Running Water Creek
Katy Lane to Nickajack Lake
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 3.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 24, 2020 |
River Description
This run takes about an hour and a half, with constant paddling and features lots of waves and long rapids, especially on the lower end, with only brief sections of flat water. Two 4' - 5' falls/drops and a couple of fun slides are on upper section.
Paddlers will encounter a few large surface rocks that are easy to avoid with a good line. Always go slow and check around bends, especially on the first lap if the water is high, as you could encounter a fallen tree. This creek is massive fun, excellent for beginners, but paddle with someone who already knows the creek. Just plan to make several 5 mile laps.
Recommended level low: 1'6'
High: 2'-3'
Highest that I paddled was 4', but has been paddled at higher levels by class IV boaters.
DIRECTIONS: From I-24, Wildwood exit 169, turn left on Highway 299/134, and go 4.6 miles to the upper put in. The middle put in is approximately 2 miles down at the gauge bridge. A huge plus is that the river is roadside, along Highway 134/I-24, all the way to the lake making for a very easy shuttle and you can pick whichtever section you want to paddle - upper/ middle/ lower.
River Features
Upper Put In
Shallow / narrow channel, very fun - a small beach is there for launching.
Easy parking in the median on the side of the road. Not the driveway!
First Slide
Fast current - Tree is removed
First Falls
4' Falls - best line, middle, right between the rocks.
2nd Falls
5' again best line middle, right between the rocks - the current will drive you hard to the left and tries to crash you on the concrete - paddle hard right to avoid...
Middle Put In
Put in above or below the bridge - convenient parking on either side of the road.
Gauge under downstream side of the bridge.
Tiger Tail
Beautiful S-turn rapid w/ nice waves.
i24
Straight stretch, beginning of the Lower Section
Train Wreck
Starts just above the train bridge - Recommended to stop in the pool river right and scout. This is not a good place to swim, because there are large rocks underneath and it is also a long rapid - probably no recovery until the end.
Tree Trap
Trees tend to fall across / into the creek in this area! Approach river right and look left around the corner - you can also get out on this (rt)side if you need to. Stay right of the big hole.
This rapid/area sets you up to go under I-24 immediately following. Approach on the left and then paddle hard to the right - just avoid the big holes.
Cannon Ball
A long, nearly straight rapid, with fun waves!
Nearly the same as Clothes Line.
Clothes Line
Another long, nearly straight, rapid, with fun waves!
Clothes in the trees indicate high water level @6-8' above normal.
Foto is not good, because it doesn't give any idea of the length /size of waves - just you see the clothes - lol