Fall Flood of 2010

Here is the new park and play below waterloo falls.The flood caused alot of rocks to be moved. Fortunatly we now have a new play spot. Most of spring creek, has rapids that either were never there before or are just different than before.Look forward to seeing you on the creek.

The New and Old Roaring River

Lots of rocks in the river now

New rock piles

New rapid with a nice boof in the middle

(above) New Rapid we call Stop and Go

(above) Tom Hehnen

So its the middle of July and supposed to be the dry season for the south east.When in fact this year so far, has been the opposite.With 8+ inches of rain in Overton county Tennessee,and rumers of bridges being blown out.I thought its time to investigate,so I drove to the Roaring river put in.When I got there I was amazed at how far the river was up.I had never seen it so big.What usually was a 10 foot boof at the put in,was now only about 2 feet high.The roar of the river could be felt on the bank where I was standing. Not knowing exactly what that much water would do,I did have the idea that some stuff had moved.

Five days later Tom Hehnen and I decided to run the river to see what the damage was.It looked like some one had dredged the river bottom.Places that used to be only a couple of feet deep are now over my head.There are car and house size boulders scattered through out all the rapids exposing huge black shale shores.The upper rapids are know alot harder to boat scout,becouse you can't see the bottom of them.Its really boulder choked, and the water is more channeled up in places that used to be scrapy.There are a few new seives not many under cuts.

There are a few new rapids ,and new ledges on this run with great boofs and tight technical lines.

Throw Down

Phelps Branch

Brad Sisco,Jason Cagle

Adam Kamptner@ Trillium falls
First Decent

Phelps branch located in southern Putnam county,TN.This doesnt run much,except directly after big rains.This run is only about 2 miles long and runs into Cane creek at Window cliffs.Big thanks to Justin Owen,Ben Mcdade,Tom Hennon, Brad Sisco,and Jason Cagle on this one .There was alot of scouting ,maping,and patience involved.Thanks guys

Cane creek

Jonathon Glover(above)
Barbarien falls Window Cliffs

Cane creek in southern Putnam county,TN is a majestic place.With lots of water falls entering into this creek there is never
a dull moment.
The run down to Barbarien falls is about 3 miles from the window cliff rd bridge.This run is mostly class 3 with one class 5 Barbarien falls.As you get further into the run you will notice the 6 window cliffs on your river right .
Once you get to the falls theres a trail on river left that will take you up and out to new window cliff rd where we had our shuttle set.
The first decent of this run happened in January of 2009,by Justin Owen,Tom Hennon ,Adam Kamptner, Jonathon Glover and Tommy Hennon.
Please understand that Barbarien falls is no joke and should be scouted
from all angles.

honey branch

One of many rapids on Honey branch .
(above) Tom Hennen in the Bee Hive.

Honey Branch First Decent



On a rainy May day Tom Hennon and I were hoping that the Honey branch water shed got hit by recent showers.So we drove up past Roaring river to see this marvelous tributary.Knowing that this run takes alot of rain to get it going,it started out low ,but the level came up just before we got to the first class 4+.It turned out to be great with ample flow.
This run consists of some long slides and class 3 -4 white water.
Its only about 2 miles long but very continous and well worth it.Once we got to the confluence of Roaring river we were about a mile from the take out. good stuff