Throughout the summer, as the Namekagon Interpretive team paddles the rivers, talks to other Riverway staff, and talks to visitors, we will be posting information about the river conditions.
Posted: September 20, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Big Bend to Trego
Last Friday I took what I hope isn't (but very well could be) my last river paddle of the season. This past summer sure flew by quickly. The water levels on Friday were the lowest I've seen this season, but nothing like the last several years. I scraped, but I wouldn't have had to get out if I was paying more attention. Guess we've gotten spoiled this summer. I was just going right down the middle after Big Bend…"la-di-da"…when "umph", I grounded on a sand bar. I felt pretty silly. I wasn't even looking. You can bet I did after that! If you look, you can actually see a line in the water as it flows over logs and shallow sand bars.
![]( "Three mergansers with shaggy red heads and white and grey bodies on the
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<a href=") Read More About A Little Scraping by Ranger Joan
Posted: September 13, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Stinnett to Trego-Groat to Springbrook:
Wow! What a difference a week without rain makes! The river is noticeably lower. Yesterday I kayaked from Stinnett to Big Bend. Now to help you translate my experience to your situation, I should tell you I was in a 12 foot kayak and I am a big person.
Stinnett to Groat was low but I was able to "scrape" (hee-hee) through without stopping. However, between Groat and North Springbrook there were at least three or four shallow riffles where I actually ran aground. I should've just gotten out immediately, but you know what a pain it is for creaky knees to get in and out of kayaks. So, I was trying a technique from Law Enforcement Ranger Dean Martinson. A couple years ago, he kayaked from Namekagon Dam to County
Posted: September 07, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
9-5-11 Springbrook to TregoGood levels-keep looking for the fastest channel
Another gorgeous day on the river; I really hope it wasn't my last for the season. I must confess, floating down the Namekagon is one of my very favorite activities. It's always too short.
Just like K to Whispering Pine last week, the water levels were very good but you do have to pay attention and keep an eye out for the fastest current. I was especially curious about the shallow riffles right after Springbrook, many is the time I've bottomed out there. As I approached it looked shallow, so I took the tiny but fast current through the little islands to the right. No problem. I did bottom out on some shallows once and scraped a bit here and there but only because I got distracted
Posted: September 03, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
 Time to dust off those "looking ahead for the main current" skills! The water levels are back to normal; which at County K, means scraping a bit here and there if you misjudge. Nothing too low, it's easy to paddle through, we just have to pay attention again. It was kind of luxurious being able to just go right down the middle of the river the last weeks, but it is easier to get out of a kayak again.
Last Saturday I paddled from County K to Whispering Pine. It was gorgeous.
Posted: August 23, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
 Whispering Pine to Fritz
Last Thursday was an absolutely perfect day to paddle, positively delightful. The water levels were high for the season, but not at all hazardous. What a contrast from two summers ago! Instead of weaving back and forth, seeking the fastest current; I went right down the middle! even on
Posted: August 16, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
 Water levels on the Namekagon have receded to high for this time of year, but well within normal parameters. 1.4 is too low to do Namekagon Dam to County M, but high enough to do the rest of the Namekagon. I'm guessing you might scrape a little around Larsen landing.
Here in Trego, it still looks a little high but not scarily so. You'll just glide over a lot of rocks you might have scraped on a couple summers ago.
Posted: August 09, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
L ast Tuesday was quite the storm! Sure didn't wanna drive in that! So, I snuggled under the covers on my day off. Absently, I wondered what the water levels would be when I went back to work on Thursday. Ha! With the ground already saturated, this storm drove the river to water levels not seen since 1991! Darn!
Posted: August 01, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Ranger Seth Spencer paddled from County Road T Landing to CCC Bridge landing last week, two days after a rain storm.The day after the storm the gauge was at 1.4. The next day when Seth went it was 1.1. He reported it was fast and fun going through Fish Trap.
This past Monday the gauge at T read 1.0. I would call that the minimum level to do T to CCC if you want to have fun and not walk and scrape half the way. You will notice that the Upper St. Croix drops quickly after a rain. So, if you want to canoe or kayak anywhere between Gordon Dam and CCC; go within two days of a good steady rain or downpour.
Posted: July 19, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
 Without much rain lately, we wanted to know how the river was firsthand, so, Ranger Dan Ott and I piggy-backed between Hayward and Springbrook landings yesterday, in the heat, phew!Dan kayaked Hayward to Stinnett and I paddled Stinnett to Springbrook.
