Allen Creek
Evansville: Lake Leota to Madison Street (0.25-0.8 mile)
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 0.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Permit | |
| Gauge | Badger Mill Creek at Verona, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 8 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 16, 2024 |
River Description
On the NorthEast edge of Evansville lies Leonard Leota Park. As Allen Creek flows out of Lake Leota, it spills over two arched dams and across a series of small weirs in the next quarter-mile in a park. Scouting this short stretch should be easy and highly advised, since the river-banks in this area are vertical rock walls. At times of sufficient flow, there may be some interesting waves and possible play, but if there's a problem (if any of the weirs, at some level, might become a bit 'keepy'), you'd have no way of avoiding them.
True whitewater boaters (intent solely on the action) will likely just do the quarter-mile in the park (if they find it at a level which actually looks entertaining). Those looking for a slightly longer paddle might continue downriver, where there will be swiftwater and minor rapids for about 0.8 mile in town. While it is certainly possible to continue downstream of Water Street, expect to find little more than swiftwater and (more relevantly) some major deadfall and snags.
A video of this creek (at 32 cfs on the Badger Mill gauge) is available on YouTube. That paddler continued well downstream of the park, encountering deadfall and snags.
River Features
Drainage: 22.7 square miles
As calculated by USGS StreamStats (V.4.3.8), drainage at the dams (outlet of Lake Leota) is 22.7 square miles.
Since there is no USGS gauge on Allen Creek, we reference the gauge on Badger Mill Creek (17.8 miles to the NW) where draingage is listed as 20.3 square miles, thus flow in Allen Creek could (on average) be just a tad more than gauge shows. Of course, correlation is not assured.
Put In
You'll want to have a look at the curved dams which form the outlet to Lake Leota to decide if it is feasible to put in above them or if you need to put in below them.Putting in below may require a seal startfromthelawnintothe(likely shallow) creek, or (alternatively) setting your boat at the edge, lowering yourself into the creek, grabbing your boat to put it in the water, then trying to get in before being swept away. Good luck!
Take Out
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