Gasper, KY

Easy Rider

Easy Rider
Photo of Seth Odell by Parson taken 2006-12-01 @ 2.5 feet

River Description

NAUSA has name correct but EPA-RF1 ID misspells this as the "Casper" River.

J. Allen Brown provides:
Ran the section from HWY 626 to U.S. HWY 231 on 05/29/04.

Distance 3.58 miles

Put in Directions: From I-65 take "Nat Hatcher" Toll Road North (AKA: Green River Pkwy/50 cents each way) turn onto U.S. Hwy 231 North go 3-4 miles take left on HWY 626 go 2 miles put in bridge is on your right at crossroad. (We parked river left downstream side of the bridge on the shoulder)

Take Out: go back to U.S. 231 take a left go 200 yds to bridge. (We parked river right downstream of bridge inside guardrails )

Shuttle Service: The man who lives at 1257 HWY 626 (between the bridges) said he would run shuttle for anyone. He did not mention a fee, but I am sure there is one. He has an orange cone on his fencepost next to his driveway. He said there is always someone home to run shuttle.

Gage: Inside HWY 626 left bridge pilling. Easier to see from river right. We ran it at 1 foot at that was a good level, but I wouldn't want to run it much lower. Unsure of high end, but it would be a lot more fun at high water. This needs a large rain event.

Description: The first 1.5 miles is consistent class I-II that would easily push to II-III at high water. The rapids have enough drop that I do not think they would wash out at high water, but I have not seen it yet. This section has rocks walls on alternating banks that makes a mini-gorge and creates good rapids. There is one rapid that creates a fantastic front surfing v-wave with a large eddy river right. There are some other interesting drops as well. This section would have great play at high water. I would say 3-5 significant rapids.(significant for non-mountain farm county) The remaining 2 miles are flat with some current. The bottom 2 miles have two riverwide strainers that have to be dealt with, but you can see them coming from far away. If you live in Nashville/Bowling Green area this is a great quick fix of whitewater. Gets some local traffic including tubers.

Thanks, J.Allen, for that description for at least part of this reach!