Back Creek (South R. trib)
Sherando Lake to South River
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 9.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Gauge | South River at Harriston, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 88 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 21, 2024 |
River Description
Small stream which drains the west side of the Blue Ridge, running into the South River, which runs into the North Fork of the Shenandoah. The upper section above Rt. 610 is more difficult.
See Also:
Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 146.
Exploring Virginia's Waterways, Ed Gertler (2022 ed.), p. 87.
River Features
Put In
Distance: 0 mi
Take Out
Distance: 9 mi
Take Out
Trip Reports
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I paddled this stream yesterday. The 200 cfs minimum flow on the South River at Harriston does not appear to be accurate. Flow yesterday there was 542 cfs and Back Creek was below paddling zero, even for this I'll-scrape-down-anything paddler. For a region-wide event, I'd put zero at 1,000 cfs at Harriston.
Looks like a fun little creek with more water though. Strainers will show up suddenly, particularly on the upper part.