Scarham Creek
Double Bridges to Short Creek
| Difficulty | III+(V) |
| Length | 2.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 67 fpm |
| Gauge | Scarham Creek Near Mcville, Al |
| Flow Rate as of 7166 days | 0 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 13, 2021 |
River Description
Scarham Creek holds a number of enjoyable rapids between the Shoal Creek confluence at Double Bridges and its confluence with Short Creek, a little over 2 miles downstream. On its own, the short length and lack of easily lapable rapids leave one wishing for more; a combination with upper Scarham or Shoal Creek is recommended to flesh out the run. Class III boulder gardens dominate the creekbed, most of which are boat scoutable with some eddy-hopping ingenuity. Significant rapids include the put-in slide, Ab's Surprise, Munch Stop, and Terminator, the last of which may approach class V at higher flows.
Flow Information:
The old USGS gauge on Scarham was removed, so level must be estimated from nearby Short Creek. Look for Short to be running medium for Scarham to run, around 1.4' on the Streambeam gauge (linked below) or 16'' on the old AL 75 bridge.
https://www.streambeam.net/Home/Gauge?siteID=1
Access Information:
Access logistics are straightforward. The put-in is at Double Bridges, where parking exists on the road between Shoal and Scarham Creeks. Currently (April 2020) the Shoal Creek bridge is out, and the put-in must be accessed from the Scarham creek side.
The takeout is at the ranger station on Lake Guntersville on AL 227. After reaching the Short confluence, another 0.8 miles of whitewater remain, and then a 3 mile lake paddle is required to reach your car.
More information can be found in the Alabama Whitewater guide:
http://www.alabamawhitewater.com/guide/guide_files2/scarhamlow.htm
Original description (2003):
Local Expert (Ron Stewart); also David Haynes, River Runner Magazine, August 1990
Class: III (V) see also www.alabamawhitewater.com
River Features
Put-In Slide
At the put in, a small trail leads down to the rock outcropping adjacent to the put-in slide. Walk down, and then under the bridge to get to the eddy upstream of the slide. An auto-boof off the kicker at the top seems to work well, then ride the lightning down to the eddies on the left or right at the bottom.
Shoal Creek also features one last slide as it dumps into Scarham, which can be run as well if desired.
Take Out
After 0.8 miles on Short Creek and 3 miles on Lake Guntersville, you'll reach your car at the ranger station on AL 227.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportScarham is clean of wood as of April 24, 2020, except for an avoidable tree in a slot above Terminator. I updated the reach description on 4/27, but kept the 3-line blurb from 2003 for historical perspective.