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Milwaukee Urban Water Trail
Trip Planning
Information
Planning for a
safe trip! Although the
Milwaukee Urban Water Trail is not as “wild” or unpopulated as many
popular water trail routes, the power and unpredictability of our rivers
should never be underestimated! It is important to plan properly before
any river excursion to ensure that a safe and fun time is had by all.
Before setting out, it is important to acquaint yourself with your
desired route using the Route Description on the Milwaukee Urban Water
Trail map and other maps, and to choose a distance and degree of
difficulty that is comfortable for you. Keep in mind that most people
paddle two to three river miles per hour, and that water levels can
speed up or slow down your trip. It is advisable to always travel with a
companion or group, to carry maps with you, and to advise someone of
your plans before you go. Be aware of water levels, potential hazards,
and required and recommended portages.
Water levels
and hazards:
Water levels
and flow can vary greatly with rainfall, affecting safety both on the
land and in the water. Children should be warned to stay away from the
rivers during times of high and fast water (usually during spring flood
events). Higher water, while making some shallow rivers more
accessible, generally increases level of difficulty due to increased
hazards such as low bridges, snags, concealed boulders, and low hanging
trees. Paddling in high water should be exercised with extreme caution.
Real-time water
levels of our local rivers can be found on the USGS website at:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/current?type=flow. Natural
features of the stream bed such as rocky boulder beds, mud, sand, and
gravel vary throughout the length of the rivers, and can be difficult
and challenging to beginning boaters. There are two required portages
around natural falls in Kletsch and Estabrook Parks; one portage around
Estabrook Dam (in Estabrook Park upstream of the natural falls) that
requires portaging during most of the summer when the dam is closed; and
an optional portage bypassing the North Avenue rapids upstream of the
former dam/pedestrian bridge (recommended during very high or very low
water).
To report
hazards or obstructions on the rivers, please, call FMR at (414)
287-0207.
General safety tips:
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Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)—a PFD is legally required for each
person onboard and can save your life!
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Don’t be left up the creek without a
paddle—always bring an extra one along.
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Consider seeking formal boating
instruction, attending a boating safety class, and/or practicing
paddling/rescue skills before your trip.
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Dress appropriately for the weather and
anticipate weather changes, especially when paddling in cold water
(use of dry suit or wet suit recommended); it is always a good idea to
bring extra dry clothes with you and keep them stored in a waterproof
bag.
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Wear brightly colored clothing,
especially if in a low-riding boat such as a sea kayak (kayaks are not
easily seen by motorized boaters, especially when gray or blue in
color).
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Remember to review your exit points and
portages before embarking on your trip, and be aware of any hazards.
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When paddling along the Milwaukee
Estuary, inner harbor, Port of
Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Mooring Basin, exercise extreme caution and
stay in marked channels to ensure your safety and minimize conflicts
with motorized boats, barges, and ships. Milwaukee has an operating
port, and paddling in the Port area and Municipal mooring basin is a
potential hazard.
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Make sure you bring adequate drinking
water and more than enough provisions for your trip.
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Extra safety equipment may include a
first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, extra lashing
line, and dry bags or storage containers.
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Do not paddle under the influence.
Breweries should be a “take-out” and not “put-in” access point! In a
recent report by the American Canoe Association, alcohol was found to
be a causal factor in 25% of canoeing deaths and 9% of kayaking
fatalities from 1996-2002.
For more safety
information, please check out the following websites:
For more information
on local weather conditions, please check out the following websites:
Canoe Rentals and Trip
Providers:
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UWM
Student Union Outing Center. For rental information, call (414)
229-5256. Website:
http://www.aux.uwm.edu/Union/events/outing/rentals.html.
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Laacke and
Joys Milwaukee (other locations in
Brookfield and Mequon). For more information on rental of canoes and
kayaks, call (414) 414-271-7878. Website:
http://www.laackeandjoys.com
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Marsh-N-Stream Kayak Outings. For
information on scheduling an outing, visit
www.marshnstream.com or
call 414-688-2378.
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Urban Ecology Center. Equipment available to
members and organized canoe trips offered to members and the public.
For more information, call (414) 964-8505. Website:
http://www.urbanecologycenter.org
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Schlitz
Audubon Nature Center. Equipment available to members and organized
canoe trips offered to members and the public. For more information,
call (414) 414-352-2880. Website:
http://www.sanc.org
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Riveredge
Nature Center. Canoes available if staff person is present. For more
information, call (800) 287-8098. Website:
http://www.riveredge.us.
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The City of West Bend Park, Recreation, and
Forestry Department. Canoe rental and shuttle service available for
residents and non-residents. For more information, call (262)
335-5080. Website:
http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us
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Aqua Guides
and Outfitters, Inc. Kayak rental, instruction, and trips available.
For more information, call (262) 376-1129. Website:
http://www.aquaguideandoutfitter.com/index.htm
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Riverwest
Outdoor Enterprises. For more information on excursions, call (414)
263-4877.
In case of
emergency, please contact the U.S. Coast Guard at (800) 321-4400 or
(414) 747-7181 or hail them or other nearby boaters on channel 16 of
your marine VHF radio.
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