Whitewater
Metamora, IN to Elizabethtown, OH (34 miles)
| Difficulty | I |
| Length | 44.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 6 fpm |
| Gauge | Whitewater River at Brookville, in |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1030 cfshigh runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 4, 2020 |
River Description
Despite its promising name, the Whitewater River holds very little true whitewater. Quite popular for canoeing and recreational kayaking, you'll find good swift current, minor rapids, and (perhaps, at the right water levels) a few potentially surfable waves.
While the majority of miles of the Whitewater River lie in Indiana, it flows into the state of Ohio (to its confluence with the Great Miami, which then flows into the Ohio River). That short stretch in Ohio is one of only three sections of river which the Ohio EPA has named to 'exceptional water quality' status. (The other two are the Mohican and the Tuscarawas.) It also has 100% attainment of aquatic life.
Putin: Metamora, near roadside park on U. S. 52 just west of Metamora.
Takeout: northeast corner of Jameson Road bridge (south of Harrison, Ohio on the Indiana-Ohio state line).
Alternate takeout: Lost Bridge on the Great Miami River in Ohio.
Note: for a reach this long, there certainly are other put-in and take-out options for shorter runs. We encourage registered, logged-in users to help out fellow boaters by adding comments, listing your favorite sections (put-in and take-out) and telling what is available on that section and what flows you like best for it.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
If putting in up by Brookville, Possible to take out at Indiana-1 bridge. Otherwise you are floating down to Cedar Grove and then Harrison. Paddling.com has more information on possible take outs. https://maps.app.goo.gl/QEeDiv4FrwVH6eZY7
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report2.4ft and below has two still water sections on the Green Acres Kayak section of the river [Willow park to Riverfront Park]. Expect decent length of pooled still water just ahead of where Jake's Food Truck is. At 2.4ft and below this section can take 30+ minutes to get through on a raft. Kayak's should not have an issue with given their lower energy requirements. Additionally you will find a still water section on the second to last river bend before take-out. Landmark for this location of water is the gravel yard, you can't miss it. This section used to be much more narrow but they came in and dredged it out because people were jumping from the banks. Current is still moving below the surface here, just not on top. This section is probably a 15 minute section without paddling.
Other than the two section mentioned above, flow is still good at these levels, especially through-out the first half of the trip [Willow to Riverfront]. Dont let this information disuade you from paddling at these levels. I am just sharing information and perosnal experience. I do not know how these levels are on the sections of the river further north. If they are anything like the start of the this section described, they should be adequate.