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River Log
for NW Lower Michigan

Last Update: 10-27-2007

 
   

 

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For all of you that like to explore rivers, here is a "river log" detailing most sections of the local rivers for northwestern Lower Michigan. Please let me know if you have anything to add, change, or suggest to the information below.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this document! (You know who you are.)

Notes:

  • Lengths are estimates.
  • Times are one-way, unless otherwise stated, do not include any stops, are only a rough estimate, and can change due to water depth/speed, how much you paddle vs. float, etc.
  • Maps are satellite photos on which road maps can be overlaid

RIVERS COVERED


Recommendations For Your Paddle Trip

BEAR RIVER

Near Petoskey, the Bear is a small, clear, slow-moving river, twelve miles overall and offers very peaceful canoeing or kayaking through pristine Petoskey wilderness, with a leisurely current and gentle turns ideal for beginners.

NOTE: The city of Petoskey had removed three of their dams, thus creating a mile stretch of class 3 whitewater. Many have been seriously injured and had their boats damaged, and nearly drowned, going down this part of the river. It is urged that no one go down that stretch of the Bear.

NOTE: This river offers excellent fishing. It's also likely a Salmon river. Thereofre, avoid the lower sections during the thick of Salmon season (most of September) to avoid conflicts and hook hazards with anglers.

For more information, contact: Bear River Canoe Livery, 2517 McDougall Road, Petoskey, 231-347-9038, or the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, 231-347-4150.
Walloon Lake to Lake Michigan 12 miles, not all usable Map I have no more information on this river at this time.
BETSIE RIVER

NOTE: Avoid the lower sections (Homestead Dam on down) during the thick of Salmon season (most of September) to avoid conflicts and hook hazards with anglers.
Section Length Time Map Comments
Green Lake to the
Grass Lake Dam		 4 miles? About
2 hours		 Map Start at the public launch on Green Lake (which is 1/2 mile north of the Betsie River Bridge on Betsie River Road (west side of Green Lake)), then you paddle south about 1/2 mile along the west shore the lake, enter the river, go under the bridge, and on down to the dam. Grass Lake Dam is in the Grass Lake campground off of Reynolds Road

During lower water, you can easily paddle upstream from the Grass Lake Dam to "somewhere near" Green Lake. (We've not done this all the way, yet.)
Grass Lake Dam: paddle upstream on Pickerel Creek to Twin Lakes   Round trip: 3.5 hours Map Pickerel Creek is slow enough it's easy to paddle upstream. Expect at least one beaver dam to go over or around. No development, nice and wild.
Grass Lake Dam to points down river...     Map
Wallin Road to King Road   2.5 to 3.5 hours Map Late in the season this section is fine. Late in the season this section can be trouble if the river is shallow -- the river is much slower and you can run aground often.
King Road to Gallagher/Wolf Road   1 hour ? Map
Gallagher/Wolf Road to Haze Road     Map  
Haze Road to Kurick   1.5 hours Map At Kurick Road there are four large culverts. The two on the right have rabble at the end. The left ones are OK. The far left one is biggest and best. Just keep your paddle parallel to the boat and the current takes you right through.
Note: there is not a good pullout / put-in spot at Kurick Road. The southwest corner is probably the best, even though it's very steep.
Kurick to Psutka   1.5 hours Map Note: there is not a good pullout / put-in spot at Kurick Road. The southwest corner is probably the best, even though it's very steep
Psutka to County Line   About an 1 hour? Map  
County Line to Old King   2 to 2.5 hours Map A little more challenging, as there are some obstacles to go around. Probably not for beginners.
County Line to Fred's Landing   3.5 hours Map  
Old King to Fred's Landing   1 hour Map  
Old King to Homestead Dam   2 hours Map  
Homestead Dam to River Road east bridge   2 hours Map  
River Road east bridge to River Road west bridge   1:75 to 2:25 hours Map The Crystal Outlet Creek is seen on this page, too
River Road west bridge to Elberta railroad tracks   2 hours Map The time shown is for floating (not much paddling) and with river high enough to get through at the end (NOT like 2000 and 2001). 2002 was OK in a kayak. Not a good trip on a windy day because of the open swamp at the end.
Other Betsie River entry/exit points:
Reynolds Road, Long Road, Carmean Road, Gallager and 3rd (Wolf??) in T'Ville, M115 in Benzonia?, Grace Road, Elberta Docks
BOARDMAN RIVER
Section Length Time Map Comments
Adventurous trip:

