See all 4 routes on Chippewa River
Wisconsin | Northwest Wisconsin
Chippewa RiverCounty A Bridge to Highway 8 Landing
Quiet upper-Chippewa day from the Imalone / County A access to the Highway 8 canoe landing at Bruce, with wooded banks, islands, light riffles, and a direct same-river gauge at Bruce.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at the Imalone / County A access and finish at Highway 8 Canoe Landing in Bruce. This upper-Chippewa section is mostly easy current with wooded banks, island channels, riffles, and boulder gardens, but it still needs the Bruce gauge to stay above the practical minimum.
Access map
Put-in
Imalone / County A Bridge accessRusk County publishes the Imalone Boat Access and Highway 8 Canoe Landing coordinates for the Imalone-to-Bruce route.
Take-out
Highway 8 Canoe LandingWisconsin Trail Guide describes the County A put-in as a hand-carry access east of the bridge, upstream side, with roadside parking and a short downslope carry.
Road shuttle
Use a rural car shuttle between the Imalone / County A bridge access and the Highway 8 canoe landing east of the bridge in Bruce. The roads are straightforward but too long for most casual bike shuttles.
Additional access notes
- The Highway 8 landing entrance is east of the bridge near Sawdust Road and has a trailer-access ramp and parking.
More route and safety guidance
- Island splits, boulder gardens, overhanging trees, and fresh wood require attention even in the preferred band.
- Confirm County A and Highway 8 landing conditions before staging vehicles.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
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View at the gauge
Chippewa River Near Bruce, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Chippewa River Near Bruce, WI |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 400 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin Trail Guide Chippewa River C3 minimum flow |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route guide9.0 miles; Class I riffles
Wisconsin Trail Guide documents Chippewa River C3 from County A Bridge to Highway 8 Landing as a nine-mile easy route with light riffles, boulder gardens, islands, and roughly four hours of paddle time.
- Minimum flow400 cfs / 1.5 ft
Wisconsin Trail Guide lists the Bruce gauge as the river-level reference and gives 400 cfs / 1.5 feet as the suggested minimum for this Chippewa C3 route.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05356500
USGS identifies 05356500 as Chippewa River Near Bruce, WI, matching the route-specific Bruce gauge named by Wisconsin Trail Guide and located at the take-out town.
- Public access coordinates45.552358, -91.228388 to 45.452909, -91.256361
Rusk County Tourism publishes the Imalone Boat Access and Highway 8 Canoe Landing GPS coordinates for its Imalone-to-Bruce Chippewa River route.
- Access detailsHand carry put-in; trailer-access take-out
Wisconsin Trail Guide describes the County A access as a hand-carry landing with roadside parking and the Highway 8 landing as a trailer-access ramp with parking east of the bridge near Sawdust Road.
- High-water cautionRain and dam-release sensitivity
Wisconsin Trail Guide warns novice paddlers to use extra caution at high water, especially after heavy rain or Arpin Dam releases.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Chippewa River
All 4Nearby routes within 75 miles
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