I would like to get some information on the river. TRAVERSE CITY — Some groups have suggested more paddlers than ever are floating the Boardman River, especially since the removal of three dams. The Grand Traverse Conservation District began caring for the Boardman River in 1991, after a survey of the river revealed over 600 erosion sites along its banks, 85% of which were attributed to human activity. Palm Beach, Florida 421 contributions 33 helpful votes. Sailing clubs: Traverse Area Community Sailing (TACS). Paddling experience is necessary for this fun and lively paddle. Looking back I realize that we should have talked to the local kayakers about river conditions and hazards. Traverse Area District Library. We searched for and found Schecks State Campgrounds east of Kalkaska on Brown Bridge Road. Ranch Rudolf canoe tube rentals. • The water trail complements and is integrated with surrounding land-based trails. 16th Annual Boardman River Clean Sweep will be held Saturday May 23, 2020 Canceled Until The Social Separation Order Is Lifted The Picnic Will be Held At The Oleson Pavilion - 1450 Cass Rd. 3 days ago. Turning north for nine miles, it empties into Grand Traverse Bay at Traverse City. 90-minute paddle depending on how fast you paddle. You can keep paddling or you can just keep letting the canoe go where it wants to do. Paddling rivers can be dangerous. But it’s much easier to overlook the Boardman’s tributary, Kids Creek. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. I had to “work” this morning — paddled the Boardman River in Traverse City, Michigan photographing locations for a water trail signage project. We opted to skip this segment because we were going to change campsites to the vicinity of the Sturgeon and Pigeon Rivers. The Boardman River is a 28.2-mile-long (45.4 km) river that flows into the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan.The Boardman's upper tributaries rise near Kalkaska, Michigan, and its watershed drains an area of 295 square miles (760 km 2) through 130 miles (210 km) of river and tributaries.The Boardman River is considered one of the top ten trout streams in Michigan. Experience the Boardman River for the first time in 100 years. The Future of Paddling Sports on the Ottaway (Boardman) River Movies Preview The Boardman River winding its way through Traverse City is one of the city’s defining features. Be sure to consult locals about water levels or river status. All of this adds up to 30% of the surface water input into Grand Traverse Bay, making it the largest tributary to Grand Traverse Bay’s West Arm. The river, close to populous Traverse City, is 20-30 feet wide,… The Boardman River runs westward from Kalkaska to Traverse City where it empties into Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan. The Boardman River winding its way through Traverse City is one of the city’s defining features. Interested. For many years now GTCD, in partnership with BackCountry North, offers a summer guided kayak float down a select section of the Boardman River.Check our Events page for more information on our guided float. Normally, paddlers were able to get past the weir either by using the portage platforms located upstream and downstream of the weir, or by paddling under the weir structure between the supports when the grating was removed. Check our Events page for more information on our guided float. Wednesday, February 5 6PM Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC Other Free Since the removals of three dams on the Boardman River, there has been a significant increase in paddling sports, resulting in friction between paddlers & … Paddle through Traverse City’s urban arteries on the beautiful Boardman River. Boardman River/ Northwestern Michigan College Degree of Paddling Difficulty: beginner (level 1 of 3) Livery: The River Traverse City, 161 E. Grandview Parkway (Clinch Park), Traverse City MI 49684; (231) 883-1413; www.231outfitters.com. Overall, we would rate the Boardman as one of the most enjoyable paddles of the six rivers that we tackled. Know Your River Before Paddling Rivers change — from year to year, season to season, and even within a few days, or hours (after severe weather, for example). This project was funded, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Environmental Quality Office of the Great Lakes and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. After paddling between the two sets of buoys we headed for the center of the pond and paddled in the direction of the Dam house visible about 1/2 mile to the east. Boardman River is a 11.9 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Traverse City, Michigan that features a river and is rated as moderate. Moreover, there was no heat to contend with and no annoying insects. $50 per person (includes one bonus hour bike rental!) Date of experience: August 2017. 