North Branch - Above the Upper Boardman: North Branch Bridge to Forks Campground		 About 2 miles 1:25 hours Map About 15 "climb-over" (or portage) log jams. Not for the faint of heart. Slightly smaller than Upper Boardman, but very wild and scenic.
Main trips:        
Upper: Brown Bridge Road at Forks Campground (just west of Supply Road) to Brown Bridge Dam   2.3 to 3 hours Map Like the Upper Platte and Betsie. Then last 1.5 miles is in the Brown Bridge Pond. Very few houses.
Subsection: Forks Campground to Shecks Campground   About 1.25 hours  
Middle: Brown Bridge Dam to Beitner Bridge   Just over 3 hours Map Easy paddling, perhaps like the lower Betsie or lower Platte. Lots of cottages.
Beitner Bridge to Sabin Dam Includes the Keystone Rapids (class 2), Keystone Pond, the Boardman dam at Cass Road, Sabin Pond, then Sabin Dam. Most of the trip appears to be in the two ponds. I don't have any other information on this section, as of yet.
Sabin Dam to Boardman Lake Around 4 miles round trip  

Map

Map 2

You can likely put in below the dam, but check this out, first.

You can also put in at the the park at Logan's Landing on the south end of Boardman Lake and paddle under Airport Road and upstream to the Dam, and then float back with the current. Even though you're paddling upstream for the first half of the trip, the river is clam and the current is gentle, so it's easily done. Nice and woodsy

At Airport Road by Logan's Landing, there are two river channels going under under the road, you can take either way. The east channel has one long tube going under the road, and afterwards has more dead stumps to deal with. The west channel goes in between the Panda North and Auntie Pasta restaurants, and the left "tube" there is the highest of all available (of either channel). The tubes in this channel also come as two shorter sections.

On the south of Airport Road at the river is an office complex, and the YWCA is just beyond it. You may may able to launch there, too.
Boardman Lake Area 1.5 miles from north to south end of Lake.  

Map


Map 2

If you're looking for a launch place on the east side of Boardman Lake, not too far from the south end, find the the old YMCA build (1100 Woodmere Ave., on the west side of the road). Behind the building, there's a little path in the grass leading down a hill to the bike trail. Supposedly one can gain access to the lake there from that trail (?)

You can put in at the park at Logan's Landing on the south end of the Lake.

You can also put in at the boat launch at the north end of the Lake (use the road that goes behind T. C. Library.).

On the south end, explore river going under Airport Road and up to Sabin Dam (see section above).

On the north end of the lake, (if it can all be done?), explore the river going north under a railroad bridge, Eighth Street, and Cass Ave. to the Union Street dam -- looks like abut 0.5 miles.

(Note, if you can portage the Union Street dam between Cass and Union, (or start at Hannah Park west of Union Street) and go through the weir that comes later, and get past the motor boats (summer weekends can be busy), you will be able to go out to Lake Michigan! Let me know if you know anything more about this.)

