Devils River

Steven Dutch, Professor Emeritus, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

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	The burned out shell of a former hotel is a conspicuous landmark just south of Devils River on County R. The shell is historic and attractive, and nobody wants to see it demolished, but it is also a magnet for vandalism and drinking parties. There's periodic talk of both restoration and demolition.
	From the bridge over Devils River, outcrops can be seen in the stream bed on both sides. These views are east of the bridge.
	Below: views of a small fall west of the bridge.
	Left and below: upstream from the bridge are some small waterfalls with obvious control by jointing.
	A restored mill, now the focal point of a campground, is one of the most appealing features of this locality.
	The mill
	The office is an old log cabin.
	This silo, dated 1915, and other old farm buildings, are also on the site.
	Left and below are pictures of the old dam that once impounded water for the mill. Below right: upstream side of the dam showing the outlet to the millrace.
	Near the dam is a large dolomite erratic
	Left and below: the old millrace can be followed along the hillside to the concrete trough that finally fed water to the mill.
	Why "Devil's" River? Often the term arises from underground flow. Upstream from the dam the stream forms a wide, apparently isolated pool.
	However, the flow is not entirely subterranean. A small inlet stream enters from the far side of the pool. The large grassy mound is visible in both pictures.
	Thick glacial deposits cover the dolomite. A glacial lake occupied this valley during the Pleistocene and left these glaciolacustrine deposits.
	View north on County R across the valley of Devils River, looking toward Cooperstown.
	View south on County R across the valley of Devils River.

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Created 3 May 2002, Last Update 11 Jan 2020