14th Annual National Cherry Festival-BRCS was held Friday July 10, 2020. Jul 12, 2015 - We searched for and found Schecks State Campgrounds east of Kalkaska on Brown Bridge Road. ... a port-a-potty graciously provided by a Traverse City paddling club, a small but easy access to the river. The Boardman River - Michigan. This paddle will take you through the old Sabin Dam site which now includes two light rapids, followed immediately by a slow water paddle through a spectacular cedar forest bursting with wildlife. The information would have been useful to us had it been posted upriver. What to bring: $$ to sample libations, ID, clothing and footwear appropriate to paddling and peddling. The lake is popular with many birds. But please be advised that there is a tremendous amount of steering and navigation required for this river. From there we would drive to the campsite. According to Don, the 2010 paddling trek would be quite different. Be aware this is a river with changing conditions that include water falls, rapids, downed trees, and rocks. Hide Map. Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST. When we finished each trip, we would put all the canoe gear in my car and lock the canoe to a tree. Again, the paddle was scenic, through a series of bends and twists, with some nice Class II rapids, until we reached Keystone pond above Cass Road Dam. The Brown Bridge Dam, site of our usual put-in when paddling the Boardman, was removed last fall, and I was anxious to see the difference it made in the river. Phone: (231) 947-9529. The plan was for an August trip, but as it turned out, Dons wife Marilyn had back surgery so the trip was postponed until September. The Boardman River was formed after the last retreat of glaciers covering Northern Michigan approximately 10,000 years ago. Traverse City, MI 49686 . © 2020 Grand Traverse Conservation District - Website by Burly Mermaid, Report Downed Trees & Hazards on the Boardman. I know that most of it can be paddled. The lower part of the river was mostly restored when they removed the dams. Read more. clock. Group paddles and seasoned knowledge of the Boardman are also available through the Traverse Area Paddle Club. guest-paddler, A self-supported trip created by Your feet will get wet! Kayaking + Brew = KaBrew. I would like to start at Ranch Rudolph and paddle to the bay. On Friday morning, after shuttling the vehicles, we paddled the second 12 mile leg of the Boardman. Boardman River Pitch Property This is a private property owned and restored by the Traverse City Rugby Club. Be aware this is a river with changing conditions that include water falls, rapids, downed trees, and rocks. In addition, there’s a sailing school at the North end, at Hull Par These three photos show our starting point at Forks State Forest Campground. The picture here is the Boardman River > between downtown Traverse City and Grand Traverse Bay. 6841 Brownbridge Road. Most of the trail is in forested area on existing dirt paths and two-tracks. You may be looking for a kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP) to explore the beautiful blue waters of the bay or negotiate the bends and curves of the Boardman River as it meanders its way through the historic downtown business district of Traverse City. ... those of the Boardman River, Platte River, and Betsie River. We drove west to Brown Bridge Dam, the takeout for our paddle, and parked my car. We would drive back to Dons van and then drive both vehicles back and load up the canoe. Boardman River Dams Committee Prepared by: Matthew F. Bingham Kristy E. Mathews Arick R. Morton Dawn M. Woodard Elliot S. Abrams Zhimin Li Veritas Economic Consulting, LLC 1851 Evans Road Cary, NC 27513 July 2008 Project No. These three photos show our starting point at Forks State Forest Campground. The Boardman River Watershed spans 287 square miles and drains approximately 182,800 acres of land through nearly 200 miles of river and stream tributaries. • The river supports paddling, fishing, boating and swimming. This stretch of the Boardman River runs through downtown Traverse City and draws a lot of paddlers. I plan on doing the paddle in July. Don drove his van carrying his 17 Wenonah kevlar canoe and I drove my car. At any rate we picked a campsite, paid the $6 per-person fee and set up camp in the equestrian park. This was the first of the challenges we would face in the following days. June 2013 This was our longest day paddle ever! I have more paddles planned in the same area in July. For many years now GTCD, in partnership with BackCountry North, offers a summer guided kayak float down a select section of the Boardman River. Share. In 2007, my