Petrifying Springs to Lathrop & CTH.A (up to 4.5 miles)

Quick Facts: Location: Petrifying Springs Park, midway between Racine and Kenosha. Shuttle Length: 2.9 miles. (See details in "Directions" Tab.) Character: Swiftwater float trip, with LOTS of deadfall. A few areas of waves and shoals. Put-in is approximately 631' elevation. Take-out is approximately 589' elevation. Thus total elevation change is approximately 42'. General Overview In general, more of a scenic 'swiftwater' float trip than a true 'whitewater' run. At moderate flows, you'll encounter swiftwater and _small_ rapids within Petrifying Springs County Park (affectionately known by locals as "Pets"). A few minor playable waves may exist at low-boatable flows. At higher flows, the riffles and rips will generally wash out, and bridges and snags spanning the river will become hazardous obstacles. Boaters wishing to limit their run to the best of the rapids (such as they are; again, it's really more like just riffles and swiftwater) may wish to limit their boating completely within Petrifying Springs park. Proceeding beyond the park (past the last bridge in the park, near the ball diamond, dog-walk area, and the artesian well, into the area flanked by the golf course and the UW-Parkside property) yields very few additional swifts or rapids. Additionally, you will encounter numerous blind curves and ever-shifting river-wide strainers necessitating portaging. At any good boatable flow, it may be difficult to get ashore before being swept into some of these snags. To put it more strongly, if you proceed beyond the road bridge at the East end of the park, it'll feel like you're spending more time out of your boat than in it! My last time there, just walking halfway to the next roadbridge, I counted at least eight impassable deadfalls spanning the river! As you enter Kenosha Country Club (golf course) you'll pass a couple of low golf-cart bridges (the first is the lowest -- if you can get under it, you will be fine on the rest). Soon you will hear a bit of a rapids at an area where and a new bridge arches gracefully across the stream. A small dam (which had existed here for half a century, but was removed late in 2004) was replaced with stonework riffle beds. A few small waves may occur here at boatable flows, but in general are not playable and there are not any good eddies. Not far downstream, as one approaches the clubhouse (where the left shore becomes a vinyl-covered vertical wall), a rubble pile (cement slabs and chunks in the river) creates a small wave. Minor play may be possible at some levels (and there may actually be an eddy for repeat play), but again, it's nothing to get too excited about. At the take-out, your exit from the river may be a bit difficult. Depending upon water level and shore conditions (mud), it may be tough to find a place to safely get out of your boat and to be able to get up the riverbank. Scout the whole area well as you set shuttle and make sure you _know_ where you can get out! To reiterate, this stream is _very_ prone to deadfall and snags, many of which must be portaged at virtually any reasonable boatable flow. Unless you are justifiably confident in your boat handling skills (being able to catch an eddy, perhaps a micro-eddy, and exit the river) you are advised to be very careful when boating this reach!