Jackson Creek, Wisconsin, US
|
|
Memorial Park Dam (PnP)
| Usual Difficulty |
II (varies with level) |
Downstream from the dam
Downstream from the damPhoto by Rob Smage taken 10/17/09
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
TURTLE CREEK AT DELAVAN, WI
|
|
usgs-05431032 |
100 - 100 cfs
|
I |
1y128d19h10m |
~ 22
cfs
(rc= -0.8 ) |
Likely unplayable at any flow. Listed flow is (I believe) combined outflow of Johnson Creek and Turtle Creek, thus WILL NOT accurately portray boatability on this reach. |
River Description
Jackson Creek flows into Delavan Lake on the east, and serves its outlet to the west. Flow to the
lower part of the creek is regulated by a dam at the Delavan Lake outlet. (There was a USGS Gauge
for this, which has gone unfunded.)
Park by the skateboard ramps in Memorial Park and walk past them toward a building behind them,
and you'll see a small dam on the creek. A cement 'splash apron' slopes away from the dam into a
short, reasonably deep pool. At moderate flows, it appears a surfable wave could form here. Rough
cement slabs line the shore, but the pool itself is clear. The pool is backed up by a short
cement wall/dam.
The problem is, when there are adequate flows in the creek, it is likely they will open the
river-right spill-gate a bit. Water coming from under that gate slides down and careens off the
right wall, and its current rips through the short pool to spill across the wall/dam. Presently
this has caught a huge tree, making things extremely dangerous for anyone trying to boat this. At
high (boatable) flows, the wall/dam creates a nasty sticky looking pourover. If/when the huge
tree is removed or rots sufficiently to be flushed out of the river, water will spill away from
this lower wall/dam much better. Rocky rubble shoals lead maybe another 20-30 yards until things
smooth out, but numerous river-wide logs span the flow, making passage impossible. Not far
downstream, a road bridge spans the creek, and has virtually no clearance at any otherwise
boatable flow. Not far below that, Jackson creek merges into Turtle Creek.
As a result of everything observed here, my recommendation is, at any time, at any flow,
this should NOT be considered to be a place to boat.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2010-03-13 13:22:40
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