Dan reported scraping a bit in Hayward, but after the houses; the river deepens.He had a very relaxing paddle. It's always nice to find clean campsites, yay! He saw lots of belted kingfishers and
Posted: July 18, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Whoa! What a storm on July 1! Some people in the Danbury area still don't have power! Our maintenance crew did an amazing job! They were out clearing the road access to the river landings first thing the next morning. By 1pm Saturday all the Namekagon landings were open. As of today, all Namekagon landings are fully open and all Namekagon campsites are open and accessible. However, our maintenance crew cautions everyone to stay in the campsite areas. Trees stressed from
Posted: June 24, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Isn't it wonderful what a little (or a lot) of rain can do? You won't catch me complaining about the rain!
That means the Upper St. Croix from Gordon Dam to CCC is totally do-able right now; the Kettle River slough between Nelson and Soderbeck is accessible and Namekagon Dam to County M is fine for kayaks.
McDowell to Namekagon Trail/ Namekagon Trail to Riverside
Rangers Dan Ott and Seth Spencer piggybacked this section yesterday and the water levels were great! No scraping at the confluence, Yay! Dan talked to many happy canoers enjoying the river. It was the first time for two gentlemen who guide whitewater trips in Idaho.They canoed from Cty.K to Riverside and had a wonderful time. An experienced canoeist was nervous about trying a kayak for
Posted: June 19, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Upper stretches too low and rocky
Right now we're waiting for updated water level gauge readings, but it's definitely too low to do Namekagon Dam to County M on the Namekagon or the Upper St. Croix from Gordon Dam to CCC unless you like climbing over the rocks.
Whispering Pine to McDowell
No worries! Great water levels!
Namekagon Trail to Riverside
Ranger Seth Spencer reported the water levels were great on this stretch a little over a week ago. He saw lots of turtles.
Posted: May 31, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
 Everybody who braved the weather had a great time. With all the rain, the water levels are great! It's deep enough to go anywhere on the Riverway! But check the water levels before you go.
If you like wildflowers, look for birdfoot violets and hoary puccoon in the sunny, sandy barrens. In the shady woodlands, find trilliums, rue anemone and wild geraniums. Pink ladyslippers are just starting to bloom in the bogs.
Have fun and stay safe!
Posted: May 31, 2011 | posted by: admin-commonspot!
 In the last couple of weeks new and returning summer rangers have been exploring the Riverway in preparation for the season. Yay! Rangers from the Namekagon Visitor Center in Trego got together with rangers from Headquarters in St. Croix Falls. Together we kayaked, camped and bonded as a team over "pudgie pies" around the campfire. We kayaked from Gordon Dam to T on the upper St. Croix and experienced firsthand the "rocky roller coaster". Make sure you go left at Scott's bridge rapids! District ranger, Ranger Branda pronounced it her favorite
Posted: May 09, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
 Alyssa Nelson and Sean Williams, two law enforcement rangers, were out contacting fishermen (and women) in their new motorized kayak (for search and rescue) yesterday. Sean reported that the current at County K was very strong. He didn't think it was dangerous, but faster and higher than usual. This stretch is generally considered easy with no rapids, just a few rocks to avoid. It's a little wider here than on the upper Namekagon, so
Posted: May 03, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Enjoying our cold and wet spring? One advantage is all the moisture keeps the river levels high enough to do the upper reaches of the Namekagon and the St. Croix. Yay! So, if are very experienced, love rapids, high adventure and have the gear to stay warm and dry when you tip (notice, I don't say if); a roller coaster ride awaits. Be sure to bring extra dry clothes and a pump. Go on a sunny day. The sun makes a huge difference.
Our website says Nam Dam should be at least 1.5 minimum to navigate Nam Dam to County M landing. That's for skinny people. At 1.5, I was struggling over lots (lots!!!) of rocks, District Ranger Branda Thwaits just floated over. So, when I saw that Nam Dam was up to 1.8, I was anxious (although a little apprehensive) to try
Posted: April 21, 2011 | posted by: Jean Schaeppi!
Hi: I am Joan Jacobowski, a seasonal interpretive ranger, I will be writing many of the blogs you read here. We will be posting information about the river conditions. This information is subjective, please use caution when paddling the rivers. It is always a good idea to wear your life jacket, pack dry clothes, paddle with a buddy, and let someone know your trip plans. We will also include what we are seeing and doing and what we love about the river.
We'd love to hear back from you. There are some rules about commenting (no surprise), and your comments won't appear if they're
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