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Rockcastle, KY

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Beech Creek to Bee Rock Campground (5 miles) (Lower Rockcastle)

Class III-IV
5 Miles
Avg Gradient 11 fpm

Running the Narrows


Running the Narrows
Photo of Andy taken Summer 2001 @ 400 cfs ?

Gauge Information

Rockcastle
Beech Creek to Bee Rock Campground (5 miles) III-IV
low
16.00
10/11 13:30
[detail]

Min Sug. Level:  200

River Description

Classic Cumberland Plateau boating. This narrow river has sections of whitewater to give any capable boater goose bumps. The narrows section is representative of the boulder choked, undercut, and sieved rapid-pool style whitewater associated with the Cumberland Plateau.

Class IV Beech Narrows is the only non-read-and-run rapid, making this 5 mile section of whitewater perfect for all skill levels. While remote and wild this section also has trails following the river on both sides eventually ending downstream at Bee Rock Campground.

The Rockcastle Narrows sections becomes very pushy and has a bigger water feel at levels above 1000 CFS. Bring your reliable roll when paddling this remote section of whitewater beauty.

In January 2007 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an emergency drawdown of Lake Cumberland, which the Rockcastle is a tributary of. This drawdown of 30-60 feet depending on what time of the year it is ensures that the entire Lower Narrows sections will not be covered by the lake like it is most of the year. The project to repair the dam, the reason for the drawdown, is expected to take 2-7 years depending upon the sucess and progress of the project.

Here is a map of the Rockcastle whitewater section. It shows the old put in and take out along with routes of the whitewater run and the shuttle.


StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2007-05-01 13:10:12

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 76

Running the Narrows


Running the Narrows  Rockcastle KY
(57.74KB .jpeg)

Running the Narrows


Running the Narrows  Rockcastle KY
(23.87KB .jpeg)

Spanker tries to surf in the middle of Stairstep


Spanker tries to surf in the middle of Stairstep  Rockcastle KY
(238.50KB .jpeg)

KY, Rockcastle River, Stairstep


KY, Rockcastle River, Stairstep  Rockcastle KY
(2.41MB .mov)

Beech Narrows 01


Beech Narrows 01  Rockcastle KY
(107.89KB .jpeg)

Beech Narrows 02


Beech Narrows 02  Rockcastle KY
(92.72KB .jpeg)

John at Beech Narrows


John at Beech Narrows  Rockcastle KY
(68.76KB .jpeg)

KY, Beech Narrows, John Mathews runs in the Blue Hole


KY, Beech Narrows, John Mathews runs in the Blue Hole  Rockcastle KY
(2.99MB .mov)

KY, Rockcastle, Swim at Beech Narrows


KY, Rockcastle, Swim at Beech Narrows  Rockcastle KY
(2.23MB .mov)

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Gauge

Gauge Description:

The gauge at Billows is several miles upstream of the whitewater section.

Rockcastle River at Billows [ KY ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
0.91 16 10/11 13:30

Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
KY Buck Creek— KY 461 to Cumberland R. (34 miles) II 16 cfs*   low 10/11 13:30
KY Rockcastle— Beech Creek to Bee Rock Campground (5 miles) III-IV 16.00   low 10/11 13:30

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:1703
USGS Station:03406500
HUC:05130102
Latitude:37.1711
Longitude:-84.2961
Class:4

WXPort

News





icon of message No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.

User Comments
2008-07-10 08:49:49 (93 days ago)
Jason FoleyDetails
As of 7-2-08 there is no wood in Beech Narrows or any of the rapids in the lower narrows. We removed a large riverwide log from the bottom of Guy's Surprise as well making the whole run clean
2008-05-10 06:37:05 (154 days ago)
Kevin BlackDetails
Just to note. Took the wife down below Bee Rock to London dock in her Otter @ 325cfs. If you want a good canoe/recreational/beginning kayaker run, this one is good. Several swift shoals and wavetrains to play in with one small hole mid-river towards the end of the run.
2007-08-17 10:35:32 (421 days ago)
Spalding HurstDetails
http://www.vimeo.com/163413 That is video of the entire lower narrows section shot on March 31, 2007 at 460cfs
Add a Comment

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
-1.0StairstepsII+Photo
0.0Put-inPutin Access Photo
0.1Beech NarrowsIVPhoto
1.2Lower NarrowsIII+
1.3The Turn / S-turn (A, B, C)II+Photo
1.6Lower Narrows the Drops # 1IIIPhoto
1.7Lower Narrows the Drops # 2IIIPhoto
1.8Lower Narrows the Drops # 3 & 4 aka TeethIII+Photo
1.9Drop # 5 aka Cry BabyIIIHazard Photo
1.9Drop # 5 aka Cry BabyIIIHazard Photo
2.2Guy's SurpriseIIIPhoto
3.0Take out - Bee Rock CampgroundTakeout
3.2Sublimity Bridge RapidPhoto

Rapid Descriptions

Stairsteps (Class II+, Mile -1.0)

Stairsteps

Stairsteps
Photo of Spalding Hurst by Jay Thomas taken 6/9/06 @ 310cfs

Wave train right down the middle with a couple of nice surfs thrown in. Spalding Hurst contributes: Very fun. Run multiple times, portage back up on river left, it's easier.

