SCHIMBARIDES.COM

members John Ross, Richard Rogers, Dennis Turnbo, Randy Stanfield, Levi Stanfield, Andrew Welch, Nick Welch, and Brian Welch kayaked 8 miles on Upper Bear Creek today, June 7.  The water flow was 275 cubic feet per second, well above the normal dam release flow of about 200 cfs so it was a great day to paddle.  Our moving time was 2 hours and 40 minutes.  Stopped time was 2 hours, most of it at the rapids above Factory Falls. 

On the way home we stopped at Rosie’s Cantina in Florence for a late lunch.

Here is our route on the creek:

Here is Bear Creek in relation to Savannah and Florence:

 

For more information on Bear Creek and other streams to paddle in Alabama see:

Alabama Whitewater

Here is the description of  Bear Creek from the Alabama Whitewater page:

Class:
I (II,VI)
Put-In:
Mill Creek Launch – Hwys 241/172

Gradient:
10′/mile
Take-Out:
Rock Quarry Branch Access – Hwy 172

Length:
7 (Mill to Rock Quarry) or more

Shuttle:
241 / 172
DeLorme Gazeteer:
P. 23 B6

Water Q:


Primary Gage:
TVA, Upper Bear Creek Dam

Links:
TOPO MAP
Required Level:
210 cfs*

PICTURES
Indicator Gage:

TRIP REPORT
Required Level:

Notes:
TRIP REPORT from lower sec.
Map Link See Trip Report for a Better Map

Bear Creek is fed by dam releases from the Upper Bear Creek Dam, making it the only reliable summer whitewater in northern Alabama. Since it is low gradient drop/pool, it is definitely suitable for beginners. This would be a good place to start if you have no moving water experience and want a taste of whitewater in a scenic setting. Several sections can be run. Access is possible as high up as CR 5. You can take out as far down as Scott Bridge on Rt. 187. There is a good map at the Dismals Link above, check it out before you decide which part to run. This site also has a good description of the run, though their definition of class II may be a bit ‘conservative’.
The section from CR 5 to Mill Creek access features Old Mill Falls, which is a runnable class III or III+ drop depending on your chosen line. The most popular trip is from Mill Creek to Rock Quarry. It starts off slow, picks up a bit, then is slow at the end. At about mile 2.5 is a nice class II slide with a wave at the top and bottom. A few hundred yards downstream is the well marked Factory Falls. Factory Falls would be a nice challenging IV if it wasn’t for the pinning rock right in the middle of the drop. It is a must walk. The washout is amusing III. The whole run would perk up if TVA released 300 cfs or more, but the lake is small and the summers have been dry. The fishing is not bad.
Below Rock Quarry there is only a bit of current here and there until you reach Hwy 43. Then there is intermittent class I, with even a mellow wave or two. It is a nice scenic float down to Military Bridge that does not have much man made encroachment. See also trip report linked above. The entire trip from CR 5 to Military bridge has been done in 7.5 hrs by some friends of mine, but they paddled fairly hard during the last section.
Commercial outfitters are available. See Link above. Bear Creek Canoe Run outfitter (800) 788-7070, on US43 between Russelville and Hamilton at the creek is the most popular. For further info, contact Bear Creek Development office at (877) FOR-BCDA or http://www.getaway.net/bcda

 

Here are some of our pictures:

 

 

 

   

 

Lunch at Rosie’s Cantina: