Silver Creek
Curtis Rd.Bridge to KY 876 Bridge (3 miles)(Park N Surf Section)
| Difficulty | II-III(IV) |
| Length | 2.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 9, 2019 |
River Description
Falls of Silver Creek (medium flow level)
This section of Silver Creek contains the best whitewater and most play spots. For it's first 2 miles (from the putin on theTaylor Fork tributary to its intersection with KY 876) Silver Creek is class I-II at all flow levels. The best whitewater fun of this reach begins in the last mile just before where Silver Creek runs parallel to (and can be seen from) KY 876. This is the 'Park N' Surf' section.
At medium flows there are several outstanding, easily run class II(III) rapids within the Park N Surf stretch which offer hours of fun for the play oriented paddler. At higher flows the Park N Surf approaches solid class IV range with at least one hydraulic, (third rapid downstream of the Park N' Surf putin). A riverwide, very sticky hole must be punched slightly left of center to avoid a thumping. Silver Creek Falls (a 4', creek-wide ledge, seen from the KY 876 bridge) can be run pretty much anywhere but take care at the beefier flows as the hydraulic at the base can be sticky. A 'sneak' tongue forms far left at flows above 2 feet. The Park N Surf section has about 9 rapids / play waves along its mile length to just below the KY 876 bridge and can be run in 15 minutes or several hours depending upon the paddler's propensity for play boating.
Final Rapid below KY 876 Bridge of the Park N Surf section (medium flow level)
Silver Creek boasts the largest watershed of all of the Madison County whitewater streams (112 square miles) and therefore will be most likely to hold its flow after a good rain. When doing a whitewater paddling 'Tour De Madison' following a deluge rainfall, it is best to hold off on Silver Creek till the last and check out the other streams nearby first. East Prong Otter, Main Otter,
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThere is parking at the Park n Surf along the road across from the guardrail. Silver Creek Falls have now been cleared of the 2010 flood debris with a restoration of its previous river wide character. Since the flood the Falls are a little steeper and the hydraulic a bit more sticky than before. Good news is that the section below the Falls is greatly improved for surfing opportunities.
There is an awesome wave hole a little ways before the old park and play. Its a big fast hole great for surfing. Its nothing like anything else on the creek, and followed by some 5' high wave train. Good eddy and great surf. You have to put in on the taylor fork to get it.
The park and surf/takeout no longer has an area to park. The road construction is finished and they have put a guard rail all along the road making it more difficult to find parking, though it may be possible to park on the shoulder I wouldn't advise it. Also the 2010 flood has caused the waterfall to be essentially split in two by a large deposit of rocks leaving a fun narrow chute on the river right side and the river left half is basically unchanged
Ahhh, I feel much better now...