critters are back there. back are critters

which is the only bridge on this stretch. this on bridge only the is which

what about curious are you if visit a worth are and wildlife other and birds harbor

river, north side of the highway. Parking is on the side of the highway, highway, the of side the on is Parking highway. the of side north river,

islands these stretch, this along backwaters the Like route. this along islands

2. Highway N Highway 2. – easiest access point is on the east (river left) side of the the of side left) (river east the on is point access easiest –

the river access, the land along this stretch is private. There are three small, public public small, three are There private. is stretch this along land the access, river the

provide that parks the from Apart areas: recreation public other and islands BLM • the river. The access is via a low, shallow bank. shallow low, a via is access The river. the within view of the bridge. the of view within

way X, west side of the river. Parking is available a short distance from from distance short a available is Parking river. the of side west X, way stretch, the of end the before just course obstacle an of bit a presents islands

creates buggy conditions during wet times of year, so come prepared. come so year, of times wet during conditions buggy creates

1. Black River Recreation Area Recreation River Black 1. – Location is on the south side of High- of side south the on is Location – the south after the confluence with the Popple, and a cluster of small, rocky rocky small, of cluster a and Popple, the with confluence the after south the

hemlock bluffs in some areas. The broad floodplain in this stretch and the next next the and stretch this in floodplain broad The areas. some in bluffs hemlock

to bends river the where is these of One stretch. the of portion rocky the along

features and County, Clark in River Black the of most like forested, is stretch

River Access Locations Access River

scattered are – acre an of tenths two as small as some – islands small more

backwaters that likely teem with frogs and other wildlife in the spring. This This spring. the in wildlife other and frogs with teem likely that backwaters

Several channel. secondary the meets channel primary the after right your http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/rt.

mysterious of full excursion, enchanting an provides channel left the However,

good spot to catch frogs, since it has a small pond on it. The second will be to to be will second The it. on pond small a has it since frogs, catch to spot good which includes water data taken from the gauge at Neillsville, at at Neillsville, at gauge the from taken data water includes which

strainers. dangerous be could that trees downed several has channel left the

at the beginning of the stretch. The first is about a half-mile in and may be a be may and in half-mile a about is first The stretch. the of beginning the at level and flow rate from the United State Geological Survey’s website, website, Survey’s Geological State United the from rate flow and level

since well, as water high at paddle to easier likely is it navigability; better to due

that may be used for picnicking, fishing, or watching wildlife. Two of these are are these of Two wildlife. watching or fishing, picnicking, for used be may that flow water conditions. You can get current information on the water water the on information current get can You conditions. water flow

The significantly deeper right channel is easier to paddle at low water conditions conditions water low at paddle to easier is channel right deeper significantly The

islands public several has stretch the but privately-owned, entirely are stretch steep and they offer numerous safe portages around any low or high high or low any around portages safe numerous offer they and steep

stretch is divided into two navigable channels that are separated by several islands. islands. several by separated are that channels navigable two into divided is stretch

BLM islands and other public recreation areas: The riverbanks along this this along riverbanks The areas: recreation public other and islands BLM • most experienced paddlers. Thankfully the riverbanks are not typically typically not are riverbanks the Thankfully paddlers. experienced most

flat relatively This bottom. rocky a has river the of portion This Description: •

river reveal exciting class I and class II rapids difficult except for the the for except difficult rapids II class and I class exciting reveal river

meets the Black about a mile from the end of the stretch. the of end the from mile a about Black the meets

Gradient: 3.7 feet per mile. per feet 3.7 Gradient: •

Furthermore, when river flows exceed 500 cfs, many stretches of the the of stretches many cfs, 500 exceed flows river when Furthermore,

second and is dangerous for novice paddlers at high flows. The Popple River River Popple The flows. high at paddlers novice for dangerous is and second

have low water levels that make paddling some stretches difficult. difficult. stretches some paddling make that levels water low have

Length and approximate duration: 3.2 miles, 1 hr and 45 min. 45 and hr 1 miles, 3.2 duration: approximate and Length •

when the flow at the Neillsville gauge falls below around 200 cubit feet per per feet cubit 200 around below falls gauge Neillsville the at flow the when

When river flows are below 200 cfs, many stretches of the Black River River Black the of stretches many cfs, 200 below are flows river When

rocky for the remainder of the stretch. This stretch is very difficult to paddle paddle to difficult very is stretch This stretch. the of remainder the for rocky

