Scarham Creek
Double Bridges to Short Creek
| Difficulty | III+(V) |
| Length | 2.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 67 fpm |
| Gauge | Scarham Creek Near Mcville, Al |
| Flow Rate as of 7185 days | 0 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 13, 2021 |
River Description
Scarham Creek holds a number of enjoyable rapids between the Shoal Creek confluence at Double Bridges and its confluence with Short Creek, a little over 2 miles downstream. On its own, the short length and lack of easily lapable rapids leave one wishing for more; a combination with upper Scarham or Shoal Creek is recommended to flesh out the run. Class III boulder gardens dominate the creekbed, most of which are boat scoutable with some eddy-hopping ingenuity. Significant rapids include the put-in slide, Ab's Surprise, Munch Stop, and Terminator, the last of which may approach class V at higher flows.
Flow Information:
The old USGS gauge on Scarham was removed, so level must be estimated from nearby Short Creek. Look for Short to be running medium for Scarham to run, around 1.4' on the Streambeam gauge (linked below) or 16'' on the old AL 75 bridge.
https://www.streambeam.net/Home/Gauge?siteID=1
Access Information:
Access logistics are straightforward. The put-in is at Double Bridges, where parking exists on the road between Shoal and Scarham Creeks. Currently (April 2020) the Shoal Creek bridge is out, and the put-in must be accessed from the Scarham creek side.
The takeout is at the ranger station on Lake Guntersville on AL 227. After reaching the Short confluence, another 0.8 miles of whitewater remain, and then a 3 mile lake paddle is required to reach your car.
More information can be found in the Alabama Whitewater guide:
http://www.alabamawhitewater.com/guide/guide_files2/scarhamlow.htm
Original description (2003):
Local Expert (Ron Stewart); also David Haynes, River Runner Magazine, August 1990
Class: III (V) see also www.alabamawhitewater.com
River Features
Put-In Slide
At the put in, a small trail leads down to the rock outcropping adjacent to the put-in slide. Walk down, and then under the bridge to get to the eddy upstream of the slide. An auto-boof off the kicker at the top seems to work well, then ride the lightning down to the eddies on the left or right at the bottom.
Shoal Creek also features one last slide as it dumps into Scarham, which can be run as well if desired.
Ab's Surprise
After the put-in slide, some warm-up boogie precedes Ab's Surprise. Boat scouting here will reveal a number of lines.
Munch Stop
Situated in a right-hand bend in the creek, Munch Stop is the next large rapid in the run. On the left, a large boulder forms an eddy from which the rapid can be boat-scouted. A flake forms a nice boof about 10 feet to the right of the rock; however the current here pushes hard towards the rock, which harbors a nasty looking pocket which will ensnare the unwary. For those not wanting to do the boof, other lines exist on the center and right, where the creek pours over and through a series of smaller rocks.
Waterfall Rapid
After a few more boogie rapids, a nice waterfall comes in on river right. You can pick your way down to the left of an island which divides the creek here, or take the right side with the waterfall to find a nice 3' flake boof on river right.
Terminator
Soon the action will begin to crescendo; a boulder rapid with a boxed in slot on the left or a sliding boof on the right signals the approach of Terminator. One final rapid will lead to an eddy on the right, from which you can scout the signature drop of the run.
Starting from the eddy on the top right and powering to the left is the idea here. Make sure to take a stroke through a sticky hole near the top, then work nearly to the left bank for a boof or ride the far left tongue down to the eddy below. Multiple hazards are present, including a nasty looking pocket which awaits if you end up on the right after the first hole.
Short Creek Confluence
Directly after Terminator is the confluence with Short Creek. Here the game changes with some more open, bigger water fun, so let loose and surf, splat, and boof your heart out before you get to the lake.
Take Out
After 0.8 miles on Short Creek and 3 miles on Lake Guntersville, you'll reach your car at the ranger station on AL 227.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportScarham is clean of wood as of April 24, 2020, except for an avoidable tree in a slot above Terminator. I updated the reach description on 4/27, but kept the 3-line blurb from 2003 for historical perspective.