Minnesota Whitewater, The Kettle River
Banning State Park to Robinson Quarry
Kettle River
Designated “Scenic and Wild” the river is a great resource for introducing paddlers to whitewater.
Flowing through Banning State Park, the Kettle becomes class II and III at low to medium levels, and gets dangerous at the higher levels.
The action starts fast on the Kettle, 100 yards below the put-it paddlers enter “Blueberry Slide” This class III/III+ rapids is best run river left, surf waves make excellent play. THe second half of the rapids contains a set of holes; teachers and teachers pet, both are nice for play.
The next rapid, Mother’s Delight is a Class III best run down the middle at medium to high levels. At the normal summer levels (below 400 cfs) the cleanest line is starting on river right and running the rapids diagonally to river left.
Get ready for Dragon’s Tooth, Class III+/IV. at high flows run a tight line on river left. Avoiding the bite of the upper jaw, river wide ledge
Little Banning Rapids, Class II For nearly half a mile the Kettle River opens allowing more fun paddling. Enjoy some small surf waves and some very fun eddy-outs.
The Kettle slows down for the next mile giving paddlers a chance to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Hell’s Gate, Class III is next – the Kettle River pinches down for the last big drop on this section of the Kettle.