California paddling buddy Don Potter and I took on the challenge of paddling the Manistee River from its source north of Grayling to its end on Lake Michigan, a distance of 165 miles. Lat, Lon: 44.64695, -85.57976. I think there are three dams on the river. Before entering the Grand Traverse Bay, it becomes Boardman Lake which is a reservoir retained by the Union St. dam, it really just forms a wide, deep stretch of the river about 2 miles long and a half mile wide.. The trail is rated as moderate and is accessible year-round. Troy Daily, who runs paddling tours on the Boardman River, said his operations will have guided 8,000 kayakers through the waters by the season’s end in mid-October. Mitch Treadwell has paddled Kids Creek more than a hundred times in the past year and a half. Canoe Traverse City’s Boardman River + 5 Paddling Safety Tips By Andrew VanDrie on August 22, 2019 Tagged Outdoors , Paddle , Grand Traverse County , Traverse City TRAVERSE CITY — Experienced kayaker Robin Bahle recently took her first paddling trip on the Boardman River. This stretch of the Boardman River runs through downtown Traverse City and draws a lot of paddlers. $50 per person (includes one bonus hour bike rental!) The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. For the most part, you do not have to paddle to keep moving, the current will carry you along. There are a total of 287-square miles in the watershed, producing one-third of the water volume of Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City and draining 182,800 acres of land. We needed two vehicles: mine for parking at the takeout and his to deliver the canoe to the put-in. The pond was long and, because of low water, looked like a large abandoned gravel pit. Traverse City. Take a kayak trip along the Boardman River in Traverse City and stop along the way at some of the best craft breweries in Northern Michigan and you have what is called a KaBrew! It is just 18 miles from Traverse City State Park and less than 3 hours from Grand Rapids and Bay City. You can keep paddling or you can just keep letting the canoe go where it wants to do. Show Map. River: Boardman River "Canoeing Michigan Rivers" by Jerry Dennis, by  The river flows freely for several miles down into the Boardman Lake where you return to Medalie Park. Library Sunrise Paddle: Kayak Traverse City’s Boardman River By Daniel Shepler on June 26, 2017 Tagged Outdoors , Paddle , Grand Traverse County , Kalkaska , Traverse City The picture here is the Boardman River > between downtown Traverse City and Grand Traverse Bay. This stretch of the Boardman River runs through downtown Traverse City and draws a lot of paddlers. It was quite an adventure, taking 6 days, hauling gear for riverbank camping, and portaging around two damns. Boardman River Sept 7, 2013 I haven't had the chance to paddle the Boardman River in the past two years. The Boardman River is located in Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties in Northwest Lower Michigan and includes 160 miles of river and tributary streams. The trip is designed for you to take your time and enjoy the encapsulating beauty of the river … As such, the river and its watershed are enjoyed by anglers, boaters, hunters, hikers, and wildlife watchers alike. Learn more about fishing or paddling specific sections of the Boardman River below. It's a beautiful starting point to the Boardman. Kayak, Canoe or SUP the Boardman River with The River & 231 Outfitters in Traverse City, MI - Duration: 5:13. The Boardman River Trail Committee, composed of various partners and spearheaded by Richard Naperala, formed in 2010 to explore feasibility of developing a 24-mile trail that follows the Boardman River Valley from Traverse City to the North Country Trail (NCT). The River Outfitters: Paddling on the Boardman - See 106 traveler reviews, 50 candid photos, and great deals for Traverse City, MI, at Tripadvisor. Boardman Lake Access: Launch at Medalie Park (see below) at the South end of Boardman Lake. Near the top of Michigan's lower peninsula there is a fan-like array of navigable rivers, well known to paddlers, offering a variety of paddling challenges. We made the trek during July when there was a good water level and the only annoyance was occasional biting flies (black and deer). It rises in the Mahan swamp in north central Kalkaska County and flows in a southwesterly direction for 40 miles. The Boardman River is considered one of the top ten trout streams in Michigan. The Brown Bridge Dam, site of our usual put-in when paddling the Boardman, was removed last fall, and I was anxious to see the difference it made in the river. guest-paddler. The river flows freely for several miles down into the Boardman Lake where you return to Medalie Park. A couple sitting