(Note, I'm told the Boardman is closed from Sept. 1st - October 31st from the Union St. Bridge downstream to the U.S. 31 bridge (just before Lake Michigan). (I assume this is for Salmon and the wier is likely closed.) The river remains open upstream from the Union St. Bridge to Sabin Dam all year round. The river upstream from Sabin Dam closes after Sept. 30th and the season up there is the last Saturday in April to September 30th.)
CRYSTAL RIVER
Section Length Time Map Comments
Fisher Road to "Tubes" at first bridge   1 hour Map Can be busy during weekends of "tourist" season. Tubes are usually possible using the left one if river is not way too high.
Fisher Road to Portage near the end   1.5 hours    
Fisher Road to Shell station on M-22   2.0 hours   Can be quite shallow near the end if river is low.
Shell station on M-22 to Lake Michigan.       I've not done this, but know some that have. You go through the Homestead property and cannot
pick-up there, but must paddle back a little ways to public access on Lake Michigan near Glen Arbor.
GREAT KAYAK CIRCLE ROUTE - Frankfort, Michigan, Lake Michigan, Betsie River, Crystal Lake, and Crystal Lake Outlet Stream   8 hours ? Map • Start at the Crystal View Coffee Shop on M-22, North of Frankfort, at the Southwest corner of Crystal Lake.
• Carry boat to Crystal Lake.
• Paddle East to the Crystal Lake Outlet.
• Paddle down Outlet Creek to the Betsie River.
• Paddle down the Betsie River to Betsie Bay.
• Paddle through the Frankfort Harbor past the USCG station to Lake Michigan.
• Paddle North from the Frankfort Lighthouse about 3 miles to the CSA beach.
• Carry boat overland about one mile back to the Crystal View Coffee Shop
• Repeat as needed.
JORDAN RIVER  
Section Length Time Map Comments
Adventurous trip:

Pinney Bridge to Graves Crossing Road bridge		 A little over 2 miles A little over 2 hours Map Very wild and beautiful. Lots and lots of treefall, which you have to climb over. Only fun if you don't mind getting out a lot and pulling your boat over a lot of logs, and through brush and trees, in sometimes difficult conditions.

Use Pinney Bridge Road, which is a gravel road 1.5 miles south of Graves Crossing Road. Take Pinney Bridge Road east about 1.8 miles to "intersection," where you will see the Pinney Bridge about 200 feet to the north.
Main trip:

Graves Crossing Road bridge to Rogers Road bridge		   2.5 to 3 hours Map

First hour is as fast or faster than the upper Platte, and wild flora the whole way (only 14 houses the whole trip). Rogers Road is just south of East Jordan about 1.5 miles. Graves Crossing Road is about 8.5 miles south of Rogers Road, using M-66 as shuttle road. Intermediate bridges are, going north (downstream): Old State Road and Webster Road, each about an hour apart

Note: If necessary, use one of the local boat liveries to help shuttle car. Two nearby are:

The quickest way there from Traverse City is is to take US-31 north out of the city, then M-72 east to Kalkaska, then M-131/M-66 north through Mancelona. Just outside Mancelona on the north side, M-66 splits off and heads straight north. It's about 7 miles to Pinney Bridge Road or 8.5 to miles Graves Crossing Road. Rogers Road is about 8.5 miles north of Graves Crossing Road.

LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER

NOTE: Avoid lower section during the thick of Salmon season (most of September) to avoid conflicts and hook hazards with anglers.
Section Length Time Map Comments
Bear Track Campground to Nine Mile Bridge Reported to be rather mellow.
Nine Mile Bridge to Six Mile Bridge Road   2.0 - 2.5 hours Map Likely the most challenging section on any river in NW lower Michigan. The water can be fast, the turns are many and tight, and there can be uncleared treefall just where you do not expect or want it. For advanced paddlers. If you like playing in class 2 water, know how to back ferry and do eddy turns, you'll do OK here.

Occasionally volunteers clear this river, and occasionally the water lever may be down/slower.
Six Mile Bridge Road to Old Stronach Road   2 hours Map Like the Upper Betsie. First section requires some intermedieate level skills. You get to go through, or portage around, the wier.
MANISTEE RIVER
Section Length Time Map Comments
Very Upper Portion:
C-38 east of Mancelona to Cameron Bridge Road		 5 hours Map It is possible, but with a lot of portages. This appears the be the earliest part of the Manistee one can do.

Go about 15 miles east of Mancelona on C-38, down a large hill, and look for a small shallow, unnamed stream that runs under the road through a culvert. Its less than a foot deep and about twelve feet wide.

Be prepared to portage around long jams. Be prepared for knee-deep muck.

As you work your way downstream, the river becomee a little wider and the log jams fewer. Expect some beaver dams that span the entire stream. (If you paddle really hard, hit each dam in just the right spot, you can slide up and over like a river otter on a snow bank.)

