FOX RIVER HERITAGE PADDLE SEGMENTS RESCHEDULED DUE TO HIGH RIVER FLOW CONDITIONS
Record rainfalls across most of the 6,400 square mile Fox-Wolf Basin over the past several weeks have generated extremely high flows through the entire Fox River. These strong currents and heavy flows are creating very challenging and unsafe paddling conditions for events of this type. Here is a summary of the changes - more details below:
Segment 7 - Neenah to Appleton - Park-to-Park Paddle - MOVED to Saturday September 4
Segment 8a - Kaukauna to Rapide Croche/ Wrightstown - CANCELLED
Segment 8b - Wrightstown to De Pere - MOVED to Sunday August 15
Segment 9 - De Pere to Green Bay - Tall Ships Paddle - NO CHANGE - Saturday August 14
Segment 7B - Lutz Park/ Appleton to Sunset Point/ Kimberly (Appleton Locks Paddle) - MOVED to Sunday September 12
The Fox River Heritage Paddle 2010 celebrates the planned Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway - a long, non-continuous park to tie together places of history with the rivers' future as an adventure tourism destination. The Heritage Paddle is a journey of rediscovery over part of the route traveled by exlporers Marquette and Joliet. But we are traveling downstream, in twelve segments ranging from five to fifteen miles long, scheduled over ten weekends.
The journey began April 24th and will cover much of the 190 mile length of the Fox River from Portage to Green Bay. Some of the segments will be completed out of sequence to better accommodate river conditions and calendar restrictions. Net proceeds from event fees and sponsorships (after covering event costs) will be dedicated to the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway for the development of a Fox River Water Trail.
Detailed Trip Information by Paddle Segment
An overview of each paddle segment is provided below. Click the map icon for a detailed paddle trip description with schedule, launch/ land details, a list of "paddle points" describing features along the segment and a route map. Some of the segments, designated as "a" and "b," were originally scheduled on subsequent days but may now be out of sequence due to the rescheduling required by heavy flow conditions. Participants may register for either or both of these segments.
In most cases, we will shuttle vehicles as a group before the launch. Shuttle buses will be offered on some segments, such as 7a (Park-to-Park Paddle) if we anticipate a large number of participants.
Segment 9: Tall Ships Paddle
De Pere to Green Bay
Saturday August 14 - 9:00 a.m.
 (8 miles) This segment concludes the 13-part “Journey of Rediscovery” and passes through the Baylake Bank Tall Ships Festival in Green Bay. Located at the mouth of the Fox River, it is the gateway city to the mid-continent by way of the Fox-Wisconsin waterway and the Mississippi River. Controlled by the French and the English in the 18th century, this area was highly sought after for its access to exploration routes and the fur trade. After the Americans gained control in 1816, the region became known for its many mills and farms and its Great Lakes port.
This segment begins at Bomier Park in De Pere, passes through the De Pere lock and continues down the Fox River to end at the mouth of Green Bay, concluding the Fox River Heritage Paddle for 2010.
Twelve vintage vessels will sail into the Port of Green Bay, dock on the shores of the Fox River and host a three day festival as part The Great Lakes United Tall Ship Challenge 2010 ®. Select the above link to read more...
10am-5pm, August 13-15, 2010 at Leicht Memorial Park in Green Bay, WI.
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List of Remaining Activities
These activities are open to the public and are intended to highlight local historical, cultural, social and environmental features throughout the journey. There may be nominal fees charged for some of these activities. The "S_" designation after the date of each event refers to the corresponding paddle segment number!
8/14 S9: Bomier Park/ De Pere to Green Bay! (Tall Ships Paddle)
8/14 S9: Bay Lake Bank Tall Ships Festival
8/15 S8b: Wrightstown to De Pere
9/4 S7a: Park-to-Park Paddle: Shattuck Park/ Neenah to Lutz Park/ Appleton
9/12 S7b: Lutz Park/ Appleton to Sunset Point Park/ Kimberly
Links to ALL Paddle Segment Handouts
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Segment 8b: Wrightstown to De Pere
Sunday August 15 - 8:30 a.m.
