Malcolm Wallop Park to Padlock Ranch

Class at average July flow: 2
Length: 7.23 miles
Average drop/mile: 10.8ft/mile
Average CFS in July: ~140 CFS
Float time at average CFS: 3-5 hours
Drive distance between launch and land: 4.4 miles
Straight line distance between launch and land: 3.95 miles

About This Float Segment:

This section is where Big Goose Creek starts to become more lazy as you float out of Malcolm Wallop Park. Don’t let the lazy water fool you, as this section has many tight corners with limited sight lines and is known for overhanging branches, streamers, and fallen trees. The dense urban environment gives way to open agricultural landscapes. As you wind your way downstream, you will be treated to views of the mountain peaks before floating back in to thick trees and willows. A nearby railroad track will occasionally bring a passing train to remind you of how peaceful and relaxing it is out on the water. You will pass under one foot bridge, Interstate 90, one private vehicle bridge, and two highway bridges before you reach the Padlock Ranch Access landing, immediately on river left after the last bridge.

Quick and Dirty:

Known hazards: Overhanging trees and tight bends make sweepers and strainers common. Agricultural fences occasionally appear.
Wildlife: Eagles, hawks, falcons, buzzards, ducks, geese, cormorants, box turtles, soft shelled turtles, snapping turtles, minks, beavers, muledeer, antelope, and black bears.
Vegetation: Cottonwood (Populus tremuloides), Willow (Salix spp.), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), Wild Rose (Rosa spp.), Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Access Sites 10-1:

Download Tongue River Water Trail Map

Launch

GPS Location: 44.82900, -106.95965
Side of waterway: River right
Flow description at site: Slower moving s-curve transition, deeper
Ease of access: Moderate slope launch/landing area, moderate slope to staging area.
Staging area: Large gravel area about 20ft from the water with direct access to parking.
Parking: Grass lot, moderate space.
Amenities: None

Landing

GPS Location: 44.88291, -106.98771
Side of waterway: River left
Flow description at site: Slower moving straight, deeper
Ease of access: Gentle to moderate slope launch/land area with sheer bankside, step slope to staging area.
Staging area: Large grassy area about 20ft from the water with direct access to parking.
Parking: Grass lot, moderate space.
Amenities: None

History

Shinazburo Ban was the Japanese businessman behind S. Ban & Company that was a labor contractor company instrumental in bringing people of Japanese ancestry to the United States to work for railroad companies and in the mines. The 1898 annexation of Hawaii was the boom to this labor contractor’s business that allowed Japanese workers to travel freely to the US mainland. For the service of the S. Ban & Company, Ban collected a commission of ten cents a day for each worker. There were four branch offices of S. Ban & Company in Portland, Oregon; Denver, Colorado; Ogden, Utah; and Sheridan, Wyoming. Once the Japanese workers arrived at one of the branches of the company, Ban provided housing and transportation as well as connecting the workers to the hiring companies. In Sheridan, the S. Ban & Company building was located on North Crook Street and unmarried Japanese men roomed at the Japanese boarding houses. The San Yo Hotel, later known as Sumida House, and J. Hosaki’s Japanese Hotel both were located at the north end of Sheridan near the railroad tracks. The contractor also provided medical care and for funerals for any workers and their family members during the time of employment. Death imposed upon the Japanese population ranged from accidents to a variety of illnesses. During this timeframe, the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918 was prevalent in Sheridan County. Those who died in the Japanese community were buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery now known as Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Tall stone markers etched with Japanese characters are in their resting places. Railroad runs along the creek, part of commute to Acme.