At Kennedy Park, the next landmark, you will find virgin timber and a glimpse of Juneau County as it looked when it was first settled. The park has a boat launch, well pump water, outhouse facilities and camping.
To portage the dam, use the left bank. Below the dam, the rivers current slows and the stream begins to meander,. Webster Creek, a brook trout stream, enters on the right about 1 mile downstream. Approximately 1 mile beyond this point there is an opening in the trees which permits a view of the Panther Effigy Mounds. This is the stretch to Mauston and is a day trip. There are numerous trees in the river and is only recommended for experienced paddlers or adventurous obstacle seekers,
The Little Dells are rock formation found halfway between New Lisbon and Mauston.
When the current slows to almost nothing, you have arrived at the island-studded headwaters of Decorah Lake. The lake derives its name from a prominent Ho-Chunk family that live in the area. During World War I, 35 of the Decorah family enlisted in the Army.
You may take out at the Outdoors Forever public boat landing located off Hwy 12 & 16 about 1.5 miles west of Mauston. Paddle further around the hilly headland, known locally as Little Bluff, or at the public boat landing at Riverside Park on the right shoreline in Mauston. There are covered picnic shelters, flush toilets and park playground equipment.
The dam at Mauston was built in 1842 to run a sawmill cutting the pine logs harvested along the rivers edges. Today the Mill is gone and the spill way is present. It is not recommended to portage close to this site. Use extreme caution and exit prior the location. Public landings are available on both sides of the river below this site.
The Lemonweir River becomes even more winding as it continues from Mauston to its confluence with the Wisconsin River. The river banks remain heavily wooded all along the route and there is little noticeable home development. Country Cruisin' Kayaks and Canoes are outfitters in Mauston and offer a variety of paddle packages.
The current below the dam in Mauston is quite fast and during flood stage it is never recommended to be on the water. In normal conditions the river flows downstream at an enjoyable pace. Approximately 1 mile the One Mile Creek enters the river on the right bank. This creek is a brown trout stream. Continuing the paddle you will travel under the Interstate bridge.
The Lemonweir Millpond will be your first take-out if you so choose. The Millpond was formed by an old mill dam built in l852 for the first flouring mill in Juneau County. The town of Lemonweir surrounding the millpond was a platted village built on hopes of overtaking much of the trade in the area. However, the placement of the railroad line through Mauston in 1857 put an end to that dream. The grist mill closed in l930's and the power plant maintained by Wisconsin Power and Light Co. closed in 1950. A stone quarry at this site provided stone for many of the buildings in Mauston and the surrounding area. The dam has been removed and a public boat landing is available. There are sand bars in the Millpond area and it is also a popular fishing spot. The Lemonweir Township Hall is just up the road a block and offers a variety of information regarding the area for prospective home ownership and business adventures.
Sevenmile Creek joins the Lemonweir River about 1 1/4 miles downstream.
