Flatrock
Old U.S. Hwy 421 to Conns Creek (6.8 miles)(Flatrock River at St. Paul)
| Difficulty | I(III) |
| Length | 7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 7 fpm |
| Gauge | Flatrock River at St. Paul, in |
| Flow Rate as of 55 minutes | 374 cfsI-IIlow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 17, 2019 |
River Description
The flat shelved rock (for which the river is named) creates hydraulic jumps that are a blast. At the lower discharges it should afford many surfing opportunities. At the larger levels, a thrill but probably not technically challenging.
One report forwarded to AW includes descriptions of being in troughs that 'I could not see out of and at least one haystack that I avoided that was probably 7-8 feet tall.'
Benjamin Swain provides (2008-04-07):
We put in at the Hidden Paradise campground just outside St Paul, rather than the old 421 bridge. A fun beginner river, some good surfing waves.
River Features
Put In
E.Jefferson Street/Hidden Paradise Campground
We have reports that many boaters opt to shorten the trip by putting in here.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report550 cfs
Ran on 3-18-2010 at 750 CFS. A few playspots downstream of Hidden Paradise CG. Put in at 421 Bridge. Out at Conns Creek. Not extremely quick current at this level and waves were such could be run Open Canoe without flotation. Would prefer to run over 1,000 CFS. Talked to some locals who also preferred at higher levels.
Ran on 4/10/2010 at 1000-1100 cfs. I agree with all of these statements. The most fun rapids are just after the bridges at the tri-lake/Hidden Paradise campground section of the river. The last 20 minutes before the take-out at River Road were super flat/smooth and relaxing. Not a good river level for beginners who have never paddled whitewater before--we had 5 canoes and 4 flipped at some point--some more than once.
Flatrock River in Indiana at 1000 cfs. The first set of rapids were nice (just after campground) and the set of rapids starting at the S-Turn down to the house were nice. Didn't get a chance to surf the first great surf wave (chasing down a boat and boater) the second good wave (pictures) was a hoot and easy to ride. The waves down by the nice house near the end of rapid were nice and the holes were shallow but very surfable.