Start your journey … The Root River runs approximately 18 Miles (as drawn on my map) through Racine County and then into Lake Michigan. Once you get to the point where the speed of the current surpasses your paddling capacity (or you just get tired), you turn around and enjoy a fast ride back to the launch. Welcome! The headwaters begin in west cen… There is a map of the Root River Pathway available at the City of Racine Website. The Root River & Harmony-Preston Valley state bike trail system combine to create over 60 miles of paved, DNR-maintained trail. Title Root River State Water Trail map Author Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails Subject Root River State Water Trail map Keywords Root River State Water Trail map Created Date 11/29/2016 The 4-mile section above Horlick Dam and the last mile or so before emptying into Lake Michigan are the only sections that you can assume can be paddled almost anytime (they are not dramatically impacted by changes in water levels). In addition, I have included a separate map image (further down this page) that is an enlarged version of the popular section from 5 Mile Road to the developed canoe launch above Horlick Dam. South Branch of the Root River, Minnesota The South Branch of the Root River is one of Minnesota's better trout streams. About a half mile below the steelhead facility, the channel splits creating a large island (Island Park). Root River Access Sites L eg nd t ae Highw y R ot ive rlc ads L oc al r ds Rot ive rpa ks The data shown on this map have been obtained from various sources, … It's a bit of a funky intersection so watch closely for the side road heading down towards the river. The "R's" on my map are in spots where I experienced short faster slightly choppy sections at high water. During this time, the banks and some sections of the river itself can be very crowded with fisherman. The Root River runs approximately 18 Miles (as drawn on my map) through Racine County and then into Lake Michigan. 2020-2021 Root River Council Photo Contest - Details here Interactive map of the Root River Pathway and the story of Jens Jensen. Formed of two branches in the west, the North and the Middle, the Root River Thank you to all Volunteers participating in the Root River bank clean ups on October 3rd and 17th! Also, this section of the river is restricted to electric motors only, so you won't be dodging motorboats and personal watercraft here. There was another similar section of downed trees and debris about a half mile west of Nicholson Road. (Map powered by Google). Though I only occasionally paddle here, I have assembled some notes on water levels. The Steelhead Facility Dam (see photo on right) just below this put-in requires a portage, so if you plan on paddling downriver you're actually better off just putting in a little further downriver. The section of river between this put-in and the steelhead facility is also tricky to catch the right water levels. Further upriver the current is not quite as fast though you will still find some swift sections at high water. Trail map of the Root River Pathway from MRK Trail at Layard Ave. to Washington Ave. . Take a right on Spring Street and then travel about 2 blocks to the entrance of Lincoln Park. River Bend Boat Launch 1 mile 1.5 miles 2 miles HWY 31 Bridge 2.14 miles 0.5 miles 1 mile Horlick Dam 1.3 miles The Root River 0.5 miles [Distances are calculated from launch at River Bend.] South Branch Root River is a stream in Minnesota and has an elevation of 801 feet. There the river straightens as the valley broadens considerably. At normal water levels, the 3.3-mile stretch between Highway 31 and Horlick Dam has virtually no noticeable current making for some easy paddling upriver. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Formed of two branches in the west, the North and Middle, the Root River winds past towering bluffs topped with oak and hickory. I believe this is public land, so maybe they will eventually put in a developed launch there. The reality is, if there were any serious obstacles in any of the fast moving sections, you probably would not have gotten past them going upriver anyway. Do more with Bing Maps. Heading down river through this section at normal water levels is very easy though you may bump a few boulders or occasionally get hung up on shallow rocky sections. Map multiple locations, get transit/walking/driving directions, view live traffic conditions, plan trips, view satellite, aerial and street side imagery. Marie, Ontario Below this text you can see the position of the Root River Trailer Park on the Sault Ste. The last mile is lined with boat slips and has no noticeable current. This stretch of the river has some faster sections with small rapids similar to the section between 4 Mile Road and Highway 31 but not quite as fast at high water. Root River is a very enjoyable, relaxing, memorable ride and worth checking out. At high water levels you can still paddle upriver, but you may have to put a little effort into getting by some of the faster sections. You could optionally put-in or take out just a little further upriver in Colonial Park off of West High Street. I didn't go much further than this upriver, but the trend seemed to be more frequent downed trees and jambs. At high water levels, paddling upriver through this section becomes increasingly more difficult. The put-in above Horlick Dam is a developed boat ramp that makes for a very easy launch. There is no developed launch area here but there is plenty of river access in the park. At normal to low levels there are some shallow rocky sections, while at high levels there are a several pedestrian bridges (not shown on my map) and other obstacles that can be potentially hazardous. The section between the lake and Highway 31 will start to develop stronger currents as the water levels rise. If paddling below Horlick Dam, you can check water levels at the Racine Gauging station: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv/?site_no=04087240&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060. When