| Return to the "Put-in" (Home page) | Format of descriptions | Disclaimers |
| RIVER: | Prairie River |
| LOCATION: | 8 miles N.E. of Merrill |
| PUT-IN: | Wayside parking area where Hwy.17 crosses the river. |
| ALT.PUT-IN: | Carry down at Prarie Dells park. |
| TAKE-OUT: | ? (Shady Lane, Gravel Pits, or County C) |
| ALT.TAKE-OUT: | Carry up at Prarie Dells park. |
| SHUTTLE: | Highway 17 (and possible mentioned roads as take-out access). |
| DIST: | 0.3 - 5.5 miles |
| TIME: | PnP - 2.0 hours |
| CLASS: | II-III |
| CHARACTER: | A deep gorge with rocky outcroppings. |
| GAUGE: | U.S.G.S. min=230, opt=?, max=? |
| SEASON: | Spring/rains. |
| ANALYSIS: | Min.=35 cfs; 90%=76 cfs; 10%=348 cfs; Max.=4,200 cfs; 10/90=4.6
> 250 cfs = 58 days/yr, 30/30yrs > 500 cfs = 19 days/yr, 29/30yrs > 750 cfs = 8 days/yr, 26/30yrs > 1,000 cfs = 4 days/yr, 23/30yrs > 1,500 cfs = 1 day/yr, 13/30yrs > 2,000 cfs = 0 days/yr, 4/30yrs |
| Removal of a dam here a few years back has allowed the river to wash down through accumulated siltation to the original streambed. As a result, rocky rapids swirl between increasingly high, steep dirt banks. (These could be subject to further slides, though vegetation is increasingly stabilizing the area.) Above the silt beds, rocky outcroppings line the dells. |