Buck Creek
Springfield Play Park (PnP or 5.1 miles)
| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 5.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | Buck Creek Approximation |
| Flow Rate as of 54 minutes | 114 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 21, 2017 |
River Description
A fine just-over 5-mile run may be done from just downstream of the C.J.Brown Reservoir and dam. A few fine rapids are scattered along the run, with a fine finale as one gets to Snyder Park. The Buck Creek White Water Project involved removal of a low-head dam directly behind the Springfield Museum of Art (in 2009) and removal of a second low-head dam on the east side of Snyder Park (in 2010). In their place, 'rock arch rapids' were engineered to create a whitewater park. Indeed, many boaters may prefer the convenience of skipping the need for a shuttle by just doing a PnP (park-and-play) at the park.
Nearby amenities:
River Features
Kenton Drop
A man-made rock-arch rapids.
Art Museum Rapid
This small sliding drop unfortunately tends to pick up some wood. When it is open the drop is an easy class II.
Snyder Park Drop #1
This is a small drop that provides very limited surf opportunities, but does have a decent eddy line for eddy line moves. Also a good place for beginners to practice ferries, catching eddies, and peeling out.
Snyder Park Drop #2
Hole wave that provides opportunities for many hole moves at higher water and spins and low angle cartwheels at lower flows. At some flows, the wave is very close to the concrete which can result in a mean head hit to the concrete/rock that creates the feature.
Snyder Park Drop #3
This drop tends to be much faster than all the other drops in Snyder Park. Flushy on either side of the smaller sweet spot for surfing.
Take Out
Snyder Park Drop #4
Drop 4 is an easy surf wave, but it tends to be very flushy and not all that grabby. However, the real challenge of this wave is if you flip: there are whirpools galore downstream that show the paddler any flaw in their roll technique!
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan Buck Creek today at 740cfs. Put in at the Prairie View recreation area and went to Snyder Park. There was a strainer from bank to bank well before the natural chutes in a spot that was difficult to portage. We wound up getting out of our boats in the slower water on the left bank and lifting our kayaks over the tree. Overall, it was a fun ride - the museum drop was intense today and it tossed both of us out of our kayaks. Can't wait to run it again soon!
Ran Snyder Park drops and Museum drops at 5ft on the plum street gauge on 11/4/17. Overall, there was excellent play opportunities. The museum drops were incredible. The first was a very fast wave,excellent for carving. The shoulders were shallow and retentive holes, especially the left side. The second drop was good for flat spins and a better kayaker than I could probably throw a loop here.
The first and last Snyder park waves were washed out. The last one had a swirly eddy line with lots of boils below it. The second drop was a retentive hole on the left side and a nice green wave on the left. It was very convenient to surf the green wave and carve into the hole to try to throw a move. Easily deep enough to throw ends or loops here. There were whirlpools and boils downstream of the drop, but they weren't an issue. The fourth drop was almost washed out, but was good for front surfing. The whirlpools downstream of this drop were a bit intimidating. They formed almost immediately after the wave and pulled my entire kayak under a few times. Probably not best for beginners. Overall good time.
~162CFS and water level was 3.5'
Was there Sunday 4/24/16. Parked and paddled up to Art Museum with 12 y/o grandson. Got footage up there, paddled down to the
Snyder Park 4. Great fun though low flow.( 200 fps or so) . Went late last year too, always play-boaters there so, if you're in the area drop by and put-in!! When flow picks up, I hope to do the 5+miles trip, Mad River near by too. Hit me up if you'd like a local gkarjala@gmail.com. Oh,and no wood in the current @ this time either. eddies have gathered a little, not a prob. Crime not an issue for us either time but be mindful. There's stuff to do around the area, again, hit me up, be glad to help.
The top drop at the Art Museum
5ft
430 cfs was an awesome play level for the second hole. The wave on the third drop is fast but stable.
410 cfs. The second hole was ok but not as stable at 430 or 170. It allows for some loops but overall it is less sticky. The third wave is fast and more stable than at lower levels.
182 cfs the second wave/hole is just a wave but the third wave is a stable surf.
172 cfs is ok with plenty of spin action on the second hole and the third wave is a very fast surf/blast. (This is only true if Beaver creek is adding water)
162 cfs without flow from Beaver Creek. There are no holes but the waves can be surfed. The last three are quite stable but it can be boring if you want much play.
150 cfs was still a good play level for the second hole. The wave on the third drop is less stable.(This is only true if Beaver creek is adding water)
The second man made rapid on Buck Creek
The rapid at the art museum near the put in. It can jam with trees.
The flow is about 170 cfs and the wave/hole here is nice for 360s.