the two channels merge back together, the river widens significantly but is still rather shallow. Root River is a stream located just .6 miles from Racine, in Racine County, in the state of Wisconsin, United States. From Mapcarta, the free map. There is also a kind of undeveloped mudhole of a dirt road that comes off of Nicholson Road southwest of the bridge that would make for a good put-in spot but there is a "no motorized vehicles" sign there. The time I paddled this section there was a rather significant accumulation here that took some doing to work my way through. These significant changes in water levels also provide for some significant changes in characteristics of the river. I've only paddled above 5 Mile Road once and that was at high water (between 5 and 6 feet at the Franklin gauging station) so I'm guessing a little as to how it would be at normal levels. I think at levels of 6 feet or below, you can generally expect it to be open, and at levels above 8 or 9 feet it will likely be closed, but at those levels between 6 and 8 feet ??? I've paddled about 5 miles upriver from the county park at 5 Mile Road (this brought me to a little less than a mile past Nicholson Road). . At levels below 2 feet, some of these sections may require a little walking. Most of the river is suitable for quiet-water paddling under the right conditions, however, water levels can make a huge difference on this river and at least one section (the section below the dam at high water) is not suitable for quiet-water boats. The first mile upriver from the dam is essentially a long lake; there are quite a few houses on this section, but most are set back in the woods on high banks and are not as obtrusive as you might expect. This is used as a takeout for whitewater paddlers or can be used as a put-in if you want to try paddling upriver here. The Root River provides a diverse set of paddling conditions as it winds its way through Racine County to Lake Michigan. Joined above the town of Whalen by the South Branch, a tributary which flows from Mystery Cave, the river continues its way past bluffs and outcrops until Rushford. If you need fishing tackle, or are looking for a fishing guide or fishing charter please visit Tackle, Guides, Charters The bank can be up to 3 or 4 feet above the water at normal water levels (less at high water). The river gradually deepens over the next mile or so and basically turns into a long harbor. Once again, it can be tricky finding the right water levels for paddling this section upriver. The gentle to moderate flowing river drops an average of 3.4 ft/mile from Chatfield, Minnesota, to its pour point in the Mississippi River into Navigation Pool 7 just south of La Crosse, Wisconsin. To find Root River enter the 42.733631 latitude, and -87.778404 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone. There is also a park (Charles A. Armstrong Park) on the west bank a little over a mile upriver from the main landing that would make for a nice put-in, however this is a private park for the employees of SC Johnson so it's off limits to the rest of us. The DNR lacks interest in removing dangerous debris. Another route would take you south on Hwy 38 (see the second map) to Spring Street. The park has plenty of space to roam, along with a restroom, picnic tables, and fire pits located near … Gone are the good old days when the Root River was a lazy tube filled with relaxation and fun. Depending upon water levels and sections paddled you can get everything from quiet lake paddling to fast rapids in an environment that ranges from scenic rural woodlands to urban parks and industrial areas. This page has been accessed 26,016 times. In fact, under the right conditions (rare very high water levels) this short section (less than a half mile) turns into some serious whitewater. Normal levels for the river are generally around 2.0 feet (at the Franklin Gauging Station). There is a small county park on 5 Mile Road where you can launch or take out. If you're interested in paddling the sections from Colonial Park through Island Park I suggest you take a walk or bike ride along the Root River Pathway first to check out the conditions. Waterfowl Area Quarry Lake Park The R 's on the map represent short very easy sections of rapids/riffles (technically they are all riffles, but in this part of the country we set the bar rather low for rapids). Note: The developed launch above Horlick Dam is occasionally closed due to high water conditions. The map also shows the parks along the river. The river lies within Minnesota's Driftless Area, a region which missed being glaciated during the last ice age, i.e., the Wisconsinian glaciation. It is an excellent river for canoeing . You may be able to paddle this section in a quiet-water canoe or kayak at the right water levels, but catching the right water levels is a challenge in itself. I mainly paddle the northern sections (above Horlick Dam) so I use the gauging station near Franklin, WI for my water level references. At higher water levels, the section immediately below the dam is too rough (see 2nd photo above)for the touring canoes and kayaks that are generally used to paddle the quiet-water areas above the dam. The section immediately below Horlick Dam is generally too shallow to paddle at normal water levels, but becomes fast whitewater at high water levels (not suitable for quiet-water canoes and kayaks). Deflected Jets is a public artwork by American artist Guido Peter Brink located on the Fire Engine Company #29 grounds, which is at 3529 South 84th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States. Most of the time (normal water levels), the section immediately below the dam is too shallow to paddle. At normal water levels, the section between Highway 31 and 4 Mile Road will have several small sets of rapids/riffles separated by slow moving pools. Map and Addresses | Root River Antique Historical Power ... ... Navigation The parking area is just north of Highway 38 off of Rapids Drive and North Green Bay Road. Unfortunately, the river has changed and not for the better. Since you've already paddled upriver, you essentially already scouted out the fast sections for jambs or other obstacles so you really fly. