West Branch Ontonagon River (Bergland to Norwich Road)
16.3 miles
October 2020
Loads of fun can be found on this lengthy stretch of river! We put in at the M-28 bridge just outside of Bergland, which is a little steep but not impossible. Launch points are limited though which made for a hairy start right into rapids as soon as you set off. Class I-II rapids can be found for significant portions of the run from Bergland to Norwich Road. The scenery is amazing! Bluffs along the Trap Hills rise above the river valley and there's almost no development whatsoever for the entire length. Just you and the wild creatures out here. The river slows down the further east you go.
I hit this stretch at about 375 CFS on the Bergland Dam gauge which felt comfortable. Granted, I was in a 14' sea kayak which was the wrong boat for these rapids, but I made it work!