About an hour upstream of the take-out point at Cameron Bridge, the obstacles end and the paddling becomes considerably easier. At that point the river is still crystal clear with a sand bottom.

Take-out: NW corner of the bridge on Cameron Bridge Road.

Shuttle road: Road between put-in and take-out: Deward Road on the west side of the river.

(Thanks to John Heiam and Lois Goldstein for this information!)
Some of the main portions:

US-131 to Baxter Bridge		 21 river miles About 4 hours Map Looks like you use 10 Road on the south of river as the shuttle road. (I've not done this yet.)
Baxter Bridge (29.5/31 Road) to Harvey Bridge (17 Road) 27 to 30 river miles 5 hours   Take M-115 southeast to Crystal Mountain entrance, Lindy Road is across the street. Take Lindy Road east through Thompsonville. 4 miles east of T'Ville it jogs south and becomes County Line Road. 12 miles east of T'Ville is a stop sign at Wexford Center (intersection with CO 633). Go 2 miles straight east to 17 Road. Turn right (south) on 17 Road and go one mile to W 4 Road. From here, you can go:

- Just over 4 miles south to the Harvey Bridge to drop off car at ending spot. Park on south side of river, east side of road.

      = OR =

- East on 4 Road about 7 miles to 29.5 Road, then south 1.3 miles to the put-in-spot at Baxter Bridge. Park on north side of river, west side of road.
Baxter Bridge (29.5/31) to 23 Road 17 river miles 3 hours Map The "High Roll-Aways" are on this part. There is NO BRIDGE at 23 Road, and the only access to the river is from the south. So, the directions are different than the "Baxter Bridge to Harvey Bridge" trip mentioned above.

A GOOD Wexford County map helps. I think it's quicker for this trip to go through Mesick, then just east take M-37 north (a short bit) to M-42. Then take M-42 east...

Decide ahead of time if you want to drop off a car at 23 Road. You should drop it off now as you be going close to the pull out point at 23 Road

Directions from M-37/M-42 junction to 23 Road pullout point:
Go 5 miles east to 23 Road, then 3.75 miles north on 23 Road to river.

Directions from M-37/M-42 junction to Baxter Bridge (29.5/31) put-in-point:
Go 9 miles east to 31 road, then about 6.3 miles north on to river. (31 Road takes a jog near river and becomes 29.5 Road.)

Shuttle Road:
Use 12 Road going east off of 23 Road. This becomes Kolarvic, then 8 Road, and comes out on 31 Road. A GOOD Wexford County map helps. If confused, use 14 Road (gravel) for shuttle road.

NOTE: At 23 Road pullout point -- Hang a red (or bright colored) scarf, shirt, flag or whatever on trees/bushes to help mark the spot. Be sure to warn anyone in the lead to watch for the flag. Park a car close to the river as an indicator, too.
Harvey Bridge (17) to Glengarry Bridge 15 river miles 3 hours Map Glengarry Bridge is in Glengarry, about 1.5 miles north of Mesick.
Hodenpyl Dam (near Mesick) to Red Bridge (Coates Highway) 20 river miles 3.5 hours Map Wide, but "a little faster." Can have a few nice riffles. Take 115 to Marilla Road (which is 2.5 miles east of the Amoco on the east side of Copemish). Go 5.5 miles south on Marilla Road to Beers Road, the east 2.8 miles to gravel road (see sign for Hodenpyl Dam and Consumer Energy at bottom of the hill), then south a short distance to the dam.

Shuttle Road:
Red Bridge in on Coates Highway... take Beers Road west to Marilla Road, south to Coates Highway, then east to Red Bridge. Better yet, if possible, take the Upper River gravel road, which is shorter distance, pretty, and fun.
OTTER CREEK AREA Map "If you try to start at Otter Lake, the outlet is for all practical purposes impassable. There is a wide clay/sand sand bar coupled with a wire fence and the accumulated dead wood buildup. It possibly could be portaged but would be messy. The sand bar looked to be partially clay and I felt that it wouldn't support a person."

