Crabtree Creek
Swanton, MD to Savage Reservoir
| Difficulty | III-IV+ |
| Length | 5.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 130 fpm |
| Gauge | Savage River Near Barton, Md |
| Flow Rate as of 34 minutes | 12 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 26, 2007 |
ATTENTION: As of March, 2007 Crabtree Creek might better be called OhCrapAnotherTree Creek. There are numerous trees requiring portaging and an equal number requiring careful attention to get beyond in a boat. A few are in bad spots around blind bends or midway through rapids after it is too late to easily stop. When in doubt scout to avoid problems.
This creek is hard to catch because the Savage River drainage lies in the rain shadow of the Allegheny Plateau. With snowmelt or a big rain, however, Crabtree Creek is well worth checking out by boaters with Class IV creeking skills.
The latest edition of West Virginia Wildwater - now called A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to West Virginia - includes a brief description of the last 1.8 miles. This description covers 6 miles from the confluence of the north and south forks to the reservoir. The creek has nonstop action and several Class IV stretches.
The Rapids:
The stream starts off flat and narrow - maybe 10 ft. wide - and has the feel of an oversized drainage ditch. The first half mile is easier, then the creek begins to tilt into a pretty rhodedendron and hemlock forest. Eddies are a premium throughout the run and from here you can expect constant Class III and Class IV action, with several blind corners, dops, tight moves. There are several long slalom rapids with multiple drops and three biggies that tend to sneak up on people. Watch out for wood and railroad related debris - the adjacent rail line dumped many cross ties down the banks along the creek.
Features worth noting include 6 railroad bridge crossings. The last bridge funnels the creekflow through a very long tube. Scout this from both ends before running through to make sure it is clear of debris. The end of the tunnel slants down a sloping sluiceway into a juicy hole (Class IV+). Midway through the run there is a large sloping ledge that drops about 10 feet (Class IV) and has an abr
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