Spring Creek kayak, canoe launch open in Brillion

Nov. 5, 2020

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

BRILLION – When the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) helped the City of Brillion clear out the Spring Creek marsh, there was one caveat to the agreement.

“The DNR would bring out this Swamp Devil unit, they would do some dredging in the marsh to get us water flow out of town, but in exchange, our end of the deal was to put in something that would promote use of that channel to keep activity in the channel to keep it open,” Brillion Public Works Director Andy Geiger said.

A kayak and canoe launch off of Glenview Avenue near the corner of Tesch Street is now in place for citizens to use Spring Creek for their pleasure. The ability to use that channel has depended on the water levels.

A previously discussed idea for motorboats in the channel could not be possible.

“The water level dropped so much after they did the dredging that type of boating equipment really wasn’t going to be an option but it is very doable for kayaks and canoes and that type of equipment,” Geiger said.

The idea for a kayak and canoe launch was born and now a drive down Glenview Avenue looks a little different.

“We put a driveway in there, we put a parking lot in there,” Geiger said.

The launch now available for the community was made possible by the community.

“Jason Hartl and his family … He did the assembly of it, he got all the materials, he did the installation of it,” Geiger said.

During a recent visit to the launch point, Hartl, and his wife, Julie, and kids, Trevor, Aiden and Katelin, said it would be “a great addition to the community.” The Brillion Chamber of Commerce also donated to make the launch possible.

“Between the two of them, they made it happen in terms of the cost of putting the launch,” Geiger said.

Public use

The channel is open to the public, but Geiger advises some caution.

“There are times when we are in low water conditions that you might not get out real far because of the muck in the marsh,” Geiger said. “The mud out there, the muck, is extremely soupy. There’s typically a bottom to it but it may typically look like the water is only two inches deep and by that point you might be in up to your chest.”

The spot can be ideal for kayak and canoers.

“The only caution, I would say, is if it looks like you can’t get through, you probably can’t. If you feel like you’re starting to drag bottom you should back up and turn around. There are open waters out there. It’s when we’re in somewhat of a higher water situation, it’s a phenomenal little kayak ride out there and you can go all over the place,” Geiger said.

When kayak and canoers do go farther out, they should know where they are going, Geiger says.

Please see the complete story, including how the dredging of the creek has helped the city with flooding, in the Nov. 5, 2020 edition of The Brillion News.