Badfish, Wisconsin, US
|
|
Hwy.59 to Hwy.59 (2.7-11 miles)
| Usual Difficulty |
I(II) (varies with level) |
| Length |
2.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
6 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
6 fpm |
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
BADFISH CREEK NEAR COOKSVILLE, WI
|
|
usgs-05430150 |
80 - 1000 cfs
|
I |
03h19m |
108
cfs
(rc= 0.1 ) |
Tame beginner level. Gauge (82.6 sq.mi. drainage) is on reach (at lowest listed put-in) so very accurately portrays flows in this reach. |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: approximately 24 miles south from Madison.
Shuttle Length: 1.4-8.8 miles. (See details in "Directions" Tab.)
Character: Rural stream with swiftwater and atypically steady flow (See flow tab).
Uppermost put-in is approximately 867' elevation.
Lowest listed put-in is approximately 811' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 800' elevation.
General Overview
A couple of minor rapids (normally just class I) and a few rocks to dodge are the highlights of
this small twisty creek. Beginner paddlers from the Madison area find this a handy place to
practice in moving water. (Listed take-out is actually on (after the confluence with) the Yahara
River.
An anonymous tipster provides (2009-03-04):
There are put-ins above 59: Cooksville, Old Stage road and a little further up at Old Stone
road. Here the Badfish offers the same type of beginner friendly moving water as the listed
stretch. I would recommend them over putting in at 59 because the latter two put-ins are both in
protected hunting grounds instead of by the highway. The put-in at Cooksville is on Highway 138,
but at least its not as busy.
The following table lists these various access points and resultant distances to the listed
take-out. Other access points may exist.
Gradient is relatively negligible on this stream, so we are not doing a recalc of gradient for
each option of put-in/take-out.
|
Put-in
|
Distance (miles)
to listed take-out
|
|
Old Stone Rd.
|
11.6
|
|
Old Stage Rd.
|
9.0
|
|
W.Leedle Mill Rd.
|
8.25
|
|
Hwy.138/Cooksville
|
7.0
|
|
Hwy.59 (above listed put-in)
|
4.4
|
|
Hwy.59 (listed put-in)
|
2.67
|
NOTE: I have received a word of caution that Wild
Parsnip is very common in the area. Summer boaters are warned to become familiar with this
plant and its effects in order to avoid its unfortunate consequences. ("If the plant
juices come in contact with skin in the presence of sunlight, a rash and/or blistering can occur,
as well as skin discoloration that may last several months." "Sometimes the area that was
burned takes on a dark red or brown discoloration that can last for as long as 2
years.") Two excellent sources for information are Wisconsin Natural Resources
Magazine or the Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2010-10-08 12:46:39
No photos found. 
User Comments
Stone road. Here the Badfish offers the same type of beginner friendly moving water as the listed
stretch. These can be combined in to a longer run, maybe 5-7 miles total depending on which you
choose. I would recommend them over putting in at 59 because the latter two put-ins are both in
protected hunting grounds instead of by the highway. The put-in at Cooksville is on a highway, 138,
but at least its not as busy. Edit