Clear Creek, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | I-III (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 6.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 18 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEAR CREEK AT LILLY BRIDGE NEAR LANCING, TN | ||||
| usgs-03539778 | 180 - 2000 cfs | I-III | 01h10m | 94 cfs (rc= -0.0 ) |
Chris Hellmann warned:
There are 3 spots with nasty undercuts not discussed anywhere else. Our group had near-fatalities at 2 of these spots on 4/17/04. The first is 1/4 of the way down and very visible. The second is 2/3 of the way to Jett and not visible without scouting. At this location you will see an undercut boulder where most of the current bears right but what you can't see from the river is that after the first undercut the river takes a sharp left into another undercut boulder. Our paddler became trapped under this rock and completely underwater for at least 10 seconds. The third location is just upstream of Jett and also very visible. All these spots are easily avoidable for paddlers with basic boat control skills. However, I bring this to your attention because Monte Smith's Obed/Emory book (no longer in print) calls this "an excellent run for beginners" and this is definitely not true due the hazards mentioned above.
Patrick Martin shared:
When it doubt; go river left!
The Barnett-to-Jett Bridge run on Clear Creek averages an 18ft/mile drop for 6.5 miles (as the
kayaker paddles, not as the crow flies).
The run is safer with a good medium water height of 6.75' to 8.75'at Lilly (3'- 5' at Jett
Bridge). Higher water eliminates scrapy places, covers most undercuts, and pushes you through the
flat places. At flows greater than 4' at the Jett gauge, expect large waves.
A little over a quarter mile after putting in at Barnett Bridge, the river makes a hard left turn
into a wide "S" turn through some sentinel boulders. The local folk call this place Cook's Hole
[N 36o 7.288', W 84o 47.330']. At low levels this place is just a bit sticky. However, at high
water levels the upstream rock forms a pourover and a whirlpool opens up. Rafts, canoes, and
quite a few kayakers have been roped out after being sucked down (This one does not want to let
go). The safe way to run this rapid at all levels is through the far river left chute, then move
to the right below the hole. But once your probe establishes the safety of the area from
downstream of the hole, he or she can indicate to the rest of the team the other lines that can
open up to run (this phenomenon is totally water-level-dependant).
Another must-make maneuver is the left chute at "Old Mill Rapid" [N36o 7.374', W84o 45.433'].
This is another far river left (narrow and 90o angled) "S" turn. Here the left chute drops you
into a small non-sticky hole, where you peel out to the right. There are other routes that open
up now and again, but many times these routes are full of strainers.
There are several undercut rocks on this trip, but one you should be aware of is located at N 36o
7.653', W 84o 45.238', about two miles before Jett Bridge. Upon approaching this area, the River
narrows and turns to the left in a shallow chute that increases its velocity. The left shore has
exposed flint and shale with an overhanging rhododendron and hemlock forest. As one comes out of
this chute the river splits. A small stream goes left, and the main current goes river right. If
you take the small stream to the left, you will avoid the undercut. If you do take the right
passage, do it at high water levels. Above 5' at the Jett Bridge gauge (8.75' at Lilly) one will
not have to experience the sickening pull on the bottom of the boat just before being sucked in.
At lower levels, trip rocks (beginning in the middle of the passage) will take an unwary boater
left and directly into this dark crevice.
An eighth of a mile later on river left you will encounter a landmark called "Grouper Rock". It
is not long after this that you will find yourself at Jett Bridge.
This is a remote area. There are no roads, railroads, or permanent signs of man between bridges.
If you get into trouble, your team is your best way out. Experienced guides who know this river
can help make it an exciting novice run. (Don't leave home without one).
See the Chota Canoe club for info on this and other nearby streams.
Patrick Martin shared:
The minimum water level one can run on Clear Creek from Barnett-to-Jett without scraping plastic off your boat is ~ 5.75’ on the USGS gauge for Lilly, or 2’ on the paddlers gauge on Jett Bridge. At this level, there are a number of class I-II rapids, long flatwater paddles, and many technical moves suited for tweaking the whitewater techniques of the newer paddlers. There are dangers here (a few directional must-make moves, whirlpools, and undercuts that can ruin your day) so invite a guide on this run for your first few descents.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEAR CREEK AT LILLY BRIDGE NEAR LANCING, TN | ||||||||||||
| usgs-03539778 | 180 - 2000 cfs | I-III | 01h10m | 94 cfs (rc= -0.0 ) | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek [TN] |
James at grouper rock
|
n/a | James Locke | |
| Clear Creek [TN] |
Barnett to Jett
|
6.0 ft internet | James Locke | |
| 4y192d04h53m | Clear Creek [TN] |
under cut rock
|
150fs | Spalding Hurst |
| 6y260d04h53m | Clear Creek [TN] |
Launching from the "Slant Rock"
|
240 cfs | d baldwin |
| 6y268d04h53m | Clear Creek Barnett to Jett [TN] |
Billy Bob Scarborough at play wave
|
6.0+/- | James Locke |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. | Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | Cook's Hole | III |  |
| 4.0 | Old Mill Rapid | II | |
| 4.5 | Undercut Rock |  |
Patrick Martin shared:
A little over a quarter mile after putting in at Barnett Bridge, the river makes a hard left turn into a wide “S” turn through some sentinel boulders. The local folk call this place Cook’s Hole. At low levels this place is just a bit sticky. However, at high water levels the upstream rock forms a pourover and a whirlpool opens up. Rafts, canoes, and quite a few kayakers have been roped out after being sucked down (This one does not want to let go). The safe way to run this rapid at all levels is through the far river left chute, then move to the right below the hole. But, once your probe, establishes the safety of the area from downstream of the hole, he or she can indicate to the rest of the team the other lines that can open up to run (this phenomenon is totally water-level-dependant).