Highway X to Highway N Highway to X Highway

some parts of the river non-navigable to even the lightest kayaks. kayaks. lightest the even to non-navigable river the of parts some

very becomes bottom the south, the to turns river the When forests. hemlock

the river’s large boulders, while typical summertime dry periods render render periods dry summertime typical while boulders, large river’s the

to the southeast for about one mile. This stretch flows along a high bluff with with bluff high a along flows stretch This mile. one about for southeast the to Descriptions of Stretches of Descriptions

rate. High spring flows and heavy summer rains produce rapids around around rapids produce rains summer heavy and flows spring High rate.

passes and become an oxbow. After the two channels reunite, the river flows flows river the reunite, channels two the After oxbow. an become and passes

The Black River is subject to large fluctuations in water level and flow flow and level water in fluctuations large to subject is River Black The

time as abandoned be likely most will right the to channel the travel, to river accessible by a walking path. walking a by accessible

Water Level Information Level Water the for route direct more a is left the to channel the Because left. the to one west (right) side of the river. The parking lot is up a hill from the river, river, the from hill a up is lot parking The river. the of side (right) west

9. Listeman Arboretum Listeman 9. the is channel primary the upstream, Unlike in. river-mile one-half over just

– located on the north side of Highway 10 on the the on 10 Highway of side north the on located –

them are great places to stop for a visit when you’re on the river. the on you’re when visit a for stop to places great are them

so flows through relatively flat terrain, and the river splits into two channels channels two into splits river the and terrain, flat relatively through flows so

25 of these public islands. These are your public lands, and several of of several and lands, public your are These islands. public these of 25 the parking area. parking the

Description: This long stretch varies from beginning to end. The first mile or mile first The end. to beginning from varies stretch long This Description: •

paddle the Black River in Clark County, you may pass by as many as as many as by pass may you County, Clark in River Black the paddle river by the island on the right side; go to the right of the island to get to to get to island the of right the to go side; right the on island the by river

Gradient: 4.2 feet per mile. per feet 4.2 Gradient: • sold to homesteaders and have remained federal public lands. As you you As lands. public federal remained have and homesteaders to sold through some light brush to the river. You can recognize the spot from the the from spot the recognize can You river. the to brush light some through

and lakes. Since these islands were not surveyed, they were never never were they surveyed, not were islands these Since lakes. and able at the end of the road. You will have to walk a very short distance distance short very a walk to have will You road. the of end the at able

Length and approximate duration: 7.2 miles, 4 hrs and 15 min. 15 and hrs 4 miles, 7.2 duration: approximate and Length •

1800s, the surveyors passed by most of the small islands in our rivers rivers our in islands small the of most by passed surveyors the 1800s, The road is public, in spite of the sign at the intersection. Parking is avail- is Parking intersection. the at sign the of spite in public, is road The

Colby Factory Road to Riplinger Road Riplinger to Road Factory Colby When the U.S. government first surveyed Wisconsin in the mid- the in Wisconsin surveyed first government U.S. the When Avenue. Turn to the east off Grand Avenue on the north side of the river. river. the of side north the on Avenue Grand off east the to Turn Avenue.

8. Neillsville North Side North Neillsville 8. – located at the end of an unpaved road off Grand Grand off road unpaved an of end the at located –

Origin of BLM Islands BLM of Origin Wisconsin DNR land. DNR Wisconsin

is park the to up leading frontage of feet 1,000 approximately distance down a rather steep path from the parking lot to the river. the to lot parking the from path steep rather a down distance

Other Recreational Areas Along Black River Black Along Areas Recreational Other

These islands are low enough to be flooded each spring. The last last The spring. each flooded be to enough low are islands These H on the west side of the river. You will have to carry your canoe a short short a canoe your carry to have will You river. the of side west the on H

Islands/ BLM

7. Highway H Highway 7. Park. Longwood at take-out the from across other each beside islands – accessible via a driveway on the south side of Highway Highway of side south the on driveway a via accessible –

parcel is intended for public recreational use. There are two public public two are There use. recreational public for intended is parcel

under a set of power lines. power of set a under human intervention with native flora and fauna communities thriving. communities fauna and flora native with intervention human

this whether on information for Town the Contact N. Highway

river. When you are paddling, the take-out will be on the left after you pass pass you after left the on be will take-out the paddling, are you When river. has changed over time and most of the islands remain free from from free remain islands the of most and time over changed has

of south mile .25 and .16 about between river the of side east the on

unless you are able to back down the narrow, curved path leading to the the to leading path curved narrow, the down back to able are you unless inventoried was in the mid-1970s. However, little about the islands islands the about little However, mid-1970s. the in was inventoried

frontage river of feet 430 about with parcel 2-acre a owns wood

Highway 73. You will have to carry your canoe a short distance to the car car the to distance short a canoe your carry to have will You 73. Highway River inventorying the public islands. The last time the islands were were islands the time last The islands. public the inventorying River

