Deckers Creek
Pioneer Rocks(Gas Line pullout (rt 7) to Junkyard Pullout (rt 7))
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 2.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 100 fpm |
| Gauge | Deckers Creek at Morgantown, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 52 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 13, 2011 |
River Description
For a Go Pro helmet cam video of Deckers Creek, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRcwW2Bs-rU
Latitude, Longitude data are approximate.
Deckers Creek is a fun and challenging run, just a few miles from the interstate and the University. Just because it is roadside does not mean it is light duty, however. The streambed is littered with sieves, and most of the vertical drops have a cave behind them.
That said, if you know this run, you can get a lap in before work or class, and it is a great resource for Morgantown area paddlers.
Here's what Bobby Miller has to say about Decker's after his first run several years ago:
'Here is my personal opinion on Deckers. I think that run is very hard and very scary. My impressions were that you could die about 5 ways in every rapid. I was scared on it (which doesn't happen a lot). Granted, I ran everything so that makes it a lot scarier but still it is very scary. I think that the Upper Blackwater is not even in the same class as Deckers. Deckers has harder rapids and more and bigger sieves. The creeks in Canaan are way more user-friendly ( Otter, North Fork) with not so many undercuts to catch you if mess up. My opinion of Deckers is that it is a run for top creekers (guys who dominate easy creeks like the North Fork and Upper B) in top condition. It opened my eyes and got my heart ticking. I enjoyed Deckers but it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. I was so worried about falling into the ug
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAside from the banter above, Decker's is a great run for technically sound class V creek boaters. Steep, technical, and loaded with great moves, it's a run to be cherished that requires sound paddling.
Like most class V creeks in the region, sieves and wood are hazards that deserve concern and caution. It would be wise to go with someone who know's the run if it's your first time. At most medium to low levels it's easy to eddy hop and/or scout most of the major rapids. Be sure to take your time.
It is not uncommon for those who know the run to make multiple laps.
As of March 11th, 2015 there is wood in the LZ of Eyes, and some snags hanging here and there. Scout ahead of time as high water events change the creek constantly.
Surprisingly the boat was intact except for a few dents
Hauling with the Come-Along. Notice the Side tension to protect Jay should anything fail.
Jay manning the Come-Along. It was about 29 Degrees that day.
Clipping onto the Boat. Rather Chilly.
Ryan's boat is bow-stern pinned with the cockpit pointed upstream and down at about a 45 degree angle. He managed to exit the boat while it was pinned. Quite Fortunate. An upstream shelf formed an underwater eddy which probably allowed an easier exit.
The boat pinned on a low water solo run on Deckers one afternoon. The rapid is downstream of End of the World.
Top Section of Boofs visible from Rt. 7 Pullout above Deduction
Ed Gaker's First Run @ Eyes
Tight line with both sides undercut
The gauge is barely visible unless someone has painted it lately. So, visual inspection may be the best method.
Wood/Streambed Update: Run at 5-4.5 bars
Hercules - clear (large log above deduction in precarious position, will probably flush soon and chock itself somewhere dangerous
Deduction - clear (sieve totally open now - looks smoother than before w/no hole - dangerous)
Carcass - clear
After Carcass - wood in first drop on right (avoidable just left)
Top Hat - clear
Hairline - clear to right after ferry (left line after ferry has wood in it)
Brows - clear
Eyes - clear (took a good piton here at bottom of drop on far left - I think the rock has always been there)
Teeth - clear (some weird rocks above drop after exiting pool below eyes)
Problem Child/EOW - changes here (looks like fast moving pool b/w PC and EOW has changed, maybe for the better). Wood in far left channel of drop against bank. Also, wood in center channel below EOW (airplane slot open).
Runout - some wood here, but can be avoided by boat scouting. Slide near the end still has wood on left.
As you can see, summertime flows of the entire creek go into the seive. I wouldn't want my boat to go in there.
Watch out for a submerged piton rock at the bottom right.
Watch out for a submerged piton rock at the bottom right.
Bridge the drop, baby!
On line and on time, nothing like a quick run (and a beer at Archie's)between classes.
This is the entrance rapid to End Of The World.
When things go wrong on Decker's Cr. (and they will if you run it enough times), it's not always pretty.