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including walleye, carp and smallmouth bass here. City of Racine Website Map of Root River Pathway (bike trail) available for download. At these same levels, sections that had little to no current at low levels can have currents ranging from 2-5 mph (possibly even faster at very high water levels). Map Explore Plan History Help Sign Up Log In Give the gift of adventure. This is especially true in the fall when the salmon are running. Root River Parkway is situated west of Greenfield. I don't believe there is an easy portage around Horlick Dam (see photo above), but even if there were I'm not sure it would get a lot of use. This page is authored and maintained by Dave Piasecki, Overview of All Routes and General Information, 5 Mile Road to developed landing above Horlick Dam - 7.50 Miles, High Resolution PDF version of Root River Overview Map, http://trailville.com/w/index.php?title=WI_Racine_Root_River&oldid=2770. There is a potential put-in spot at County Line Road just east of Nicholson Road. This map is also available for download as a High Resolution PDF version of Root River Overview Map. The riverbank along the park is the outside of a curve in a prairie section of the river and subsequently is characterized by a short steep drop-off at the river bank (erosion bank). It's a bit unusual to start with a route in the middle of a river, but this is the most popular section of the river for paddlers. The Root River flows for 80 miles (130 km) through the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota and is a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River. The 3.1-mile section between Highway 31 and 4 Mile Road becomes faster because of sections of narrower channel and shallower rocky bottom sections. Root River is an English…. Office locator map Media inquiries Careers Mission statement Social media Volunteering More » Home Destinations Wildlife management areas (WMA) Page Menu Root River WMA: Main Unit Questions? The Root River State Trail in southeast Minnesota is a paved, 42-mile bike route through one of the state's most beautiful and unique landscapes: the Driftless Region. Root River Trailer Park in Sault Ste. However, if you are just paddling downriver at high water levels, an unexpected downed tree, low hanging branch, or log jamb in a fast section can become a real hazard here. The 1.1-mile section between 4-Mile Road and 5-Mile Road is easier with less current and fewer obstacles. You can scout out this section of the river from some trails in Quarry Lake Park. It's important to catch the right water levels when paddling certain sections of the Root River. Click to follow to the pictures of the events. There is a string of city parks located along this section of the river and you can scout out a variety of places to put in. Root River, Wisconsin Racine county, Horlick Dam to Quarry Park section road map. Since I don't normally paddle below the dam, I don't have any reference levels for this gauging station. You can check current water levels at the Franklin station through the following link: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv/?site_no=04087220&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060. When they close it, they close all access to that area (both parking areas and the launch). There is still plenty more quiet-water paddling further downriver, although it's pretty much all urban paddling. Not exactly a paddlers dream. I've never paddled this last section because I don't particularly like urban or harbor paddling. If you're having problems putting in here, there is a small wooded area at the north end of the park with a short path that leads to a small bay that may be an easier put-in but a longer carry. I didn't put-in here, but I got out here and scouted around a bit. The stretch marked "RAPIDS" is the only section of real whitewater (and only at higher water levels). The Root River is a 43.7-mile-long (70.3 km) river that flows to Lake Michigan at the city of Racine in southeastern Wisconsin in the United States. There is another developed put-in in a small city park (I believe the sign by the park says Clayton Park, but it's listed as Cedar Bend Park on one of the Racine Maps) a little less than 2 miles downriver from the Steelhead Facility. South Branch Root River is situated west of Whalan. If you're interested in doing some whitewater kayaking here I suggest you check out the following web sites where you can get stream flow recommendations and see some pictures most people from this area would not believe were taken in Racine. The Root River maintains a timelessness as it represents some of the finest scenic and historic qualities which characterize southeastern Minnesota. The river runs right along County Line Road briefly and there is a small section of wider shoulder just west of the curve in the road where you should be able to park and access the river. Root River Post Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on W Oklahoma Ave. Operating hours, phone number, services information, and other locations near you. The Root River flows for 80 miles (130 km) through the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota and is a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River. Root River Park is the perfect spot to have a family picnic. It can get flooded at times, but it's not very often, but watch out for mud if you decide to go after some rain. At higher levels (4 to 7 feet) the rocky areas that made up the short easy rapids/riffles are often completely submerged and become faster moving sections with slightly choppy water. Be aware that the river below Horlick Dam (from Horlick Dam all the way to Lake Michigan) is popular with fisherman. 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