Mole Creek
Heritage Court to Ozaukee Interurban Trail Bridge (1.07 mile)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Gauge | Menomonee River at Menomonee Falls, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 2 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 12, 2024 |
River Description
Shuttle: 1.1 mile/3 minutes
Mostly a 'stupid boater tricks' microcreek run, this little creek drops 20' in the final 1/3rd mile before its confluence with the Milwaukee River, making an 'effective gradient' of 60 FPM. However, this creek is proof that gradient does not always translate into whitewater. While the current will be constant, there really aren't any meaningful features.
With drainage area of 9.58 square miles (at the culvert under Cedar Creek Road) this will have water only after considerable rains, and will most often run out within a day (or within hours!).
Something this tiny is very likely to have a problem with deadfall and snags, so proceed with caution, ready to scramble for whatever eddies you can find. (A trip down it in June of 2022 resulted in only one portage and maybe 3-4 other locations which required skillful maneuvering to get over, under, around, or through deadfall, snags, or overhanging brush.)
Put-in is from paved path between houses at Heritage Court and Prairie Run. All land between the paved path and the creek is part of 'Heritage Settlement Park'. Please be respectful of the private properties and do your best not to disturb any more than necessary as you find a spot to launch.
Take-out will be about 1/4th mile downstream of the confluence on the Milwaukee River, under powerlines at the Ozaukee Interurban multiuse trail.
River Features
Cedar Creek Road (Culvert)
There should be plenty of clearance passing through this culvert, as well as (immediately downstream) passing under a bridge for a paved walkway/bikeway.
9th Avenue (culvert)
There should be plenty of clearance passing through this culvert..
PRIVATE PROPERTY BEGINS HERE
From the put-in until this point, land immediately around the creek has been public (Village of Grafton). From here down to the confluence, BOTH SHORES are PRIVATE PROPERTY!
Railroad
Largely just a waypoint, and a sign that you have reached the final steepest (such as it is) 0.2 miles to the confluence.
N.Green Bay Road (CTH.O)
The finale is just downstream.
Take-out
After the confluence, a quarter-mile paddle downstream on the Milwaukee River brings you to powerlines and a bridge (for the Ozaukee Interurban multi-use trail) overhead. Land immediately either side is a public easement. Carry out to the street.
Parking is available either streetside on Northbrooke Drive, or (with a bit longer carry, ~285 yards from the water to the parking lot) at the Grafton Family Aquatic Center adjacent to Meadowbrook Park.
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