Put-in

Rockcastle Trail marker

Rockcastle Trail marker
Photo of Rockcastle Beech Narrows putin trail head by Jason Foley taken 3/2007

A 25 minute park and hike-in shuttle takes the old monster drive/shuttle out of play. It is the 503 Trail that also connects to the 529 trail at Bee Rock Campground making the shuttle completely hikeable (~50 minutes). This completely takes out all the flat water sections of the Rockcastle except that between Beech and Lower Narrows.

From Bee Rock take 192 west two miles then turn right onto Close Rd. Two (2) miles in be on the lookout for orange diamond shaped trail markers(labled 503) on the trees about 8 feet up on the left side of the road. Parking is immediately ahead on both sides of the road. Park off the road as there is regular traffic here. Never block road gates in the National Forest they are there for emergency purposes.

Beech Narrows (Class IV, Mile 0.1)

Rockcastle Narrows

Rockcastle Narrows
Photo of Guy Cottle by Duane Cottle taken July 2004 @ 750

Meaty pourover in the middle as a main line with alternate lines on the right and left. Undercuts galore downstream. Always scout as this one is different each time you see it. Spalding Hurst contributes: Alright to run at very low levels like 140cfs. 300cfs and up the rapid is mean. At a high level there may be a left side chute available. Portage on the left.

Lower Narrows (Class III+, Mile 1.2)
The Lower Narrows begins here at the sharp right hand turn in the river. From a distance it appears the river ends. This section greatly varies in its difficulty depending on water levels.

The Turn / S-turn (A, B, C) (Class II+, Mile 1.3)

Rapid B Downstream

Rapid B Downstream
Photo of Jay Thomas by Spalding Hurst taken 6/9/06 @ 310cfs

A series of 3 sucessive class II drops that alternate in direction. Pictured is the middle drop looking into the third.

Lower Narrows the Drops # 1 (Class III, Mile 1.6)

Steven in the first drop

Steven in the first drop
Photo of Steven Cottle by Duane Cottle taken 7/2006 @ 375

This is where the narrows starts picking up and the fun begins. At high water this one and the next 3 drops are all one rapid.

Lower Narrows the Drops # 2 (Class III, Mile 1.7)

Rapid 02 Downstream resized

Rapid 02 Downstream resized
Photo by Spalding Hurst taken 6/9/06 @ 310cfs

Spalding Hurst Contributes: This one looks mean, even meaner from scouting above it on a rock. But, it is very straight forward. There is a tongue to ride straight down it. It is a big drop and can be run on the left or right of center, but we all preferred left of center.

Lower Narrows the Drops # 3 & 4 aka Teeth (Class III+, Mile 1.8)

Rapid 04 (lower narrows)

Rapid 04 (lower narrows)
Photo of Spalding Hurst by Jay Thomas taken 4/1/06 @ 350cfs

Spalding Hurst contributes: Rapid 03 (II+) This a entrance rapid for the next one. It's small ledge drop, you have to catch an eddy on the right or left afterwards to setup for the next rapid.

Rapid 04 (III) Last big rapid of the narrows. There is sneak along the left that is shallow and rocky but bypasses the big meat of the rapid. Run the meat in the center, right of a rock that sticks up and run it towards the left at the drop. The drop is diagonal with a large hole on the right. AVOID river right on this rapid, it is severely undercut and sieved

Drop # 5 aka Cry Baby (Class III, Mile 1.9)

Duane at Drop 5

Duane at Drop 5
Photo of Duane Cottle by Jason Foley taken 3/11/07 @ 650

Wave train of alternating diagonal waves/holes. Watch for OS rocks on the right and the funky water about half way down. This is the end of the continuous section of the lower narrows. There are pinning spots galore in this rapid so beware. At levels 400 and below there is a large rock in the center of the washout.

Drop # 5 aka Cry Baby (Class III, Mile 1.9)

Duane at Drop 5

Duane at Drop 5
Photo of Duane Cottle by Jason Foley taken 3/11/07 @ 650

Wave train of alternating diagonal waves/holes. Watch for OS rocks on the right and the funky water about half way down. This is the end of the continuous section of the lower narrows. There are pinning spots galore in this rapid so beware. At levels 400 and below there is a large rock in the center of the washout.

Guy's Surprise (Class III, Mile 2.2)

In the top of Guys Surprise

In the top of Guys Surprise
Photo of Jason Foley by Duane Cottle taken 3/11/07 @ 650

Drop in the middle or boof right on the left side. Under Lake Cumberland most of the year, this is a surprise drop after the lower narrows have ended and a short flatwater paddle makes you think you have made it to the end. Until you look downstream at ... a Channeled drop leading into successive holes at the bottom above 600 cfs. Below that level the main hole(Big and perfect for play) is gone. The takeout at Bee Rock is a very short distance from here. At high water there are offset holes and waves.

Take out - Bee Rock Campground
Located on Highway 192 between London and Somerset, KY. Quality Parking on the river right past the campground at the 503 trailhead or on river left on down a few hundred feet. Both sides are part of Bee Rock Campground.

Sublimity Bridge Rapid

Sublime moment

Sublime moment
Photo of Duane Cottle by Guy Cottle? @ medium

Past the boat ramp take out is the small bridge that crosses the river down stream. There is also a rapid underneath. This gives you a few hundred feet more past the normal takeout.


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