We have many rivers and lakes in the Central Wisconsin area. Each is unique due to the glaciation of the area. Portage County is divided by a moraine dotted with kettle lakes. On the east edge the rivers flow to the Great Lake watershed. To the west all of the rivers flow to the Wisconsin River and on to the Mississippi River. The connection to the river systems is about half a mile.
THE PLOVER RIVER - Known by early fur-traders and natives as the "River of Flags" and got its name from the blue flag iris that grew along the river banks. Look closer to the river bottom and you will see "gold flecks" of fool's gold. The area is also known as the golden sands region.
This river has many canoeing sections. Section I, begins in Marathon County as a trout stream but changes south of the county line near Andersen Dam.(2.5-3.5 hrs) The section II, is off Cty Y on Bentley Rd. to Cty K (.5hrs) then from Cty K to the Jordan Park Dam. This section has one tree blocking it. Several large boulders prepare you for the rapids at the Christen Dam (removed). At the dam you could go through it but steer left or you will get stuck on the bedrock. You could take it out and walk around. Pass under a bridge before you enter Jordan Pond.(2.5-3.0 + .5hrs) total.
Stop at Jordan Nature Center (A 100 year old school house) filled with local animal exhibits and open on the weekends during the summer months. Tours are also offered at the 130 year old historic diversion dam at Jordan. Call the Portage County Parks Dept. 715-346-1433 or
715-345-0520 Jordan Park.
Nature Treks is located in Iverson Park on the southern end of the Plover River. This section begins at the southern edge of the Canadian Shield at Jordan County Park Dam and ends in Iverson Park. It is sandy, and has many tree obstacles mostly on the edges creating great habitat for the threatened wood turtle and many other species you will see.(2.5-3.5 hrs)
NO ONE IS REQUIRED TO CLEAR THE RIVER AND THIS IS A VOLUNTEER EFFORT! Each spring members of the the Bill Cook chapter of the Izaak Walton League risk life and limb to clear the center of this river section to create a canoe path. Last cleared 5/08. Thank you guys!!!
The third section of the river begins at Iverson Park and travels south becoming Mc Dill Dam before it empties into the Wisconsin River.(1-1.5hrs)this is a great short trip for the beginner or those who have small children who don't like to sit long. Little to no trouble except wind.
For the best outdoor recreational maps of Portage County visit the Portage County Parks web page below.
www.co.portage.wi.uswww.wisconsinrivers.orgwww.wausauwhitewater.orgwww.iceagetrail.orgwww.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parkswww.goldensandsrcd.orgwww.IWLA.ORG
|