 (10.2 miles) Enjoy sweeping views of the Fox River to De Pere. In 1671, Jesuit missionary Fr. Claude-Jean Allouez set up a mission, Rapides Des Peres (Rapids of the Fathers) on the site of modern-day De Pere to convert members of the Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi tribes to Christianity. French fur traders controlled the region until they were defeated by the British in 1763 and later the British by the Americans in 1783. The next settlers were the Oneida in 1821. The area later became a hub of Danish settlement. By the 1850s, this region became a target for industry. Three sawmills, two lathe mills, and a flour mill were powered by the Fox River.
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 Weather Policy
The scheduled paddle segments will go as scheduled, rain or shine - BUT, NOT in the presence or threat of lightning. If the weather forecast is threatening and conditions are questionable, we will meet at the scheduled location for the launch and evaluate conditions. If we proceed, but electrical storms develop while we are underway, we wll leave the water and either wait for the weather to clear or arrange transportation to our vehicles. Bring rain gear, perhaps a tarp and a deck of cards!
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Segment 7a: 9th Annual Park-to-Park Paddle: Neenah to Appleton - SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4 (Unload 7 - 9 a.m.; launch 9:20 a.m.)
(8.5 miles) The Segment covers the core of the historic waterway through Neenah and Menasha en route to Appleton. This area originally was the settlement of the Ho-Chunk and Fox Indians. Later, these communities would becomea world leaders in paper manufacturing. Along the way, paddlers will see an interesting mix of some of the oldest settled areas and historic structures alongside some of the newest developments on the waterway that supported their growth. This trip includes passage through the Menasha Lock, which has been continuously operated since the lock system began in about 1856.
This route begins at historic Shattuck Park in Neenah, traveling up the Fox River to Lake Winnebago, then north into Menasha to follow the navigation canal to the Menasha Lock. After the lockage, paddlers have the option to cross Little Lake Butte des Morts and finish at Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha, or continue north through Little Lake Butte des Morts to finish on the Fox River at Lutz Park in Appleton. Click the Park to Park Paddle icon for a summary of last year's event.
Sponsors for this year's Park-to-Park Paddle are Eagle Flats and Outdoor Outlet.
 
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Segment 7b: Appleton to Kimberly
Sunday September 12 - 9:00 a.m.
 (6.4 miles) The Segment flows through the heart of Appleton. This river served as the area’s earliest highway for the native peoples, then for explorers, fur traders and missionaries who came to explore, exploit and prophesize on their journey to the interior wilderness. The city was first settled by these early Europeans, serving as the location for fur trading posts (circa 1760). As the region grew, geography dictated Appleton’s industry. Early entrepreneurs harnessed river power for manufacturing and agriculture. This area became the hub of the Fox Valley’s paper industry, producing more paper than any other place in the world. Your paddle takes you through this largely urban area, past dams, through the Appleton flats, locking through to reach your final destination.
This segment begins at Lutz Park in Appleton, passes through the four Appleton locks and continues down the Fox River, under the Hwy 441 bridge to end at Sunset Point Park in Kimberly.
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Past Segment Information Below!
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Links to Past Segment Photos
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Segment 1: Indian Agency House to CTH O
Saturday April 24 - 8:00 a.m.
(10.7 miles) The journey started at the Historic Indian Agency House and continued to Governor's Bend Park, and then on to finish at CTH O. Pre-paddle presentations were given to describe the historic canal and the Indian Agency House. Members of the Marquette County HIstorical Preservation Society at Muir Park discussed the "Year of John Muir" and presented readings by John Muir. Check out awesome Segment 1 trip photos by Mark Hoffman and a second set by Jon Blough! And be sure to check out the Portage Daily Register's story and great photos!
Our Segment 1 sponsor is Blau Family Chiropractic of Portage, WI - Thank You!
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Segment 4a/b: Photos by Jon Blough! and Segment 4a photos by David Horst and additional 4b photos by Steve Wagner.
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Segment 2: CTH O to Packwaukee Lake
Saturday May 15 - 8:00 a.m.