Patrick Martin shared:
Another must-make maneuver is the left chute at “Old Mill Rapid.” This is another far river left (narrow and 90o angled) “S” turn. Here the left chute drops you into a small non-sticky hole, where you peel out to the right. There are other routes that open up now and again, but many times these routes are full of strainers.
Patrick Martin shared:
There are several undercut rocks on this trip, but one you should be aware of is located at N 36o 7.653’, W 84o 45.238’, about two miles before Jett Bridge. Upon approaching this area, the River narrows and turns to the left in a shallow chute that increases its velocity. The left shore has exposed flint and shale with an overhanging rhododendron and hemlock forest. As one comes out of this chute the river splits. A small stream goes left, and the main current goes river right. If you take the small stream to the left, you will avoid the undercut. If you do take the right passage, do it at high water levels. Above 5’ at the Jett Bridge gauge (8.75’ at Lilly) one will not have to experience the sickening pull on the bottom of the boat just before being sucked in. At lower levels, trip rocks (beginning in the middle of the passage) will take an unwary boater left and directly into this dark crevice.
Note: we are not sure that the photo shown depicts this particular undercut. We're using it to give an idea of the typical hazard on this reach.
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Clear Creek 2. Barnett Bridge to Jett Bridge (mobile)
User Comments
hazard. Recent high water has swung the tree against the river left bank and out of the current.
Billy Bob Edit
the lower rapids (don't know the name of it). It's not obvious from the top of the rapid, though it
is visible if you're looking for it--not on the blind side of a bend or anything like that. At low
to medium levels it might be possible for small, flexible paddlers to limbo under the extreme river
-left side, but don't count on it. This thing is a potential killer, so be especially careful in
the latter half of this run. Andy Messer Edit
The Barnett-to-Jett Bridge run on Clear Creek averages an 18ft/mile drop for 6.5 miles (as the
kayaker paddles, not as the crow flies).
The minimum water level one can run on Clear Creek from Barnett-to-Jett without scraping plastic
off your boat is ~ 5.75' on the USGS gauge for Lilly, or 2' on the paddlers gauge on Jett Bridge.
At this level, there are a number of class I-II rapids, long flat water paddles, and many technical
moves suited for tweaking the whitewater techniques of the newer paddlers. There are dangers here
(a few directional must-make moves, whirlpools, and undercuts that can ruin your day) so invite a
guide on this run for your first few descents.
The run is safer with a good medium water height of 6.75' to 8.75'at Lilly (3'- 5' at Jett Bridge).
Higher water eliminates scrappy places, covers most undercuts, and pushes you through the flat
places. At flows greater than 4' at the Jett gauge, expect large waves.
A little over a quarter mile after putting in at Barnett Bridge, the river makes a hard left turn
into a wide 'S' turn through some sentinel boulders. The local folk call this place Cook's Hole [N
36o 7.288', W 84o 47.330']. At low levels this place is just a bit sticky. However, at high water
levels the upstream rock forms a pour-over and a whirlpool opens up. Rafts, canoes, and quite a few
kayakers have been roped out after being sucked down (This one does not want to let go). The safe
way to run this rapid at all levels is through the far river left chute, then move to the right
below the hole. But, once your probe (i.e. guide), establishes the safety of the area from
downstream of the hole, he or she can indicate to the rest of the team the other lines that can
open up to run (this phenomenon is totally water level dependent).
Another must-make maneuver is the left chute at 'Old Mill Rapid' [N36o 7.374', W84o 45.433']. This
is another far river left (narrow and 90o angled) 'S' turn. Here the left chute drops you into a
small non-sticky hole, where you peel out to the right. There are other routes that open up now and
again, but many times these routes are full of strainers.
There are several undercut rocks on this trip, but one you should be aware of is located at N 36o
7.653', W 84o 45.238', about two miles before Jett Bridge. Upon approaching this area, the River
narrows and turns to the left in a shallow chute that increases its velocity. The left shore has
exposed flint and shale with an overhanging rhododendron and hemlock forest. As one comes out of
this chute the river splits. A small stream goes left, and the main current goes river right. If
you take the small stream to the left, you will avoid the undercut. If you do take the right
passage, do it at high water levels. Above 5' at the Jett Bridge gauge (8.75' at Lilly) one will
not have to experience the sickening pull on the bottom of the boat just before being sucked in. At
lower levels, trip rocks (beginning in the middle of the passage) will take an unwary boater left
and directly into this dark crevice.
An eighth of a mile later on river left you will encounter a landmark called "Grouper Rock". It is
not long after this that you will find yourself at Jett Bridge.
This is a remote area. There are no roads, railroads, or permanent signs of man between bridges. If
you get into trouble, your team is your best way out. Experienced guides who know this river can
help make it an exciting novice run. (Don't leave home without one).
Patrick Martin (ETWC)
325 Skyline View LN
Kingston TN, 37763
at 2 of these spots on 4/17/04. The first is 1/4 of the way down and very visible. The second is
2/3 of the way to Jett and not visible without scouting.At this location you will see an undercut
boulder where most of the current bears right but what you cant see from the river is that after
the first undercut the river takes a sharp left into another undercut boulder. Our paddler became
trapped under this rock and completely underwater for at least 10 seconds. The third location is
just upstream of Jett and also very visible. All these spots are easily avoidable for paddlers with
basic boat control skills. However, I bring this to your attention because Monte Smith's Obed/Emory
book(no longer in print) calls this "an excellent run for beginners" and this is definitely not
true due the hazards mentioned above.