Yates Falls (can be deadly!)

The "Falls" or the "Dam" on the Mighty Clinton River at Dequindre/Yates Cider Mill can be deadly!  People drowned there on July 3rd 1999 and 2000.  (same day at the end of one century and the beginning of the next!)  This is my birth date day and normally I would have been on the river with my paddling buddies, but since it was my birthday I was not out in spite of high water each of these years.  On one of the years, 1999 I think, Red Boat Tom was there and pulled one guy out but the other guy drowned.

Here is a video of me running the dam but watch closely as my boat gets sucked back slightly.

Now see the aftermath of Ed's run in about the same size boat (Pyranha s6, mine was the s6f - both are 6' boats that are prone to diving)

Here is a good run with a larger boat (s6x)

I rarely run the dam any more, only if I am in a longer boat with more volume like my Pyranha Burn L which is 8 feet long - it spans the hydraulic better and the volume keeps you from diving but it is still a risky move and I do not recommend it.

MCR Bypass - in the beginning

This is a video of the old "bypass" on the MCR.  It used to be a small cut off from the main branch of the river that kept getting wider and wider until it is now the main channel of the river!  This video was taken at the point when it was only around 6 feet wide and there was a 3 foot drop that created a hydraulic that you could play in. 

The Mighty Clinton River is a great paddle spot in SE Michigan.  The 'best' section is between Avon & Livernois roads down to Dequindre or Yates Cider Mill.  The upper section from Auburn Hills (Squirrel & Auburn roads down to A & L) is pretty good at the right water level.  (check the USGS Gauge http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv/?site_no=04161000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065 levels above 1.6 are decent, over 1.8 and you need some experience, at 2.0 and higher you better have experience) 

The section from Yates (Dequindre) to Ryan is pretty easy and about 45 minutes to an hour long, then it is 1.5 to 2 hours from Ryan to Van Dyke where you take out at Heritage Park.  Check with Outdoor Escorts for rentals. (http://www.outdoorescorts.com/)