(12.5 miles) This Segment flows through woods and wetlands where naturalists, birders and casual observers will often find hundreds of species of birds, plants and other wildlife along the route to Buffalo Lake. Beautiful weather, great companionship and plenty of wildlife rewarded the efforts of 40 paddlers. The Packwaukee Historical Society presented old photographs of the river and described local history after the day’s paddle. A drum circle with Dirty Kettle was held at the Rendezvous Paddle & Sports in a  three-tepee camp. Check out Dave Horst's photos from Segment 2!
Our Segment 2 sponsor is the Marquette-Adams Telephone Cooperative of Oxford, WI.
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(11 miles) We started in Montello at the Rendezvous Outfitter, this segments sponsor and enjoyed a short paddle to Rivers Bend Resort. After a short break and a history lesson, we entered the wetlands and continued to Good Ole Days on Lake Puckaway. Beautiful weather, 39 canoes and kayaks and about 54 participants started off the Memorial Day wee kend!
Thanks again to our Segment 3 sponsor, Rendezvous Outfitters of Montello! And be sure to check out Dave Horst's and Jon Blough's photos from Segment 3!
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Segment 4a: Marquette to Princeton
Saturday June 12 - 8:00 a.m.
 (15.5 miles) 46 paddlers in 28 canoes and kayaks explored the area around the village of Marquette and Mascoutin, where Catholic Jesuit missionaries established a mission after Fr. Marquette passed through on his famous exploration. Lake Puckaway was a major mud flat area with a high intensity of wild rice. The Honorable Bob M osolf, Mayor of the City of Princeton welcomed all the paddlers to Princeton. Activities after the paddle included a display of historical artifacts by Bill Zamzow and a presentation by Jackie Red Women, an Ottowa medicine woman from Wautoma, on Native American ceremonies and culture at the Mecan River Outfitters & Lodge.
 Our Segment 4a sponsor was the Greater Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce! Photos are available courtesy of Jon Blough and David Horst!
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Segment 4b: Princeton to White River Dam
Sunday June 13 - 10:00 a.m.
(6 miles) Home to Wisconsin’s largest flea market, Princeton is located midway along the Upper Fox. The community developed as an agricultural center in the midst of some of the state’s most fertile land, and was once known as the “Bean Center of the World.” Due to a large amount of sediment in the Lower Fox, this portion of the river never developed to the extent of the Lo wer Fox. In order for large steamboats to pass through the shallow and crooked channel, the U.S. Government preformed periodic dredging operations until 1922. This area is now a popular summer destination and an important farming region.
 Our Segment 4b Sponsor is North American Hydro of Neshkoro, WI!. Here is a link to photos of the segment by Steve Wagner.
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Segment 5a: White River Dam to Berlin
Saturday June 26 - 8:00 a.m.
(13 miles) This segment flows through the wetlands of Green Lake County. Naturalists, birders and casual observers will find hundreds of species of birds, plant and wildlife. A s we paddle, we will see where the White River and Puchyan River converge with the Fox. At 13 miles, this is a longer paddle so please be prepared with plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and a snack to eat along the way. Camping is available Saturday night at Riverside Park in Berlin, WI.
 A free band is scheduled to play in Berlin on Saturday night and a local church picnic will be serving pulled pork sandwiches. Our sponsor for this segment is Community Health Network.
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Segment 5b: Berlin to Omro
Sunday June 27 - 8:00 a.m.
 (13.7 miles) This segment is Part 2 of the longest weekend of paddling in the series. It starts in Berlin, where fur trading isn’t just part of history, and passes through the  early industrial and trading communities of Sacramento, Eureka and Omro. We’ll go near the area where Wisconsin’s nationleading cranberry industry was born and finish at Miller Park in Omro.
Our sponsor for this segment were the Fox River Runners of Omro, who welcomed the group at Miller's Park with smiles, refreshments and great conversation! 
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Segment 6: Omro to Terrells Island
Sunday July 18 - 8:30 a.m.
(5.2 miles one way) This Segment, began at Miller Park in the charming City of Omro. Nearly 40 paddlers waited for a short thunderstorm to pass before venturing downstream in what became another beautiful paddle, with eagles, osprey, cormorants and  many, many American Pelicans.