"The only ingress is from the side road at the Esch Road beach. The water fowl and animal life are good as very few people paddle up the creek. You could get all the way upstream just up to Otter lake, except for the fence and sand bar."

South of Otter Lake are Bass Lake and Deer Lake, small connected lakes, one can paddle around them both in about an hour.
PINE RIVER
Section Length Time Map Comments
Carl's Canoe Livery / Silver Creek Campground (Hoxeyville Road??) to M-37 (Peterson Bridge)   2-3 hours? Map Faster and deeper than the Upper Platte. Requires prior registration before doing river during main part of the "summer season."
Past M-37 (Peterson Bridge) to....??? Where a dam used to be but is now more, this is a faster section, and has some rapids known as "Pinball Rapids" or "Jaws of Death."
PLATTE RIVER

NOTE: Avoid lower sections of the Lower Platte during the thick of Salmon season (most of September) to avoid conflicts and hook hazards with anglers.
Section Length Time Map Comments
Above Fish Hatchery     Map Not a lot known, other than 1) may not be allowed near Fish Hatchery, and 2) may not be passable.
Upper: US-31 bridge (near Fish Hatchery) to South Street bridge   1.5 hours Map  
Upper: US-31 bridge (near Fish Hatchery) to Indian Hill bridge   2 hours    
Upper: US-31 bridge (near Fish Hatchery) to Deadstream Road   2.5 hours    
Up the Deadstream into Little Platte Lake     Map Beautiful but very short. In spring, pitcher plants here and there on the east side.

Look for two creeks coming in from the right...go up them if the water is high. Interesting places but, they are dead ends. The southern (first one) is a combined feeder of many smaller creeks in the "swamp" to the east. The northern (second one) is the North Branch of the Platte River coming in.

There are many swans on the northeast area of the lake, be aware of them. See if you can see the eagle's nest, and maybe the eagle, in the northeast area of the lake (on your right as you enter the lake from the Deadstream).
Lower: M-22 bridge near Riverside Canoe Livery to Lake Michigan, 2 hours   2 hours Map Pretty slow and easy - maybe the easiest river around.
Lower: From Loon Lake to Lake Michigan   1.5 hours Map Pretty slow and easy - maybe the easiest river around.
SHALDA (or SUCKER) CREEK
Little Traverse Lake to Lake Michigan About 3.5 miles total   Map Not really a do-able trip but here are notes from those that DID do it, once...

Leave car at park at Lake Michigan beach (nice beach there with outhouse facility) then you can walk back to beginning of the outlet creek.

About 2.5 miles of river from Little Traverse Lake to Lake Michigan and then about a mile paddle back to park at Lake Michigan beach.

The first mile of is pretty nice, it appeared someone had chain sawed and removed all obstructions down to an old beaver dam with 3 large beaver houses.

Beyond that point, obstructions became increasingly unbelievable. With windfalls of up to 20' tall and nearly continuous, we dragged our boats over a mile through brush, windfalls, woods, briar patches, muck until we returned to the stream about 0.3 mile from Lake Michigan. At this point it was easier to drag the boats in the stream than through the brush (windfalls thinned out near end).
UPPER HERRING LAKE
Section Length Time Map Comments
Upper Herring Lake Inlet     Map You can paddle up in kayaks about a 1 mile from Upper Herring Lake. It would be almost impossible for any but the tiniest of canoes. Appears to have no feeder stream easily accessible to start from to go DOWN the inlet.
Upper Herring Lake Outlet: From public launch to M-22 bridge   40 minutes Map Watch for small pond on north side about 1/2 way down.
Upper Herring Lake Outlet: M-22 bridge to Lower Herring Lake       Not possible: too many logs down, a foot bridge or two, shallow water, etc. Can probably be walked from Beuna Road. Can certainly be walked from Elberta Beach Resort Road to Lower Herring Lake

Recommendations For Your Paddle Trip:

  • General:
    • Avoid lower sections of certain rivers, like the Betsie, Little Manistee, and Lower Platte, during the thick of Salmon season (most of September) to avoid conflicts and hook hazards with anglers.
    • In the spring, rivers are generally higher and faster, and may have uncut treefall left from the winter.
    • Late in the summer and before fall rains, rivers are generally lower and slower, and smaller ones may be a "sandbar tour."