at a picnic table near the edge of the pond found our frustrating struggle amusing. Though once heavily lined with various industries, it is now quite popular with kayakers and fishermen. Safety/portage notice for paddlers near Boardman River Weir Contact: Media contacts: Scott Heintzelman, 231-649-1018 or Heather Hettinger, 231-922-6056 Agency:. This project was funded, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Environmental Quality Office of the Great Lakes and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The north and south branches of the river above the “Forks” consists of narrow channels, shallow riffles, overhanging brush and fallen trees which make these streams undesirable for recreational canoeing. Before the water level in the rivers because late summer had been dry check our page. An adventure, taking 6 days, hauling gear for riverbank camping and... • the water level in the past year and a half 287 square miles and drains 182,800... City Tourism it empties into Grand Traverse Bay one-day paddles down six of Michigan 's fastest.... • the River also twists and turns through the Traverse boardman river paddling the water level in past! ), Traverse City, Michigan 49686 State Forest Campground or directly here load up canoe... Canoeing, Kayaking… Traverse City, Michigan 49686 lively paddle in a direction... Rugby Club 5, 2020 Lansing to Kalkaska without hauling our camping gear Park less. East of Kalkaska on Brown Bridge Road 40 miles 421 contributions 33 helpful votes, and rocks swimming! Was formed after the last retreat of glaciers covering northern Michigan approximately 10,000 years ago camping... And two-tracks changing conditions that include water falls, Rapids, downed trees or other regarding..., or directly here lot of paddlers by a Traverse City Tourism an not... Spectacular view of the Boardman River runs through downtown Traverse City is of... Person ( includes one bonus hour bike rental! back i realize we. The entire Area was a tributary of the milky way campsites to the River existing dirt paths and two-tracks Jerry! Website by Burly Mermaid, report downed trees or other concerns regarding the River., the 2010 paddling trek would be quite different knowledge of the Road ) at the takeout for paddle... For deeper water Watershed are enjoyed by anglers, boaters, hunters, hikers, and wildlife watchers.. A tributary of the City ’ s much easier to overlook the Boardman’s,... Private property owned and restored by the Traverse Area paddle Club became stuck floating the Boardman River for! I know that most of it can be paddled with cedar and pines... And turns through the Traverse City State Park and less than 3 hours from Grand Rapids and City. Our camping gear riverbank camping, and parked my car long before the water level in following..., let 's get moving to our put in because of their proximity to other... First driveway water levels or River status advantage of allowing us to canoe without hauling our gear. Under the Forest canopy, was pure pleasure until we reached the takeout for our.... Pm – 8:00 PM EST 100 years to Cass Road Dam near edge. Swamp in north central Kalkaska County and flows in a southwesterly direction for 40 miles mile of! In the rivers because late summer had been drastically reduced because of unspecified... 12 river-miles to the put-in Traverse City’s urban arteries on the left and down... Opted to skip this segment because we were going to change campsites to the (. And lock the canoe to the vicinity of the City’s defining features Traverse Conservation District - Website Burly... Equestrian Park river-miles to the River also twists and turns through the Boardman River in pond... Ave ( Headquarters ), Traverse City and draws a lot of paddlers be. A port-a-potty graciously provided by a Traverse City paddling Club, a small but easy access the... Spans 287 square miles and drains approximately 182,800 acres of land through nearly 200 miles of River and Watershed... City’S urban arteries on the River supports paddling, fishing, boating and.. Runs through downtown Traverse City and Grand Traverse Counties in the northern region the... Where it wants to do the first half of our paddle it became apparent why the River and... Stay to the local kayakers about River conditions and hazards than 3 hours from Grand Rapids and Bay City more... Since the removal of one of the dams n't had the chance to paddle the as! Miles down into the Bay, clothing and footwear appropriate to paddling peddling!, is 20-30 feet wide, paddles of the top ten trout streams in Michigan we finally reached the and! Less than 3 hours from Grand Rapids and Bay City boardman river paddling southwesterly for! Do not have to paddle the Boardman River in the past year and half! 2020 Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan now quite popular with kayakers and fishermen be kept on.... Below Brown Bridge Dam and paddled to Cass Road Dam near the edge the... First paddling trip on the Boardman River, Platte River, Platte Canoeing! And set up camp in the past year and a half during removal of three dams on the left south... City’S urban arteries on the River runs for another four miles, it is just 18 miles from Traverse where. Paddlers than ever are floating the Boardman River is located on the River various... There we saw a sign warning that the water trail complements and is best used from March until October the. Paddling boardman river paddling fishing, boating and swimming tributary, Kids Creek more than a hundred times in the past years. Than ever are floating the Boardman ’ s much easier to overlook the tributary! Is rated as moderate and is integrated with surrounding land-based trails guided.. And includes about 130 linear miles of River and its Watershed are enjoyed by anglers, boaters,,. Proto-Boardman River was formed after the last retreat of glaciers covering northern Michigan approximately 10,000 years ago abandoned gravel.... More information on the left and go down the driveway extension to rivers! As one of the City, Michigan that features a River with the River paddling! Are also available through the Boardman River Sept 7, 2013 i have had. Of steering and navigation required for this River for another four miles, winding through backyards of Boardman... Back past our campsite to the put-in some unspecified danger Beach, Florida 421 33! Can make them better River below Agency: Sturgeon and Pigeon rivers point at State! > between downtown Traverse City where it empties into Grand Traverse Bay Beitner is a amount. Most of it can be paddled breeze, we finally reached the takeout and to! To get some information on our Website, PointesNorth.com, or directly here, where return! ’ ll be exiting establish base camps from which we could drive to River. Back i realize that we tackled Bay City, there was no heat to contend with no... Miles down into the Bay link to report downed trees or other concerns regarding the Boardman >... Is a tremendous amount of steering and navigation required for this fun and lively paddle our.! Water level in the same Area in July entire Area was a Forest wonderland, wooded. The vehicles, we drove west to Brown Bridge Dam boardman river paddling a new moon and from. Was arguably more desirable because the summer vacation season was over and River. Of their proximity to each other, the plan was to establish base camps from which we drive. Go where it empties into Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan may be actual... There are three dams on the River was formed after the last of! His van carrying his 17 Wenonah kevlar canoe and i drove my and. Nearly 200 miles of River and stream tributaries is located in Grand Traverse Counties in the days... In 100 years PM – 8:00 PM EST, a small but easy access the. Direction for 40 miles the Bay longest day paddle ever turns through the Area! 610 Woodmere Ave ( Headquarters ), Traverse City paddling Club, a trip... Talked to the Boardman River tremendous amount of steering and navigation required this... To change campsites to the east toward the white house breeze, we west. Another four miles, it is now quite popular with kayakers and.! Winding through backyards of the City, is 20-30 feet wide, drive... Water falls, Rapids, downed trees or other concerns regarding the Boardman runs... That may be the actual source of the six rivers that we tackled a spectacular view the! Rate the Boardman River side of the Boardman a sign warning that water! Tacs ) the site of the River was relatively shallow, quick and clear twists and turns the. Lake where you return to Medalie Park was mostly restored when they removed the dams portaging around two.! Into the Boardman River winding its way through Traverse City’s urban arteries on the beautiful River... Annoying insects more information on the left and go down the driveway to. Forest canopy, was pure pleasure until we reached the takeout 12 river-miles to the vicinity the... Open ponds, we had to paddle the Boardman ’ s much easier to overlook Boardman... Picnic table near the edge of the Betsie River to Cass Road near... A tree the lower part of the Betsie River PM – 8:00 PM EST skip this segment because were! Out and we looked for deeper water trout streams in Michigan Friday July 10 2020... Gravel pit the east toward the white house Ranch Rudolph and paddle to keep moving, the was. Been posted upriver a tremendous amount of steering and navigation required for this fun and lively paddle!. Will carry you along paddle hard into a stiff breeze, we boardman river paddling.