Fun fact: the Native American word waupaca simply means “tomorrow.”
It will be tricky to catch the river with enough water to avoid scraping in many segments, although levels are usually reliable from Waupaca on down. The water clarity is typically excellent for most of the river’s length. Deadfall is definitely problematic in some sections – notably below Cobbtown Road and below Riverview Park. In other segments, however, the river is remarkably clear thanks to dedicated volunteers.
The Tomorrow-Waupaca features a couple fun stretches of engaging boulder gardens – namely the Amherst-to-Durrant Road and County Road Q-to-Brainards Bridge Park trips. There are some small hills in the immediate foreground, none terribly dramatic, but all quite pleasant. Two extracurricular treats are passing an old red mill in Nelsonville and, much later, after County Q, a covered bridge.
There’s a lot of charm and charisma on the Tomorrow-Waupaca River. Choose the section that’s right for you and you’ll discover why paddlers return to this beloved stream time and again (including us).
Map:
Nelsonville to Amherst
Miles: 4.25 | 2022 Trip Report
This short but popular section of the Tomorrow-Waupaca River located in Central Wisconsin is an easy-going paddle that begins as a charming and woodsy small-stream paddle at the put-in, and then transitions to wide marsh-like environs towards the takeout.
Amherst to County Highway DD
Miles: 11 | 2015 Trip Report
A real treasure featuring sparkling clear water, countless swift riffles plus a couple of rapids, stupendously big boulder gardens, steep hillside banks and adequate access points to shorten this trip, alas the Tomorrow-Waupaca River doesn’t give up all this goodness without a price. Water levels are often too low to paddle without notable scraping, there are a couple barbed and/or electric wires strung across the water, and deadfall tends to be an issue. While this trip courses through beautiful woods and pastures, the first few miles are loud and distracting due to Highway 10 located very close to the meandering river. (You’ll actually paddle under Highway 10 four times in as many miles). On account of that, we recommend putting in along Buchholz Road and taking out at Cobbtown Road for a truly fantastic section of the river, but for more experienced paddlers with good boat control only.
County Highway DD to County Highway Q
Miles: 7 | 2014 Trip Report
This section of the river is eerily divided into distinct halves, but while each half might be equal in length, they are hardly equals in characteristics. The first is a lively ride right out of the gates with boulders and riffles and ledges surrounded by a whole lot of pretty landscape, while the second (the “halves-not”?) is slower, windier, and prone to a whole lot of downed trees to dodge, duck under, ride over, or portage around. There’s very little to recommend downstream from Cobbtown Road. It’s not until County Highway Q that things pick up and become fun again.
County Highway Q to Brainards Bridge Park
Miles: 7.75 | 2015, 2012, 2011 Trip Reports
This is the most popular section of the Waupaca River, mainly because it’s serviced by a local outfitter but also because it offers a wonderfully diverse and appealing-to-the-eye paddle. With riffles, boulder gardens, a covered bridge and even a class I rapid, the variety will appeal to paddlers of all skill levels. It’s also a great beginner stream for paddlers interested in an initiation to lightwater. This is a classic Central Wisconsin paddle and is really the sum of all the other parts you’ll find on this river.
Riverview Park to Reek Road
Miles: 11.25 | 2017 Trip Report
Downtown to Reek road is a rarely paddled section of the Waupaca. It can explained as two distinct parts. From Riverview Park to Highway 22, a sometimes pushy current carries you through a mixture of urban to woodsy environments with a few riffly stretches. There are a couple easy – maybe Class I drops – but more of the gradual variety which add to the fun. The further outside of the city you paddle, the more wildlife you’ll encounter. You will however, come across a portage or two (or maybe more) in the future as this part of the river is no longer allowed to be cleaned up.
After Highway 22, the paddle gets flatter, and slower. It’s still pretty, but ancillary noise increases with the Highway that parallels the stretch almost the entire way (not to mention, the Waupaca Airport too). Noise aside, the paddle keeps its interest but without much of the excitement that resides upstream. The upside is that there are no portages to content with.
Reeek road is the last take-out before one would have to trek through the slow and stagnant waters of Weyauwega Lake. That part was not our cup-of-tea, and if not yours either, we suggest taking-out at Reek.
Weyauwega to Decker Memorial Park
Miles: 6.25 | 2017 Trip Report
The last stretch of the Waupaca before it meets the Wolf River is a pleasant and quiet paddle. Before River Road, the river maintains a “Waupaca River” feel with a dotted boulder here and there, shallows there and here before it ultimately slows and widens – which makes deadfall a non-issue. The pace is one of gentle bends on wider water until the confluence with the Wolf. From there to Decker Memorial park, you’ll paddle a very short jaunt on much deeper (and busy in the summer) waters.
No Comments