Hickman Creek,

A) Brumfield Lane (Indian Falls) to 1268 Bridge (4 miles)

Usual Difficulty	II(III) (may vary with level)
Length	4 Miles

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
East and West Hickman Creek Combined
virtual-7845	200 - 1200 cfs	II(III)	00h59m	156 cfs (rc= -0.0 )

River Description

This section offers a number of decent rapids and at approximately 800-1000 cfs has several nice surfing waves. Three of the best of these waves are found just below the put-in and can be a park and surf option by walking back up a small branch just below the last wave. It should be noted, however, that the put-in actually has a series of four waves, with one of the four being a pretty sticky side surfing hole that is typically avoided. Unfortunately, at most levels there is not much eddy access, although better eddy access at is available at the final wave at levels below about 500 cfs.

Note: Recently I have been checking out the put-in waves at increasingly lower levels. There are one or two waves that offer some enjoyment at levels as low as 300 cfs, although it should be noted that "some enjoyment" is a relative description.

Overall, this section offers some good central Kentucky scenery, and the farmland views are similar to those found on Elkhorn Creek. Hickman Creek, however, is not as clean as the Elkhorn and the nice view is occasionally disrupted by trash lining the banks of the creek. It is also disheartening that one of the best high water surfs on the creek is also the site of a makeshift dump complete with floating trash in the service eddy when the water is up. Even with such downsides, this section offers a nice paddle, receives very little traffic, is an excellent training ground for beginner and novice paddlers, and often has at least a scrape after area rain due to the size of the watershed.

Your trip can be extended by putting in further upstream at either Elm Fork Road or at Black Bridge on KY 39, or by taking out at the Kentucky River. However, it is not recommended to put-in any further upstream than the park and surf wave above Elm Fork unless you are interested in a long tandem canoe ride.

KY River=580' Hwy.39=680