March 1, 2017 - Added the "Locals Guide" to Navigating Stillwater

Post date: Mar 02, 2017 3:29:30 AM

Thanks to a long time Beaver River resident, I now have the full list of the "Locals Guide" to navigating Stillwater Reservoir. I've posted the full list of directions below. I've also created a path in Google Earth as best I could from the directions. Although I admit I probably wasn't the best person to do it, as I may have given a bit of a bias because I used measurements in Google Earth, and I have a working knowledge of the reservoir. I would be interested in seeing the bread-crumb trails from 10 different attempts at following the route in a boat, from people who have never been to Stillwater. The routes might end up being quite different. I've been wanting a copy of these directions just in case my mobile device goes kaput while on the water. At least I have something to fall back on.

I have to say, in my opinion, it is a very effective and safe route! That being said, there are a lot of caveats to keeping it safe and effective while on the water. You have to be able to judge distances on the water quite accurately (something I have problems with) and keep all this information in your memory. You need to master it while under the tutelage of someone experienced in following the route, so they can correct your mistakes and fine tune your approach lines so you can develop a "feel for the route". Finally, it only works if you're going between the Stillwater docks, and the Beaver River docks. I suppose you could have more lists of directions for wherever you want to go, but in my opinion, the difficulty of keeping all that memorized skyrockets.

What happens if you get caught in fog? Or need to make a trip on a moonless night in an emergency? Or you just want to take another path to some other destination you've never been? I know several locals who know the reservoir like the back of their hand and probably (or already has) achieved some of those feats. I guess I know it very well now too, but from a "top down" perspective. It's an entirely different world when you're on the water. This past summer, I was completely useless without my device and data. I suppose that could improve with practice, and maybe a few sacrificial props.

The Guide

Instructions in red font are indicating known hazards with an increasing risk as the water level drops.

1. Head straight off the Stillwater dock for 300 yards

2. Turn north then head for the 3rd mountain peak on the North Shore.

At this point you are headed directly towards “Gull Rock” that is underwater in the spring so be sure to pay close attention to step #3.

3. Line up with the small white boat house on the Stillwater shore to your back and head east keeping a straight line towards the 1st large island with vegetation.

4. Slow down - Keep approx. 100 yards from the 1st island with veg & follow the contour of the north side of the island to the midpoint of the island.

5. Turn left (north) & head for the western tip of 2nd large island (“T” Island).

Make a mental line and follow it as close as possible, there are many hazards to the northeast if you get off course.

6. OK to speed back up - You can get real close to the south side of this island (20 – 40 yards) then head east to “Twin Pine Island”. This is the large island to the east, about 1 mile away & very close to the south shore.

7. Approx. 300 yards from the western tip of Twin Pine Island mark a path following the contour of the island while heading east.

8. At this point you are in Stanton’s Meadows (not many hazards) – get into the center of the flow & continue to head east until you near Picnic Point off the South Shore.

9. Stay approx. 100 yards from the South Shore as you continue east rounding Picnic Point.

The water gets very shallow very quickly if too close to picnic point – the good news is – it’s all sand!

10. Slow down - Head towards the large pine tree at campsite #29 on the South Shore. At approx. 100 Yards before this pine tree, start turning towards the north shore.

Between picnic point and the Burnt Lake Entrance there is a large submerged island with hidden stumps, not visible until lower water. You risk hitting a stump if you go left (north) too quickly before the above listed turning point.

11. Stay approx. 100 yards away from and follow the contour of the north shore up the flow.

12. Approx. 1 mile up the North shore you will see a point where the reservoir gets much wider, just past campsite #24. You will also see a very large island to the right “Big Island” – head to the center point of the western shore of this island.

13. Slow down - Stay approx. 150 yards from this island & turn sharply towards the South Shore. You will see another round island “Grassy Island” (real close to you) then a long slender island to its right – head to the opening just between these two islands – stay to just right of center going through this opening.

14. Not too close but follow the contour of the west side of “Grassy Island” all the way around until you have a clear path to the Beaver River Boat Dock. Go really slow and prepare for hazards. It gets really tricky with rocks & stumps rounding “Grassy Island” as the water level drops.