Bad Axe River

Note, for additional information on access points please see my overview map.

Main Branch/North Fork:

• Hwy B to Esofea County Park:  0.9 miles.  Small stream that would need very high water.  Attractive with many light rapids and steep hills.  Maybe one logjam.
• Esofea Park to Helgeson Road:  1.1 miles.  Very fast and rocky section with open banks.  Small and requires very high water to be runnable. 
• Helgeson Road to Hwy Y/Runge Hollow Dam:  3.0 miles.  Very tiny creek that runs through woods with perhaps a few logjams.  This would include Runge Hollow Lake which is nice and the dam can be portaged.  There is also a landing on the southeast side of the lake.
• Runge Hollow Dam to Springville Branch Confluence:  2.4 miles.  Small and narrow.  Maybe a few outcrops and 2-3 logjams.
  • Duck Egg Park to Springville Branch Confluence:  0.3 miles.  The Springville Branch is extremely small and fast.  I hit a lot of rocks here, but it was worth it as this is a good way to access the North Fork.
• Springville Branch Confluence to Hwy O:  3.5 miles.  River gains significant volume from the Springville Branch.  This is a great leg with countless rapids and scenic driftless vistas.
• Hwy O to Goede Lane:  4.5 miles.  Good prospect with more rapids, some pasture and what looks like a massive rice farm.  Deadfall finally starts to encroach on the creek here…maybe two logjams.  Goede Lane might not be the greatest access (see map for details).
• Goede Lane to Munyon Lane:  2.1 miles.  Maybe 6-7 logjams.  Mud banks start to grow in size.
• Munyon Lane to N. Ridge Road:  1.9 miles.  Very open and likely logjam free.
• N. Ridge Road to Hwy 56:  1.8 miles.  Maybe 4 logjams.
• Hwy 56 to Confluence of North and South Branches:  3.2 miles.  Maybe 5-6 logjams.
• North/South Confluence to Henry Lane:  0.8 miles.  River doubles in size after both branches join.  Banks become muddier and taller.  Maybe one logjam.
• Henry Lane to Amann Road:  1.6 miles.  Maybe 3 logjams.  A beat-up and messy section of woods.
• Amann Road to Mouth on Mississippi:  2.0 miles.  Messy section frequently back-filled by the Mississippi.  Maybe one logjam.  There is a nice public landing directly on the mouth of the river.

South Fork:

• Upstream Of Sidie Hollow Lake:  The South Fork splinters into a number of small creeks.  These are likely too narrow and shallow to paddle unless done during a very high water event.
• Sidie Hollow Lake:  The river is impounded by a large dam to create a lake.  This can be a pleasant paddle.  A launch is available on the east end.
• Lower Lake Road to Hwy NN^1st:  4.6 miles.  The river is here is very small and shallow…but open and scenic.  This might be a viable paddle during a high water event.
• Hwy NN^1st to Hwy N:  4.5 miles. 
  
  • Hwy NN^1st to Hwy NN^2nd:  1.7 miles.  A fast, narrow and shallow creek that is very scenic with many rapids.  However this stretch is likely too small for most paddlers to enjoy.  There are 3-4 logjams and a handful of strainers in this stretch…most of which are easy portages.
  • Hwy NN^2nd to Hwy N:  2.8 miles.  A terrific open stretch with many rapids.  There are a some strainers but these can be avoided with good boat control (or by simply portaging).
• Hwy N to Anderson Ridge Road:  2.1 miles.
  • Hwy N to S. Bad Axe Road:  1.5 miles.  A scenic stretch with many light rapids.   Mostly free of logjams, but there is a fence to portage (not difficult).
  • S. Bad Axe Road to Anderson Ridge Road:  0.6 miles.  A good stretch, but not as good as the prior two legs.
• Anderson Ridge Road to Oliver Road:  1.9 miles.  Maybe 1-2 logjams.  The river looks like it has been ditched somewhat by farmers.
• Oliver Road to Lockington Road:  1.0 mile.  Maybe one logjam and kind of muddy.  There appears to be significant flood damage along this corridor.
• Lockington Road to S. Bad Axe Road:  1.4 miles.  Very open section likely free of logjams, but muddy with tall banks.
• S. Bad Axe Road to North/South Confluence:  1.5 miles.  Maybe 3-4 logjams.