I’m looking forward to paddling Old Abe Lake Wednesday, a new body of water for me between the Cornell & Jim Falls dams. Old Abe Lake is a widening of the Chippewa River just above the Jim Falls dam.
I drove to our put-in today to look it over. There is plenty of parking for our typical Wed group size but the bathrooms are permanently closed due to misuse. There is a port-a-potty at the historical marker wayside 1/2 mile north of the Jim Falls bridge on hwy 178, just a 1/3 of a mile before the put-in.
After-paddle socializing could be at one of the 2 bar/restaurants right in Jim Falls, about 1 mile south of our put-in.
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Jim Falls History
Jim Falls was named in honor of James Ermatinger. In 1840, he established a trading post near the falls.
In spring of 1861, an Indian captured an eaglet near theFlambeau River. A few weeks later, he canoed down the Chippewa River on a trading expedition. At Jim Falls, he encountered Daniel McCann, to whom he sold the eagle for a bushel of corn. In turn, McCann sold the bird to soldiers of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The eagle became their mascot Old Abe, who accompanied them during many battles of the Civil War.
Because of this connection, the reservoir behind the dam is named "Old Abe Lake." Moreover, in a park on the Old Abe State Trail, which runs through the town, a 10½ foot statue of Old Abe has been erected near the dam.
Jim Falls Facts
-The Jim Falls Dam is the highest producer of hydroelectricity in the state of WI.
-The Jim Falls Dairy is the largest cheese cooperative based in the U.S.