Boomershine Branch
Germantown Nature Center to Twin Creek
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 0.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 100 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 3, 2025 |
River Description
First lets be clear about this little creek. It rarely has good flows because it is a small creek. However it drains a large area of flat corn fields and thus has somewhat muddy but ample water when there are heavy rains.
Ok how does this creek add up? It is not a steep creek by southeastern standards but it would be if it were longer.This run will take 15-30 minutes for a good creek boater and you can run laps if the water level holds.
The put in is located where the trailhead crosses the stream above the gorge. It takes off in a matter of feet after the put in.You will start screaming down the slope over 1 to 5 foot ledges. Keep your eyes open for trees. On my first and second run I had 2 trees that I needed to walk around.There were some other pieces of wood that were poorly placed but manageable. After the first few ledges the action really starts to pick up and you are going to be hitting the two big drops that are over 5 to almost 7 feet in height.The difficulty picks up and some of the drops could lead to pinning. After the big ledge the gradient picks up and feels quite steep. Make sure there is no wood in here before you start or at least avoid boating past the last eddy you can see.The gradient eases up as you approach Twin Creek. Get out on river left or right to hike back up. I prefered river right.
The gradient is a bit of an exaggeration.The creek is only 0.5 mile in length and it drops about 150 feet in one crazy downhill rock slide or boulders and ledges.
River Features
Put In
Nature Center Falls
You are below the nature center observation deck. This drop is a straightforward drop.Check it out at low water to see all the broken shale in the landing zone.
On Crack
The largest drop on the river is a broken ledge that is slightly over 7 or 8 feet in height. The best line looks like a clean shot off the right side.However, most boats seem to get pushed left as they go over the drop and turn into the crack.You can pin here so be careful.The gradient really picks up at this point.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportA video of the run is here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upQPmd8MP-M
The top of Snakedance rapid on Boomershine Branch at low flow
Going over the lip of the falls at low flow.
A view from the riverside boardwalk
The creek starts immediately with some small ledges and slides. Watch for wood. One of the two pieces I walked were just around the bend.
The first part of the creek has ledges and few boulders or rocks.
The shale and limestone drop is larger when the creek is at low water. The landing zone is ok when there is plenty of flow but otherwise it is full of jagged shale.
Boof off the right. Most boaters ended up in the middle after being turned hard left.
This was a good minimum flow and rising. The photo is from the put in trail.