Pitman Creek
Route 1247 to Somerset Yacht Club (off Boat Dock Road) (3 miles)
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 3.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 15 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 2, 2020 |
River Description
Pitman Creek offers different experiences at different levels. Its a nice long canoe run at low water, a class II run with some water in it and Class III play creek at high water. Pitman creeks is realtively hazard free and its only hazards are usually washed in wood and one undercut ledge on river right at the gnar only at certian levels. Usually if Pitman is being ran at high water play levels its by Somerset locals or people driven off other regular runs that are too high. There are usually many other whitewater options within an hours drive of Somerset if Pitman is running.
Its classic central Kentucky creeking, a hybrid of sorts. Pittman Creek has the shelf rock ledges as well as the occasional small boulder rapid. Many rapids are typical of Kentucky shallow rocky creeks while others are the same as the rock shelf ledges of Madison County. The first mile or so of the run is basic class II downriver fun. Once you see a pipe on the left from the water treatment plant and the drain affectionately known by local boaters as the Somerset poop chute you begin the fun. Immediately down stream on the other side of the riverwide strainer is the first surfing rapid appropriately named Turd Surfers. A sharp turn in next bend below the cliff wall is a sign the rapids will continue.
The first rapid you come to after the cliff wall is split by an island. The left side is probably the best surfing spot on the river at lower levels while the right side, while currently strained out, is the most creeky with a good 4 foot creek style drop on rocks.
After that a couple of class II rapids brings you into the best playspot out there, named Kiddy Pool it is a great slide hole for 360s and surfs. On down stream is the best stuff where the old Parkers Mill used to be is the best rapid on the river. Tagged 'gnarr' by the locals it is a technical Class III with some manuevering needed, but the danger level is increased by the undercut rock walls at the bottom on th
...River Features
Putin
Put in near Somerset at a bridge on Route 1247, which is a left-hand turn off southbound 914 Bypass, that connects E 80 and 27 S.
Turd Surfers
Great for surfing at levels. It is immediately downstream from the poop chute and poop pipe.
Kiddy Pool
Small surf and 360 wave/hole at low water. Best playspot on the river at highter flows
Parkers Mill
Technical fun at lower water. Big water boogie at higher flows. Watch the undercut shelf on river right at the bottom.
Take-out
With the lake near summer pool (~720 ft.) take out right about where the creek meets the lake and hump up the ridge trail below Parkers Mill Rapid. At lower lake levels, we paddle a mile of flat water to Somerset Yacht Club off of Boat Dock Road.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe gate down the hill to the club and ramp is locked for members only. I went to scope out the take out yesterday and it was awful. The trail off boat dock road leads down to big pile of floating trash, logs and algae. It was disgusting. The lake level was right at 720 ft like Duane mentioned. I didn't stray along the shore but it looked like you could see where the creek pooled into this. If you're willing to carry a kayak up the cliff trail then backwooding around this mess would be the easy part. I wouldn't plan on getting out at the ramp though for sure.
Panaramic of where the trail off Boat Dock Rd meets Pitman Creek as of 6-22-16
Does anyone know if there are any rapids above the putin for this section?
All due respect to prior contributors, but a bit of clarification.
The Green near Bowling Green has it's headwaters just west of Hwy.27 up near Halls Gap. Coming south from there, if you follow Hwy.501 to Duncan, then 837 thru Walltown, Mt.Olive, Argyle, Mintonville, and to Hwy.80, that route runs the ridge which separates the watersheds (west of that route lie tribs of the Green, while east of that route lie various creeks tributary to the Cumberland River). So, while there may be some Pitman Creek which is tributary to the Green, this one is not. It is tributary to the Cumberland River.
The other reply is accurate, but could be mistaken to imply extending the reach of this stream a bit too far north. As stated, it does, indeed, start SOUTH and WEST of Orans Truck Stop. FWIW, just to be clear, ditches and creeks 'in Eubank' (and Floyd and Estesburg) run to Briary Creek, to Buck Creek (the next watershed to the east of Pitman Creek).
pitman creek starts in eubank south of orans truck stop
pitman creek drains central and eastern pulaski co.
its about 35 to45 miles long
A tributary of the Green river in Bowling Green I believe!
I know that I risk intense scrutiny here, but I am a local of Burnside (where Pitman flows into the Lake) and I am curious as to where exactly Pitman Creek originates. Is it spring fed, or does it come off of another river? If someone can clarify I would be greatly appreciative.
Duane making a cut back to the left. Note the old mill foundation at the top right
Jason Foley at Parkers Mill Rapid
sediment + rain = mud canyon
Somersets drainage of choice. The culverts first descent in spring 05. Surfing waves galore inside.
Somersets drainage of choice. The culverts first descent in spring 05. Surfing waves galore inside.
Jason Foley surfing Kiddy pool at low level
Jason Foley knocking a beaver off the wave. He caught the eddy smoother than any boater could. You can see his head poking out from behind the limb about 8 feet behind the surfer.
Surfing one of the numerous waves on Pittman
Duane spinning on one of the many surfing spots on the creek
Duane stretched and ready to go
Other boats on the creek included tug boats. Duane thought it was worthy of a pic to compare volumes
Old railroad bridge at the put in. This was not the first bridge on site but is still standing
looking at both bridges