BLM islands and other public recreation areas: The Town of Long- of Town The areas: recreation public other and islands BLM •

6. Willard Road Willard 6. – located at the dead end of Willard Road, which is off off is which Road, Willard of end dead the at located – Clark County Land Conservation Department paddled the Black Black the paddled Department Conservation Land County Clark

making it easy to paddle. to easy it making of 2009, the Bureau of Land Management in cooperation with the the with cooperation in Management Land of Bureau the 2009, of

is at the downstream end of the park. the of end downstream the at is

current slow a has river the of part this cfs 300 around of discharge a which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. In the summer summer the In Interior. the of Department U.S. the of part is which

from a large, wooded island. The closest point on the river to the parking lot lot parking the to river the on point closest The island. wooded large, a from

At take-out. the from river the across channel main the with up encounter are public, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Management, Land of Bureau the by managed public, are encounter

and picnic areas. The park is on the east (left) side of the river, directly across across directly river, the of side (left) east the on is park The areas. picnic and

meets that – backwater shallow slow, another – channel less-traveled deep, calm sections. Along the way, about 25 of the islands you will will you islands the of 25 about way, the Along sections. calm deep,

is available in the park, which also has campsites, restrooms, drinking water, water, drinking restrooms, campsites, has also which park, the in available is

the take to paddlers curious more allowing again, branches river the challenging rapids, but it also contains enchanting backwaters and and backwaters enchanting contains also it but rapids, challenging

5. Greenwood Park Greenwood 5. – located off Highway 73 north of Greenwood. Parking Parking Greenwood. of north 73 Highway off located –

and eagles. The whole stretch isn’t like this, though. Near the end, end, the Near though. this, like isn’t stretch whole The eagles. and several scenic bluffs. Depending on the flow, this stretch has many many has stretch this flow, the on Depending bluffs. scenic several

way N is wide, straight, and deep – a good place to spot kingfishers kingfishers spot to place good a – deep and straight, wide, is N way long stretch of the Black River is almost entirely wooded and contains contains and wooded entirely almost is River Black the of stretch long available on the road a short distance away from the bridge. the from away distance short a road the on available

High- of south river the though, stretch, previous the Unlike easy. to enjoy the Black from County Highway X and Highway 10. This This 10. Highway and X Highway County from Black the enjoy to (right) side of the river. This is the only bridge on this stretch. Parking is is Parking stretch. this on bridge only the is This river. the of side (right)

Description: This stretch is similar to the previous, being flat and and flat being previous, the to similar is stretch This Description: • 4. Riplinger Road Riplinger 4. the way, there are plenty of opportunities for more casual paddlers paddlers casual more for opportunities of plenty are there way, the – located on the upstream side of the bridge and the west west the and bridge the of side upstream the on located –

whitewater boaters.” While this is the case in certain locations along along locations certain in case the is this While boaters.” whitewater

Gradient: 4.2 feet per mile. per feet 4.2 Gradient: • see the Colby Factory Road bridge. Road Factory Colby the see

confluence with the Popple River to Lake Arbutus, is “for experienced experienced “for is Arbutus, Lake to River Popple the with confluence

at a steep, low bank. You will know you are approaching the park when you you when park the approaching are you know will You bank. low steep, a at

Paddling Southern Wisconsin says that the Black River, from the the from River, Black the that says Wisconsin Southern Paddling Length and approximate duration: 2.4 miles, 1 hr and 30 min. 30 and hr 1 miles, 2.4 duration: approximate and Length •

right) side of river. Parking is available a short walk from the river. Access is is Access river. the from walk short a available is Parking river. of side right)

Highway N to Colby Factory Road Factory Colby to N Highway Park Longwood 3. – located on north side of Colby Factory Road, west(river west(river Road, Factory Colby of side north on located – Introduction – Paddling the Black River River Black the Paddling – Introduction

Riplinger Road to Greenwood Park Highway H to Neillsville North Side • Length and approximate duration: 3.2 miles, 1 hr and 20 min. • Length and approximate duration: 7.0 miles, 4 hrs. • Gradient: 9.4 feet per mile. • Gradient: 8.6 feet per mile. • Description: This portion of the river has a very rocky bottom. When the • Description: At typical late-spring/early-summer flows, this stretch of the river Neillsville gauge registers a flow of about 200 cfs – typical late-spring/early- has many areas with Class I rapids; at typical summer flows, you will likely summer conditions – the stretch has a few calm, flat area sections, but have to carry your canoe through many shallow areas. This stretch is mostly most of the stretch has abundant, large rocks and rapids creating Class I-II wooded with some areas with rock faces that have cedar glades around them. conditions. At typical summer flows, you will likely have to carry your • BLM islands and other public recreation areas: the stretch begins and ends canoe through many shallow areas. with small public islands. The island adjacent to the take-out is a good spot for • BLM islands and other public recreation areas: The island directly across a picnic or fishing. from Greenwood Park is public and may be a good spot for fishing.

