Spring Creek, TN

Gauge Information

River Description

The putin and takeout are both on private land. The entire creek is bordered by private land, and some sections are viewable from houses. The land owners in the area live there because they like their privacy. Remember this if you are there. Be extremely respectful. Be quiet, drive slowly through the gorge, don't take your dog here. Under no circumstances should you be in view while changing. Access is ok now, let's keep it that way. If someone ruins my ability to paddle here I will seriously regret my decesion to post this run.

The creek is 2 miles of whitewater, 2 miles of moving flat water. It is in one of the most scenic gorges I have ever been in. It is runnable after basically any rain. At every level there is at least one nice playhole, usually several. The river holds water very well.

I don't think the putin and takeout Lat./Long. coordinates are correct, I will fix them soon. Also, pictures will be posted soon. If you have any please send them to me. srw8121@tntech.edu





Here are a few rules to protect access:


1. No changing in public, this is all private land.


2. Be discreet with beer.


3. No dogs.


4. Take out your trash, and someone elses. There is a ton of trash up here, bring a bag and help clean it up a little. I am sure this will help with our access.


5. Be quiet aroud the houses.


6. Drive slow in the gorge. There are painted signs that say 25mph, try to follow it.

Directions:

The putin is at Waterloo falls, put in above, at the pulloff, or below, by walking down the staircase.





Waterloo Falls is a 40 footer. It is runnable when the water is high. It has been run before.





Takeout: Head North out of Cookeville, TN, on Willow Ave (Exit 286 off I-40) You will travel about 5 miles out of Cookeville or so. You will enter Jackson County, then pass a school, and then a church. The road turns left, with a road heading straight. Take the road that is straight in front of you. After a mile the pavement ends, and then you head dwon into the gorge. Go all the way to the creek and turn right. Turn left at the split, across the bridge. Follow this road up the creek until you come to a house with a footbridge leading across the river. Park in the pulloff for the bridge. At the request of the landowner, leave a note on your dashboard that says "kayaking". His name is Gabe, and he is a nice guy. You can also use his boat ramp to take out on. Leave as few cars as possible here, and don't tear up the grass, or leave trash, or get naked, or drink beer, or leave you dog, or anything you wouldn't want someone doing in your front yard. Remember, this !





This is private property, and you have no right to be there. It is only by his kindness we are allowed to park there. There is no public access to this creek.





Putin: From the takeout head back the way you came, downstream. Keep following the road along the river, until you come to a road that heads right across a bridge. Turn and go over the bridge, heading up the road. Follow this road for several miles until you see Waterloo Falls Rd on your right. It angles off to the right, and uphill. Take this to the bottom of the hill and turn right on the gravel road just before the bridge. Take the right split, not the one with the gate, the next one. Park by the top of the falls. Either run the falls, or walk your boat back up the hill, turn down the road with the gate, carry around on the left side, follow the driveway down, turn left on the trail, and head down the metal staircase. This leads to the river just below the falls.





Putin to Cookeville, and I-40: Head back out to the paved road and turn right. Cross the bridge and continue to the stop sign. Merge with the road there, it will be Washington Ave back in Cookeville. Follow this road into town, and follow the signs to I-40. Tis will not be the same way you came in, but will work.