  • Leader(s) of the group:
    • Teach these recommendations to all on your trip.
    • Know the condition of and challenges on the river you're about to do.
    • Make sure all going are able to handle the condition of and challenges on the river, or ready to learn.
    • Know if anyone in your group cannot swim, and let everyone know should a rescue be needed.
    • Bring along:
      • rescue and emergency equipment,
      • rope, lighter, waterproof matches, duck tape, cellphone, first aid kit, knife, whistle,
      • consider: map, compass, GPS, binoculars, watch
      • whatever may be needed related to stings, bugs bites, poison ivy, ticks, snake bites, swelling, etc.
      • spare paddle,
      • spare clothes to share in a dry bag
    • Create a plan -- for any expected meals, breaks, pull-out points, way through any forks, around islands, etc. -- and make sure all are aware of it before entering the water.
    • Make sure all drivers have their keys when the leave their cars.

  • Everyone in the group should:
    • Stick to the plan created by the leader(s).
    • Let someone know if you choose to take an alternate channel or way around an island.
    • See personal gear suggestions below.
    • Be able to handle the condition of and challenges on the river, or ready to learn.
    • Never paddle alone, but always with at least one other boater.
    • Let your leader know if you cannot swim.
    • Be aware of these (and other) basic paddling tips.
    • Keep a bit of distance between boats to allow each person to navigate through a tricky spot without being struck by a boat from behind.
    • Know how to back up:
      • This sometimes the only way out of a tricky spot. Just back up and try a different approach.
      • In case the boat(s) in front of you get hung up so you can avoid them.

  • The person in the front of the group has to:
    • Know when and where to stop for a meal or a break (assuming that's the plan)
    • Stop every so often to make sure all are present and OK
    • Know where to stop at the end.
    • Not get too far out ahead
    • Scout for challenging spots and alert the rest of the group as needed.

  • Those people in second and third place positions:
    • Need to keep track of who's in the lead.

  • Those at the the rear:
    • Must know there must never be ONE person in the rear of the group, but always TWO, each keeping track of the other, in case one gets hung up.
    • Have the obligation of being the sweep boat, watching for other boaters on the trip, and making sure one person does not fall behind and become a SINGLE rear boat.

  • Keep the group together:
    • Think of a group like a rubber band, one that can stretch out quite a ways, and yet remains one whole entity, never completely breaking into separate groups, unless that's planned for or known in advance.
    • Keep the group relatively compact, yet maintain sufficient spacing to avoid collisions. If the group is large, consider dividing into smaller groups or using the "Buddy System" as an additional safeguard. Space yourselves closely enough to permit good communication, but not so close as to interfere with one another in challenging spots.
    • Know how many people are in your group and take head counts regularly.

  • Personal gear suggestions:
    • Life jacket or vest (required to be on board for each person)
    • Let your leader know if you can swim or not.
    • Wide brim hat or baseball cap for the sun, and for going through brush. Use a hat strap if you value your hat.
    • Good rain gear.
    • Footwear that is comfortable both when dry and completely wet, and can handle sharp rocks, fallen trees, broken glass, etc.
    • Appropriate clothing should you tip over, get wet, get cold, etc..
    • Replacement clothing in a dry bag should you tip over or get wet.
    • Sunglasses -- to help protect the eyes from glare off the river surfaces.
    • If you wear glasses, tie them on with a glasses strap and carry a spare pair on long trips.
    • Do not wear bulky jackets, ponchos, heavy boots, or anything else which could reduce your ability to survive a swim.
    • Bug repellant.
    • Sun block. Reapply as needed such as on a longer trip or after any swim.
    • Anything required for outdoor restroom stops.
    • Drinking water, or equivalent
    • Food, fruit, snacks
    • Any camera or cell phones should protected it in a waterproof container.
    • It's safest to take your wallet with you – just be sure it is well protected from getting wet or lost if you tip over.
    • Whatever may be needed for you related to bees, bugs bites, poison ivy, ticks, snake bites, swelling, etc.
    • Rescue and Emergency gear
    • Consider: rope, lighter, knife, whistle, duck tape, first aid kit, waterproof matches.
    • Cell phone in a dry bag.
    • Spare car keys if they are a driver on the trip.
    • Method(s) for bailing water: towel, sponge, hand pump, etc.
    • Seat pads, cushions, etc.
    • Spray skirt
    • Flashlight for night trips.
    • Other gear to block water, sun, cold, or heat.
    • Make sure all gear is protected from getting wet or lost if you tip over.

