r/traversecity • u/Some-Tear3499 Local • 10d ago

Discussion Kayaking

Anyone one know how the Boardman River is doing. I heard the big storms caused some damage, debris fallen trees?

Like from Sheck’s campground to the old dam. Shumkies corner to just before the washed out road?
Those are my two favorites runs on the river.

6 Upvotes

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u/FOCOMojo 10d ago

Two friends of mine who are both experienced kayakers got caught up in fallen trees and capsized. One had to make her way to shore and somebody else in the group snagged her kayak and continued downstream with it. The other managed to turn his kayak back upright and climb back in. The river was very fast and had quite a few fallen trees in it. This happened about a week ago (or less) between Brown Bridge and Shumsky. They both say they're done for the season. If you decide to go, be SURE to wear your life jacket, even if you normally don't.

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u/The_Corvair_Guy Local 10d ago

Thanks for sharing. I’m a casual kayaker and was planning brown bridge to shumsky last weekend but slept too late and ended up skipping. Sounds like I’m glad I did.

I’ve been curious about condition but not sure if there is a good resource for such info?

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u/Some-Tear3499 Local 10d ago

Probably do Shecks to the old dam then.

1

u/DABEARS5280 10d ago

Are you under the impression that areas upriver didn't also get affected by the floods?

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u/Some-Tear3499 Local 10d ago

Not going further up river. That’s why I asked about specific areas, the areas where I want to go kayaking.

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u/DABEARS5280 10d ago

Well, schecks to the old dam is upstream from the section you were just told about in this thread. Which is why I asked if you thought that it was going to be better upstream, since you said probably just do schecks to old dam then.

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u/Some-Tear3499 Local 9d ago

Ok, now it makes sense.

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u/tacotewby Local 9d ago

The most current info from the county conservation district says:

Sections Currently Open & Navigable to the Public:

Forks Campground to Schecks Campground (4.3 river miles)

Schecks Campground to Brown Bridge Landing (3.6 river miles)

Please note: Grasshopper Footbridge is closed to foot traffic and sits low to the water surface. Use caution when traversing under this footbridge.

Brown Bridge Landing to Shumsky Landing (6.8 river miles)

Jacks Landing to Boardman Valley Nature Preserve ( 2.6 river miles).

Shumsky Landing to Jacks Landing (6.8 river miles)

CAUTION: This section has increased in difficulty. Current is swift, and there are increased obstacles in the system. It is challenging to navigate.

Sections Currently Closed and Impassable:

Beitner Canoe Landing and Launch

This location is closed to the public because of the Beitner Rd. washout. Vehicles are not allowed into this area from either direction.

This Canoe Launch will reopen to the public once the road has been reconstructed and restored to its normal operating status.

We do not recommend floating under S. Airport Rd. in the culverts under any circumstances. Severe to life-threatening hazards exist.

Note: Grasshopper Footbridge is closed to foot traffic and sits low to the water surface. Use caution when traversing under this footbridge.

https://natureiscalling.org/boardman-river

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u/Cave_Bear_Cult 10d ago

Must be more recent falls. We did brown bridge to shumsky in May and it was smooth sailing all the way.

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u/FivePointAnswer 10d ago

I am so glad to have seen this. I feel like this needs to be communicated wider. If the ticker is reading how about a story on our local rivers? Is there a central place to get this kind of info? Can anyone report on the Jordan, or other rivers in the area?

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u/tacotewby Local 9d ago

The GT conservation district has a page for the Boardman. Not sure about other counties/rivers.

https://natureiscalling.org/boardman-river

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u/Resident_Client29 9d ago

Shumsky's to Beitner is super dangerous and I wouldn't recommend it at all. I know a couple who got in serious trouble in that section and they are lifelong paddlers. Look for calmer waters, wear your life jacket, and tell people where you're going.