Sweetwater Creek

12/22/12 - Right side of island just below the power lines there is a tree down around the blind turn. Beware as we had 4 paddlers get trapped by it. All ended up okay. Two flipped and went under it. One got his body stuck for a bit on it then flushed out under it and then one boat had to be z-dragged off of it. We will try to get in and cut it out. Also at the Falls, a tree is blocking the middle right and far right lines. The park rangers said they will cut this out. We removed a lot of wood and opened up some routes that have been blocked since the flood in 2009.

There is a new tree across the right entrance to Sweetwater Falls. This new tree is directly above the older tree and extends almost halfway across the rapid. Be careful! This is a must-scout rapid above 6 feet in my opinion, anyway. Scout on right but be careful not to get swept into this new hazard Follow the links for video and pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7549607@N07/4335386699
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7549607@N07/4335393523/
http://vimeo.com/9262933

Ran it today at around 7' I would agree that the gauge is off. It felt much higher than it has the other couple of times I've ran it at that level. I would say it seems about 1' low, so 7' felt more like 8'. Also, several of the rocks have definitely moved. It felt a good bit easier between the first ledge and the falls because its not nearly as junky as it used to be. Hiked out on the red trail it wasn't a problem, but note that the observation deck above the falls is gone, so don't count on seeing that to indicate when the falls is coming up. Also there is a tree in the right line at the falls.

From the 2009-10-07 post about a tree on river right after the power lines: the tree is below the rapids laying across the recovery pool. Very easy to pull out before the tree. Higher levels may make eddying out more urgent. We had to walk around at 3.09 guage (seemed more like 4ish- see Chuck Kirk's comment 2009-10-17).

The Sept 2009 floods destroyed all the bridges in Sweetwater Creek State Park. The park officials have roped off all trail access to the river. The usual run here is from the top of the rapids down to the falls, then you drag/carry your boat back up to the parking area at the park. This is no longer possible as all the bridges are gone and some of the trail has washed away. There is also raw sewage coating almost everything. If you do want to brave this run you will need to put in above the park, which is almost impossible as all the roads crossing Sweetwater Creek are closed all the way up to Thornton Road due to bridge damage. You will then need to take out at Riverside Parkway. I spoke with Park staff yesterday and they don't have any dates set for repair of the trails and bridges. When they are rebuilt, the staff will need to rely on volunteer efforts to help complete the project. If you are a fan of Sweetwater Creek I suggest watching the park website for posting of upcoming workdays and please go volunteer.

In the description for the pump house rapid it says that there is a sneak on the river left bank but this is WRONG.... the sneak is on the far river right bank. It can still be pretty sketch if the water is high though. If you drive the bow up and right as go go over the dam you'll slide down a little ramp into some out flow (far far right) . If it is high water and you F it up you CAN get stuck in the hole..... and that would really suck (the water is nasty and the hole will keep you, with or without a boat).

Also.... if you decide to portage go river right and you can do a really fun 45 degree 50 ft long seal launch down what looks like chain link fence holding the soil in place. Super fun and super fast.

Dallas Shaw

According to Shannon Herford there is a new low head damn at the East Point pumping station. This is about 1/2 way between the falls and the takeout bridge. There used to be a little wave train there, but now, at 1500cfs, it is a serious hole.