  • Some basic paddling tips:
    • Never paddle alone, but always with at least one other boater.
    • Be able to handle the condition of and challenges on the river, or ready to learn.
    • Always prepare for the possibility of taking on water and/or dunking. This involves things such as:
      • Dress appropriately (no cotton).
      • Bring along a change of clothes in a dry bag.
      • Put loose gear in storage compartments so it cannot float away.
      • Make sure all gear is protected from getting wet or lost if you tip over.
    • Adjust your foot braces so that with your feet and legs in a comfortable position, your knees or thighs can be snuggly "locked" in place against the side, cockpit. or thigh/knee braces of the boat. This gives you great control of the boat in challenging situations and in a tipping situations, which then allow you to, with a quick snap of the hips, balance the boat.
    • Steer away and maintain maximum clearance from strainers (trees, logjams, shrubs, & debris). In a lot of cases, the current wants pull you into this kind of stuff. You want to be moved out of the way LONG BEFORE you get to the obstacle. The longer you wait, the harder it is sot get out of the way. And the faster the current, the quicker you have to react.
    • Avoid if at all possible, hitting anything with your boat sideways to the current. There you are most vulnerable to the current, taking on water, and completely tipping over.
    • Do not grab on to branches/brush above the water in trying to avoid them or you can be drawn out of your boat, flip, or both. This is especially true if your boat is sideways to the current -- that's usually a guaranteed flip!
    • Keep a bit of distance between boats to allow each person to navigate through a tricky spot without being struck by a boat from behind.
    • Know how to back up:
      • This sometimes the only way out of a tricky spot. Just back up and try a different approach.
      • In case the boat(s) in front of you get hung up so you can avoid them.
    • A common mistake is to be travelling along near the shore and be surprised by a tree in the water sticking out perpendicular to the shore. Now you have to move of the way quickly or risk being turned sideways to the current, hitting the tree, losing your balance, and very likely tipping. Once tipped, the current will quickly help tip you further and make all the way over. If the current is strong and flows under the tree, it can take your boat UNDER the tree. You might get pulled out of your boat, or, worse, being drawn under the tree, too. So again, one of most important tips is to steer away and maintain maximum clearance from all strainers (trees, logjams, shrubs, & debris).
    • Again, it all comes back to -- avoiding obstacles.
    • If you do encounter an obstacle:
      • Avoid grabbing branches from above unless you WANT to leave your boat. This is especially true if your boat is sideways to the current.
      • If you start to tip, immediately try to untip. A quick snap of the hips, and aided with the paddle, might do the job.
      • If you cannot recover from a tip, and your boat is tipping over for sure:
        1. Call out NOW and loudly, "Help, Help!" This is extremely important so all around you KNOW what's happening and can come help.
        2. Get out of the boat NOW. (You do NOT want to tip or go under with our boat. Save yourself first in this case, then deal with boat.)
        3. Once out of the boat, and are in a good position to do so, attempt to rescue the boat.
        4. Look for and obtain your paddle, then other loose stuff.
        5. Let others know how they can help
    • Consider practice tip overs! These are ones where you intentionally hit something and tip over, in shallow water and with others right there to help, to learn all you can from the experience. It will make all the difference when you are in an unexpected tip over.

  • Here are site with many more tips, recommendations, and related information:
  • Some recommended books...
    • Paddling Michigan by Kevin Hillstrom and Laurie Hillstrom. (Available at Amazon.)

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