Planter Creek
B) Hwy.519 to conf.w.Jackson Creek (2.2 miles)
| Difficulty | II-III+ |
| Length | 1.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 60 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 8, 2015 |
River Description
We are unsure of any specific attempts at boating this reach. On one (rather brief, almost drive-by) scout of it, we did see a couple of areas with continuous action (few eddies) and serious problems with downed trees (deadfall, snags, strainers). Running this reach would have to be with extreme caution, or . . . after spending time beforehand logging it out! It does look like it would be a great rush (if freed of wood).
So . . . has anyone else looked at this? Or run it? Add a comment or report! Let your fellow boaters know if this is a 'discovery' or a disaster!
River Features
Put In
Drainage area ~28 square miles.
The only inflow to Sunday Lake (besides the area immediately surrounding its shores) is an upper part of the Little Black River, which then flows out of the West end of the lake. At the NorthEast corner of Sunday lake, there is a spillway into a culvert which tunnels underground 0.3 miles, where Planter Creek emerges from the hillside along Hwy.28 immediately before passing under the highway about 2 miles upstream of our listed put-in for this lower section of that creek.
Because of this 'dual outlet' to Sunday Lake, it is extremely difficult to predict the conditions under which to find adequate flow in Planter Creek. Suffice to say, there has to be a LOT of water around!
Do not even think about trying to boat from our listed upper section to this lower one. The intervening stretch is full of deadfall, and no apparent good whitewater. Even from our listed put-in, it appears you are likely to suffer significant deadfall for the first 3/4ths-mile. (You may prefer to look at the alternate access.)
"Root Beer Falls"
Some of the maps have 'Root Beer Falls' labeled in this vicinity. Perhaps it is due to angle of the satellite view, or obstructions of view of this tiny stream, but there is no 'falls' apparent here. Perhaps it is here and obscured or not evident, or perhaps (like so many others) the label is misplaced from the actual falls. (Perhaps it is one of the drops on the upper stretch?)
RR Crossing
Be wary for the likelihood of accumulations of deadfall on the underpinnings of the bridge here.
Powerline Crossing
It may be possible/advisable to skip the upper stretch (of mostly deadfall and headaches) if you can find parking along Planter Road (or back at the T-intersection with Chippewa Drive), to carry in along these powerlines for a short (~1.2 mile), and perhaps less troublesome, stretch of this creek.
Railroad Embankment
The creek veers back South and encounters the railroad, running alongside the embankment for the next 1/3rd-mile. (At least along this stretch, it means peril from trees only from one side of the stream!)
Confluence, Jackson Creek
At the confluence, you will either paddle 230' upstream ( if reasonable against the current) on Jackson to the Planter Road bridge, or carry up the near shore.
Take Out
Trip Reports
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