The Continental Divide is a geological demarcation line that splits northern Wisconsin. North of the divide, rivers flow to Lake Superior and finally to the Atlantic Ocean, but these waterways are full of rapids and waterfalls that make river travel impossible. South of the divide, navigable rivers flow to the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Long Lake is the closest inland lake to this line. Along the Flambeau Trail, Native Americans and voyagers who endured the 45 mile portage from Lake Superior could load their goods into canoes at Long Lake and then use the easier canoe travel on rivers and lakes flowing south to Lac du Flambeau and beyond.