Wisconsin River - water level GOOD
The Wisconsin River is 430 miles long and one of the states more dammed and perhaps it's hardest working rivers. It's historical importance to the Central Wisconsin Area is due to the signing of the 1836 Lumberman's Treaty or the "Treaty of Cedars" by the Menominee Indians. The pact made with the Menominee Indians allowed for logging and saw milling operations along the Wisconsin River. This land was nick-named the "Indian Strip" because a strip of land 3 miles wide on each side of the Wisconsin River was given up to the Americans for development and harvest of timber resources. It later was called the "the Pinery" and the city of Stevens Point was known as the "Gateway to the Pinneries". The the city of Stevens Point owes its namesake to an early pioneer named George Stevens who came to the area in 1838. Stevens purchased a shack housing logging supplies. Unbeknown st to the business entrepreneur, he had founded the town of Stevens Point. In 1839 the land was surveyed by Joshua Hathaway, divided into lots and put up for sale. By 1844 the first land entry was made for Stevens Point, which became an established town by 1847. By 1850 the logging town had a population of 200 persons. (2006 pop. 34,000+)
In the 1600's-1700's before the pine and other timber was harvested off the river was an important trade route among the native tribes and explorers for fur who gathered north of town. You will find a historic river crossing at Lake DuBay County Park north of Stevens Point. The park was named after John Baptiste Du Bay, in the early 1800's established a trading post for the American Fur Company on the east bank of the Wisconsin River at a place known later as Crockers Landing. This area is now under water after Lake DuBay was created in 1942. Wisconsin's connection to it's timber resource also makes it first in paper production. Many of the dams today are owned by the various paper companies that employ a large number of people locally and worldwide.
In 2006 Nature Treks expanded its interpretive education programs to offer voyageur canoe trips on the Wisconsin River. Imagine what the river was like before the 1800's when early voyageurs traded with the local Native Americans. Learn the local history of important people who made Central Wisconsin what it is today.
Our 24ft, 8-12 passenger canoe is a modern day reproduction of the early fur trading canoes used by a core of the areas early French explorers. Our trips will begin south of the Lake DuBay dam and end at the county boat landing on Hwy 10 west. This section takes 2-3hrs.
The second section begins at the county boat landing to Stevens Point. This section is more open with many back water areas on the east shore due to the dams downstream. The group would pull-out at Bukolt or Piffner Park with a total time of 2-3hrs.
Two types of trips are offered and include:
Our first trip includes 1-guide, water,snack,15-30 min. break. $150.00 and space for 8-10 guest.
Our second offer includes 2 traditional dressed guides with historical program. Water, snack and 30 min. Box lunches can be placed with our place of choice ask us for a list of shops.
To locate recreational maps visit the Portage County website and hit the button for county departments then the button for the parks dept!
See what a challenge the Wisconsin River has to offer with Paddle Quest. Check out their website and register your team today!
Our our Bukolt Park location on the Wisconsin River has been CLOSED DUE TO THE STORM ON 7-18-11 WICH HAS LEFT THIS SITE WITHOUT POWER but may reopened for 2012 season. Open from 10:00AM-6:00PM Friday-Monday and closed Tuesdays -Thursdays. We offer concessions, minor fishing gear, bike, canoe, touring kayaks for rent. Minor bike and skateboard repair will be offered. This site is unique site and has changing rooms, bathroom and shower, a private wing for party rentals can be reserved. The 33 mile Green Circle bike trail runs past the east door and a swimming beach on the Wisconsin River is on the west end. A new skate park was built in the park in fall of 2010. This site is also a favorate for the roller blade crowd and we plan to offer rentals of roller blades. Check out this site!
www.co.portage.wi.uswww.thebackwaters.netwww.wisconsinrivers.orgwww.pchswi.orgwww.wausauwhitewater.orgwww.meadwildlife.org
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