonal 'User Comments' attached below for the most recent information regarding this reach.

For current information on the removal process, please see WE Energies's Sturgeon River Restoration Project.