Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

*Gauge cited is 'virtual gauge' based on a USGS gauge located far upstream. Drainage area at the put-in for this reach is nearly three times (actually 2.78x) the drainage area at the gauge. It should be obvious that actual flow in this reach will not 100% correlate with this virtual gauge (due to time lag and various other factors). The virtual gauge should, however, be reasonably reliable as an indicator of likely runnability for this reach.

It is a good idea to go to the 565 bridge for a good visual check on the water level and difficulty. If the bridge rapid looks good to you, go for it!

This river is paddleable at virtually all flows, since it is 'lakes' connected by drops. Some drops will be constricted enough to paddle at quite low flows.

'Minimum' flow value indicates likely runnablity of a majority of the drops.
'Maximum' flow value indicates a level at which many rapids on this run will become very mean and scary for many boaters.

Note: Be aware that indication of a 'runnable' level does not mean that the river is necessarily runnable. In winter, readings may be 'ice affected', and/or sections of the river may be impassable due to ice. This is especially true for this reach of this river, since there are such long, flat stretches of river which may not flush free of ice as early as other rivers with more continuous gradient. The relatively compact lower reach may not be as troublesome in this regard.

Based on statistical analysis of historical data, the following list shows months in decending order of the liklihood of this reach being runnable. In parenthesis are the percentage, and the average number of days in the month it is runnable.
May (44%, 14), April (31%, 9), June (18%, 5), November (12%, 4), October (9%, 3), March (8%, 2).

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
Escanaba, M.Br. Upper
virtual-10535 200 - 550 cfs I-II(IV) 01h05m ~ 44.48 cfs (rc= -0.6 )
Likely too low for reasonable whitewater. May be paddled as flatwater, likely portaging all gradient.
Virtual gauge attempts to project flows based on gauge way upstream. Actual flow and boatability for this reach must be confirmed by on-site inspection.
RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
0 - 100 cfs extremely Low-somewhat Low I-II(IV) Likely too low for reasonable whitewater. May be paddled as flatwater, likely portaging all gradient.
100 - 200 cfs somewhat Low-barely Low I-II(IV) Likely ELF (Extreme Low Flow) run. Some rapids runnable, others too grungy.
200 - 550 cfs barely runnable-high runnable II-IV Likely best flows. (Will need visual confirmation.)
550 - 800 cfs somewhat High-somewhat High II-IV+ Likely unusually high. Many drops will be intense. Caution is urged.

Report - Reports of Escanaba, M.Br. A) White City Falls to 1.2 mile above CR565 (9.3 miles+1.6 miles for lower) 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
Escanaba, M. Br. [MI] First drop on the Escanaba n/a Mark Mastalski
M.Br.Escanaba [MI] 'Half Dome' high Rob Smage
4y321d19h02m @Escanaba, M.Br. A) White City Falls to 1.2 mile above CR565 (9.3 miles+1.6 mil [MI] M.Br.Escanaba n/a Rob Smage
5y312d05h03m Middle Branch Escanaba [WI] Boris runs White City Falls 150 cfs Mike Croak
9y279d05h03m Escanaba, M.Br. [MI] Various drops 176 cfs on gauge Mark Mastalski
> 10 years Escanaba, M. Br. [MI] Various drops n/a Mark Mastalski