Neillsville North Side to Listeman Arboretum Greenwood Park to Willard Road • Length and approximate duration: 2.0 miles, 44 min. • Length and approximate duration: 3.1 miles, 1 hr and 17 min. • Gradient: 5 feet per mile. • Gradient: 6.5 feet per mile. • Description: At typical late-spring/early-summer flows, this stretch is very • Description: The river bottom for this stretch is rocky. At typical late- rocky and difficult to navigate. At higher flows, this stretch likely has several spring/early-summer flows, the stretch has a few Class I rapids and a Class Class I-II or higher rapids. II rapid. The Class II rapid can be avoided by going around the right side • BLM islands and other public recreation areas: of the small island that is down-stream of Highway G. The two channels A small public island is adjacent to the put-in. that pass to the right of the island are narrow and shallow, and you will Two small public islands are on the right and left sides of the river, just beyond likely have to carry your canoe for a short distance. a bend to the right. • BLM islands and other public recreation areas: One public island is located less than one-half mile downstream from the Highway G bridge. In order to land on this island – or to avoid a Class II rapid – steer to the right side of Island ethics the river after you see a park bench on the left bank and before you come to a right bend in the river. The island is high enough for camping, but Several of the public islands are wonderful places to stop to rest, have a picnic, there is poison ivy on the left (east) side. The land on the west side of the or enjoy the views of the Black River during your paddling trip. There are a few river is owned by Clark County, and it may be possible to put in or take guidelines that will help to protect the beauty of these islands for other visitors out through this parcel if you want a shorter stretch. after you leave. • Pack out all your garbage and human waste. The islands are not Willard Road to Highway H suitable for digging cat holes for human waste, since they are close to both the river and groundwater. • Length and approximate duration: 7.5 miles, 4 hrs and 30 min. • Do not use any live wood for fires, and do not damage or destroy any live • Gradient: 6.7 feet per mile. plants. • Description: At typical late-spring/early-summer flows, this stretch has • Use only existing fire rings and tent pads. several Class I rapids; at typical summer flows, you will likely have to carry your canoe through many shallow areas. It’s a great stretch for spotting • Keep your noise level low. Loud noises may disturb people and wildlife living birds and turtles. near the river. • BLM islands and other public recreation areas: The stretch begins and ends with public islands. While the first, directly across from the Willard Road access, is dominated by silver maple trees and tall, non-native, invasive reed canary grass, the second, at the take-out, is a small, open island that is connected to the main-land by a dry walking trail. Other than these islands, the land along the river is almost entirely privately owned. Plan to paddle the whole stretch non-stop unless you have permission from a private landowner to stop on his/her land. Canoeing on the Black River Clark County, Wisconsin 1 Black River RecreationOwen Area Withee State Hwy 29

Canoe Launch Sites 3 BLM Black River Islands 4 Highway X to Highway N 2011 2 Highway N

County Hwy D Highway N to Colby Factory Road Colby Factory Road to Riplinger Road Riplinger Road to Greenwood Park Greenwood Park to Willard Road Black River Rd Willard Road to Highway H Cty Hwy N Colby Factory Rd 3 Longwood Park Highway H to Neillsville North Side Longwood Neillsville North Side to Listeman Arboretum Rivers & Streams Cloverdale Rd Cloverdale Rd Black_River Black River Watershed 1:120,000

County Hwy O 0 2.5 5 Miles State Hwy 73

County Hwy K

Popple River Nelson Cr Norwegian Cr

4 Riplinger Road

County Hwy MM

Maple Center Rd

5 Greenwood Park Rocky Run County Hwy G

Greenwood Rock Cr County Hwy G County Hwy K

Loyal 6 Willard Road State Hwy 98 Bear Cr Chickadee Rd State Hwy 73 26 Road County Hwy OO Hwy OO 26 Road B l a

c

k

R Bobwhite Rd i v e

r Heintown Rd County Hwy O County PelsdorfAve County Hwy G County Hwy H 7 Highway H Christie Mound Cr

Panther Cr Hwy K County

Cawley Cr

Timber Lane Rd

County Hwy C Fremont Rd

State Hwy 73 O'Neill CrGranton Rd South Br O'Neill Cr Spooner Cr 8 Neillsville North Side

Neillsville

US Hwy 10 US Hwy 10 PelsdorfAve 9 Listeman Arboretum