Minnesota Whitewater, St Louis River

From Beginner Whitewater to North Shore Creeking

St Louis River

– Dam controlled, the St Louis is runnable all summer. The Upper section is class II/III at normal level. The lower Louis is class V with sneaks to get by some of the gnarly drops. Thomson Reservoir separates the Upper run from the Lower run.

-the UPPER- Access the river just north of county road 61 (put-in for the Upper St Louis River Whitewater) in the town of Scanlon, Minnesota. The city has built a very nice public river access. This four mile stretch is runnable most of the summer and includes class III rapids, surfing waves and a river wide 4-foot, class III, drop – “electric ledge.” Take out on the south side of Thomson Reservoir at the University of Minnesota Duluth Outpost.

-the LOWER- To access the Lower St Louis Riverfrom the UMD Outpost, river right just above the highway 210 bridge. “Table Saw” is the first drop on the run, slide off the rock toungh avioding “mouse trap” the whole to the left of the slide.
The “210 Drop” comes next, this class III section has been used for slolom races. From here paddlers can continue down the river or exit by the way of stairs on river left.

After a 1/4 mile of class II/III rapids paddlers meet the “Sisters” a set of river wide 3 foot drops.

Quickly followed by the “Beak” and“Octopus.” Sneak the “Beak” of far river right. There are many lines through “Octopus”

Find you way through the “Bone Yards” and get ready for the action at the “Swinging Bridge Drop,” exit below the bridge or continue through “Fin Falls”