Minnehaha Creek

With all the rain this June, Minnehaha Creek is running like it hasn’t for years. It is a very fun canoe tour situated in the midst of the Twin Cities. You can check the level and if  150 cfs 0f water or more is being released from the lake you will have plenty of water for a tandem canoe, 100cfs for a solo. I came down last Sunday morning and it was beautiful. Of course, be prepared for trains, planes and automobiles and some urban flotsam and not always of a nautical origin. Shopping carts, baby strollers, whiskey bottles — they’re all part of the trip. I once counted and passed under sixty bridge decks from Lake Minnetonka to the Falls.  When water levels approach 300cfs some of these bridges can be a tight squeeze so be careful at high levels. Also, watch for strainers and fallen trees especially in the aftermath of this past weekend’s storms. In recent years many of the decapitating bridges have been replaced, including the double barrel culvert up near the source. That one used to be like playing miniature golf. You had to pick a hole. One of which squirted you down river the other of which was crimped and had the potential for a bad outcome. I could never remember which was which, but was always lucky. That obstacle was replaced with a nice causeway. But on Sunday it was clogged with logs that we needed to clear for a safe passage. Other than that, we had a good clean run from Burwell House to Edina Mills. Utne Park to Lake Nokomis is also a fine run (with one boni fide rapid) but I cannot vouch for clear passage as that area was hit harder by the recent storms and I have not been down it this week. The creek passes through many public parks, perfect for picnics, and even one restaurant (Taco Bell) with a canoe landing. It also passes through a couple golf courses and my daughter, Lara,  has a 20-year record of snagging 36 golf balls on a single pass. I have spotted deer, fox, coyote, mink, muskrats, beavers, waterfowl, turkey and many songbirds and raptors on my 25+ runs down the Minnehaha. Historic bridges, dark grottos, interesting architecture, odd odors, friendly turtles and cranky carp — it’s a fun and lively run. Spills are possible, so bring dry-bags and tie everything in. A water bottle, PFD and bus fare back to the put-in, and you are good to go.