Duck River
Old Stone Fort
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 0 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 100 fpm |
| Gauge | Duck River Below Manchester, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 59 minutes | 58 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 1, 2011 |
River Description
The Old Stone Fort is located on a peninsula created by the confluence of the Duck River and the Little Duck River (the section of the Duck River upstream from its confluence with the Little Duck is sometimes called 'Barren Fork'). The Duck River system spills over a limestone-rich shelf of the western Cumberland Plateau known as the Highland Rim. As the Duck and Little Duck approach their convergence, they rapidly drop in elevation, and have cut relatively deep gorges around the peninsula upon which the Park is located.
The first people to have run this in kayaks are Justin Owen and Steven Wright. I originally found out about this run because of a post on a blog at Jackson Kayak by Justin found here: http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2011/01/24/justin-owens-duck-river-drops/ .
Everything can be scouted from the trail on river left, there is no reason to not scout these drops before you boat. Quite a few of these drops land on rock shelf and it is recomended that you come at low water to scout the rock so you know where to run.These rapids come and go at different water levels, but Big Falls has been run down to 300cfs and still goes. It is a bit of a hit at this level. At higher levels there become several low head dams and should be avoided unless you are feeling luckly. It is completely non commiting and is a very good park and huck that does not take a bunch of time.
River Features
Put In
Dam Rapid
This is a old Dam that can be run on the far river right at higher levels. The best way to scout this one is to putin above the dam and paddle accross the lake to the shore on the other side.
Ape Line
Ape Line ~20 stair step drop that pushes you into an slightly undercut wall by a leftward side current. Point boat about 10 oclock and paddle hard to keep from being swept into under cut at level above 900 cfs. Below that, just hold on and roll up no worries. Scout this one when you scout the Dam Rapid.
River left of Ape Line
Middle Line : This is a series of drops that channel in the middle. Pretty straight forward. scout from river right on trail.
River Left Line : It looks like a great boof, but sadly lands on rock shelf that extend 3 feet out from the base. It may go at huge level but I have not seen it be done.
Boof above Big Falls
Photo taken at 800 cfs
Big Falls
Run in different places on river left depending on flow.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportA friend and I were here on April 28, 2013 with plans to run the falls, and the river was at approximately 2200 CFS. At this level the holes for all of the drops are really chunky and look very retentive. Th undercut on the 'Ape Line' also appeared nasty as well. Lines were present, but you should definitely exercise extreme caution if you plan to make an attempt at that level.
On river right it stair steps down into the area above Big Falls and you. In the middle most of the rapid lands on rock. The preferred line is boofing off the rock on river left.
This can be run on river right at higher levels.
this line was said to be clean and they did not land on rock.
These falls look like an awesome boof, but they land on rock, I would only attempt to run if the levels are very high. Please scout at low water before you attempt.
This is just down stream of the Dam rapid on river right.
Undercut wall after Ape Line, You will wash out if you wait it out.
Big Falls around 250cfs
Big Falls around 250cfs
Shot below final drop at Big Falls