West Michigan Kayaking Club · Upper Peninsula River Guide
Menominee River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
River History
The name comes from an Ojibwe word for wild rice. The Menominee people, the only tribe in Wisconsin whose origin lies within the state, hold that they were created at the river mouth. Chippewa in the upper basin called it the Many Little Islands River, and French missionaries called it the Wild Oats River.
The region became an iron-mining center, and hydro dams built from the 1920s on (Chalk Hill 1926–27, White Rapids 1927–28) turned much of the river into reservoirs. Watershed concerns today include arsenic-laced sediment at Marinette and the proposed Back Forty open-pit mine within 150 feet of the river near Stephenson.
Interactive River Map
River Overview
The Menominee forms about 10 miles northwest of Iron Mountain where the Brule and Michigamme rivers meet, then runs about 116 miles along the Michigan–Wisconsin border to Green Bay between Menominee and Marinette. Its basin covers about 4,070 square miles.
Much of the river is a chain of reservoirs. The best paddling is the 17-mile undeveloped corridor of the Menominee River State Recreation Area, with its Piers Gorge, Quiver Falls and Pemene Falls units.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The Niagara gage is the reference for Piers Gorge (runnable about 800–3,000 cfs). The National Weather Service also reports flows below Kingsford Dam, at Big Quinnesec Falls Dam, McAllister, Vulcan and White Rapids Dam. Hydro releases can change levels quickly.
Paddling Character
- Big, powerful river averaging about 3,500 cfs.
- Long flat reservoirs, wide free-flowing reaches and serious rapids.
- Faithorn landing to Sturgeon Bend: about 6 calm miles with Quiver Falls (Class II) midway.
- State Recreation Area corridor rapids.
- Piers Gorge: Class II–IV big water, 2.7 miles from Niagara to US-8. Experts only.
Michigan Water Trails
Verify locally. Detailed Menominee Watershed Canoe Trail maps (river plus the Brule, Paint and Michigamme) are available through the Wisconsin DNR.
Dams & Portages
Upstream to downstream:
- Kingsford Dam (Kingsford / Iron Mountain)
- Big Quinnesec Falls Dam
- Little Quinnesec Falls Dam (Niagara, WI). Built portage trail and canoe launch.
- Piers Gorge: natural Class II–IV rapids including Sand Portage (4th Pier) and Misicot Falls (3rd Pier). Portage on the trail system unless you are an expert whitewater paddler.
- Sturgeon Falls Dam. Portage location: Verify locally.
- Quiver Falls: Class II rapid with a well-worn walk-around trail.
- Pemene Falls: MANDATORY portage on the Michigan side.
- Chalk Hill Dam: 58 river miles above the mouth, about 5 miles west of Banat.
- White Rapids Dam: about 2 miles below Chalk Hill.
- Grand Rapids Dam (near McAllister). The launch just below it is unpredictable in swift water; use the Hwy JJ / McAllister Bridge access 1.5 miles downstream.
- Menominee–Marinette dams (Park Mill, Menominee, and the Scott Flowage dam about 2.5 miles above Stephenson Island). Exact order: Verify locally.
Never run a dam.
Launches
- Faithorn landing, Hwy 577 near Faithorn, MI: ramp, vault toilet, overlook
- State Road ramp, Nathan, MI
- Quiver Falls: rustic canoe launches
- Saler Landing: concrete launch off Rattie Road (WI)
- Pemene landing: gravel, off Horseshoe Road (WI)
- Hwy JJ / McAllister Bridge (WI Cty JJ / MI Cty Rd 342): best launch below Grand Rapids Dam
- Menominee River Park, Porterfield, WI: no dock
- Burke Creek, Stephenson, MI: annual launch permit from City of Menominee Recreation Dept.
- Stephenson Island and 6th Street Slip, Marinette, WI
Camping
- Four reservable canoe-in sites on the Wisconsin shore, groups of 6 or fewer, with fire ring, benches and latrine, no drinking water: Stoney Hill, Grand Isle, Pemebonwon and Pemene Falls. Reserve online or 888-947-2757.
- No camping on any other Wisconsin islands. Most of Grand Island is a State Natural Area: no firewood gathering.
- Michigan side: Faithorn Township Campground; Sturgeon Bend Campground about 6 river miles below Faithorn.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to state park units.
Wildlife & Fishing
- World-class smallmouth bass fishery.
- Lake sturgeon are blocked by the lower dams; fish-passage projects target the Menominee, Park Mill, Grand Rapids, White Rapids and Chalk Hill dams.
Safety
- Dams and hydro releases change flow quickly.
- Piers Gorge and Pemene Falls are deadly for unprepared paddlers.
- Border river: Wisconsin rules apply on the Wisconsin shore and campsites.
- Nearest hospitals: Verify locally.
Best Time & Access
June to September for flatwater trips. Spring high water brings the biggest whitewater but very cold water.
Trip Planning
- Check the USGS gage
- Check the weather
- Leave a trip plan with someone
- PFD on
- Dry bag packed
- Shuttle set
- Cold-water gear ready
River Difficulty
- American Whitewater: Class II–IVPiers Gorge — Class II–IV
- Quiver Falls — Class II
- Pemene Falls — Class III–IV
Ratings rise at high water — check the USGS gage before paddling. American Whitewater
Quick Reference
- Length: ~116 mi
- Basin: Lake Michigan (Green Bay)
- Gage: USGS 04065106 at Niagara
- Mandatory portage: Pemene Falls (Michigan side)
- Best: June–September
Sources
Paddle It With the Club
Join West Michigan Kayaking Club members on the Menominee River.
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Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.