West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444 river run
West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
The rapids on this segment include Rock Garden, Pinball, and The Maze. Rock Garden is a class III rapid that requires precise maneuvering, while Pinball is a bouncy class II rapid. The Maze is a technical class II rapid that requires paddlers to navigate through tight channels.
In terms of regulations, there are no specific regulations for this segment of the river. However, paddlers are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles and to respect private property rights while paddling. It is also recommended that paddlers wear personal flotation devices and have proper safety equipment.
Overall, the West Branch of the Whitewater River is a challenging run that offers a beautiful natural setting. Paddlers should be prepared for the technical rapids and varying water levels, and should take precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444 -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Au Train River At Forest Lake | 137 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Nahma Junction | 170 cfs | → |
| Escanaba River At Cornell | 508 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 143 cfs | → |
| Ford River Near Hyde | 193 cfs | → |
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 5 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Skandia Township
- Storage Basin Road Au Train Township
- Ackerman Lake Road Au Train Township
- Boy Scout Road Alger County
- Red Jack Lake Road Alger County
Other river runs
- From Sixteen Mile Lake To North Line Of Sec 26, T43n, R19w
- County Road H-58 (Aka. Adams Trail/ Munising-Van Meer-Shingleton Rd.) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- Section 17, T48n, R17w (Boundary Of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Lands) To Mouth At Lake Superior
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
- Brule Lake In Ne1/4 Sec 15, T41n, R13e To Forest Boundary In Se1/4 Sec 31, T41n, R17e
Campgrounds
- Forest Lake State Forest Campground
- Haymeadow Creek Campground
- Haymeadow Creek Campsites
- Hovey Lake Campground
- Hovey Lake Campsites
- Au Train Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444 as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444
What's the optimal flow for West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of West Branch From Source In Sec 26, T46n, R23 W To Junction With County Road 444.