This segment had a specific destination - Terrell’s Island in Lake Butte des Morts. Its past was as an expansive wetlands at the confluence of the Fox and Wolf rivers, rich with diverse plant, bird and fish species. In a 12-year experiment, the Lake Butte des Morts Conservation Club and the Wisconsin DNR have been restoring that diversity by enclosing 630 acres of wetlands in a 2.8-mile breakwall. DNR biologist Art Techlow discussed the project’s history and its successes, and provided a broader background on changes in the water depth and resulting characteristics of Lake Winnebago and upstream waters after construction of dams in Neenah and Menasha raised water levels as much as three feet.
Our sponsors for this segment were the Fox River Runners and the Omro Area Chamber of Commerce. The Fox River Runners sent us off graciously with pastries and refreshments!
Photos of this segment are provided courtesy of Dave and Jean Horst. and by the Oshkosh Northwestern.
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Registration and Sponsorship
Event fees are $10 per segment for participants 16 years old and older; no charge for participants under age 16 with an adult. All participants must submit a completed registration form and adult or minor ACA liability waiver. Want to paddle all weekends? A "season pass" for all 13 segments / nine weekends is available for $90, a $40 savings!
Registration fee covers the ACA daily event fee for non-ACA members. Registration is available on-site. To expedite registration, print the registration form and liability waivers below, complete them and bring them with payment to the launch site.
Sponsorship opportunities are available per segment. Sponsors will be recognized on the event documents and on this website for the segments they sponsor and will also have the opportunity to provide marketing or promo materials to participants. Please contact Dan Reinhold for more information on event sponsorship by email at dreinhold@frk.com.
Overall Trip Map
Boats and Gear Notes
Who should participate? What kind of boat will I need? What kind of gear?
The paddle segments in this journey vary in length from 5 to 15 miles. Although there will not be any whitewater on the route, there may be waves from wind and boat wake. There may be some very cold water, particularly in April and May and later in the summer there may be high concentrations of algae. The individual segments are intended to be suitable for paddlers of all experience levels who are in reasonably good shape and capable of maintaining a relatively high degree of activity for several hours.
A variety of canoe and kayak types are suitable for this trip, but those that are designed to track in a relatively straight line without excessive course correction will work best. Generally, these are boats of at least 12 feet in length. The group’s average travel speed is usually about 2.5 miles per hour. The group will travel together down the river with occasional rest breaks or to observe points of interest.
Gear should include appropriate clothing, plenty of water, sunblock and a snack. Dressing for paddling should always consider water temperatures in case of capsize. Synthetic or other wick-dry materials are most comfortable in water environments; cotton holds water and can result in even a little water from splashing or rainfall making you cold and uncomfortable for the entire trip. A dry bag with a change of clothing is always a good idea!
Although rainfall will not, by itself, cancel a planned segment, the threat or presence of lightning will require cancellation or force the group off the water until it passes. Please contact trip organizers if you have questions on these issues!
Canoe/ Kayak Rental Options
The following outfitters may be able to provide canoe rental services. Please call Tom Young at (920) 727-1285 for more information.
Rendezvous Paddle and Sports
Montello, WI (608) 297-2444
www.rendezvouscanoe.com
Indian Trails Campground & Fox Trail Outfitters
Pardeeville WI (608) 429-3244
www.indiantrailscampground.com
Crawfish Canoe Rentals
Columbus, WI (920) 623-2047
Wolf River Trips
New London, WI (920) 982-2458
www.woldfirvertrips.com
Rutabaga Paddlesport
Madison, WI (608) 223-9300
www.rutabaga.com
Mecan River Outfitters
Princeton, WI (920) 295-3439
www.mecanriveroutfitters.com
Lake of the Woods Campground
Dakota WI (920) 787-3601
Blackhawk River Run
Mazomanie, WI (608) 643-6724
Acknowledgements
The volunteers planning this event represent several organizations with interests in the river, paddling, the history of the Fox River and environmental stewardship. Some of those groups include: Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway, North East Wisconsin Paddlers Inc. , Friends of the Fox , Fox of the River Voyageur Canoe LLC, the American Canoe Association, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and the Fox River Navigational System Authority.
In addition, several other individuals and organizations have contributed time and talent, presentations or services, coordination and support to help make this event successful for all participants.
For further information about this event or the planning meetings, please click HERE.