Watersmeet to FR 5250
Riffles and boulder gardens
About 16 miles, mostly Class I-II with ledges, a wild rice bed and Mex-i-min-e Falls.
Upper Peninsula River Guide / Watersmeet to Bond Falls and Agate Falls
Middle Branch Ontonagon River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A beautiful Ottawa National Forest river that runs from Watersmeet past Burned Dam and Mex-i-min-e Falls to the Bond Falls Flowage, then drops over Bond Falls and runs on to Agate Falls. Its reaches mix easy riffles, wild rice beds, boulder gardens and a couple of serious drops.
RegionWestern Upper Peninsula, Ottawa National Forest
CountiesGogebic, Ontonagon
WatershedOntonagon River
Great Lake BasinLake Superior
River LengthWatersmeet to Agate Falls and beyond
PaddleableThree reaches between Watersmeet and Hwy. 28
Best SeasonLate spring to early summer
MouthOntonagon River, then Lake Superior
Before you launch: falls you must not run
- Bond Falls: the main falls crash onto shallow rock. Carry around it.
- Agate Falls: a 40-plus-foot drop about a third of a mile below the Hwy. 28 take-out. Take out before the bridge area.
- Mex-i-min-e Falls: Class III or IV depending on flow. One hole has pinned paddlers. Scout or portage.
- Wood: logjams and beaver dams are common, especially below Bond Falls.
River History
The Ontonagon River system drains a huge part of the western UP to Lake Superior, and its branches have long been travel and fishing routes. The forests along the Middle Branch were logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s and are now part of the Ottawa National Forest.
Bond Falls is now a popular scenic site with a boardwalk, and a hydro diversion sends part of the Middle Branch's water to Bluff Creek and the Victoria hydro plant. The Ontonagon's branches are protected as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system.
River Map
River Overview
The Middle Branch flows north from the Watersmeet area through the Ottawa National Forest to the Bond Falls Flowage, drops over Bond Falls, and continues past Agate Falls toward the main Ontonagon River. American Whitewater and local paddlers describe three main reaches.
Watersmeet
Designated canoe access just south of US-45.
Wild rice beds
About 4 miles in. Stay river-right.
Burned Dam Campground and Mex-i-min-e Falls
Falls rated Class III to IV. Scout or portage.
Bond Falls Flowage
Reservoir above Bond Falls. Paddle across to public access.
Bond Falls
Not runnable. Carry around via the boardwalk.
Below Bond Falls to Hwy. 28
About 8.4 miles of mostly continuous Class I-II with wood.
Agate Falls
40-plus-foot drop. Take out above it.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The USGS gage near Paulding is on the Middle Branch above Bond Falls and is the one to check for the upper reaches. Below Bond Falls, part of the flow is diverted for hydro, so the gage is a poor guide there.
How to read it
Paddlers report about 180 cubic feet per second at Paulding as a good level for the Watersmeet run, and about 165 as a little low.
Below Bond Falls, judge the level by looking at the river from the falls and road crossings.
Paddling Character
Burned Dam to Bond Falls Flowage
Easy with rips
About 11 miles of easy water with short Class I-II rips, ending with a reservoir paddle.
Below Bond Falls to Hwy. 28
Continuous and woody
About 8.4 miles of continuous Class I-II, with braided channels, logjams and beaver dams.
Michigan Water Trails
The Middle Branch Ontonagon is not a designated Michigan Water Trail, but it runs through the Ottawa National Forest and is part of the Ontonagon's National Wild and Scenic River system.
American Whitewater lists its reaches with current notes.
American Whitewater, Middle Branch OntonagonDams & Portages
Watersmeet
Man-made ledge near the start
A 2-foot ledge between concrete pilings near the Watersmeet put-in. Dangerous hydraulics at high water.
Bond Falls
Bond Falls dam and flowage
The flowage is held by a dam above Bond Falls. Paddle across to the public access and carry around the falls.
Below Hwy. 28
Agate Falls
A 40-plus-foot natural drop. Always take out above the Hwy. 28 bridge area.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Watersmeet
Watersmeet canoe access
Designated access just south of US-45, with a short grass trail.
MapOttawa National Forest
Burned Dam Campground
Put-in above or below Mex-i-min-e Falls.
MapBond Falls
Bond Falls Road access
Public access on the flowage, and the boardwalk carry to below the falls.
MapHwy. 28
Wayside above Hwy. 28
Take-out above Agate Falls.
MapCamping
Ottawa National Forest
Burned Dam Campground
Rustic national forest campground on the river at Mex-i-min-e Falls.
Watersmeet
Sylvania and national forest campgrounds
More Ottawa National Forest campgrounds near Watersmeet.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
The Ottawa National Forest holds wolves, black bear, deer, otter, loons and bald eagles. The wild rice beds draw ducks and other waterfowl.
Fishing
The Middle Branch has trout and smallmouth bass. Check the current fishing guide.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Carry around Bond Falls, and take out above Agate Falls.
- Scout or portage Mex-i-min-e Falls.
- Watch for logjams, especially below Bond Falls.
Rules, passes and private land
- Follow Ottawa National Forest rules for camping and fires.
- Some shortcut roads are private. Get permission before using them.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Helmet for the falls sections
- Folding saw for small deadfall
Best Time & Access
Spring
High, cold water. Mex-i-min-e Falls is pushier.
Summer
Good levels early; low by late summer.
Fall
Great color, but often low.
Winter
Snow and ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Watersmeet is about seven and a half hours north. Take US-131 and I-75 to the Mackinac Bridge, then US-2 west across the UP.
Trip Planning
Long day
Watersmeet to Forest Road 5250 is about 16 miles and 6 hours.
Shuttles
Sylvania Outfitters in Watersmeet has offered shuttles and gear.
Waterfall stops
Visit Bond Falls and Agate Falls from shore.
Check before you go
Look at the Paulding gage and American Whitewater notes.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater rates the Middle Branch reaches from Class I-II(III) to Class II, with Mex-i-min-e Falls at Class III to IV.
Watersmeet to FR 5250
Mostly Class I-II with ledges and Mex-i-min-e Falls.
Burned Dam to Bond Falls Flowage
Easy water with short rips.
Below Bond Falls to Hwy. 28
Continuous water with wood. Take out above Agate Falls.
Quick Reference
| Start | Watersmeet area |
|---|---|
| Falls | Mex-i-min-e, Bond (portage), Agate (take out above) |
| Forest | Ottawa National Forest |
| Key gage | USGS 04033000, near Paulding |
| Good level | About 180 cfs at Paulding for the Watersmeet run |
| Best season | Late spring to early summer |
| Difficulty | Class I-II(III) |