Sugar Creek, Indiana, US
|
|
Darlington (1.2 miles)
| Usual Difficulty |
I-II (for normal flows) |
| Length |
1.2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
10 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
10 fpm |
Gauge Information
River Description
Put-in: County Road 575N at County Road 800 E. Paddlers usually put in above this trestle on the
river left side.
Take-out: County Road 700 E bridge, north of Darlington -OR- County Road 500 E bridge, just past
(west of) Darlington.
There are several excellent play waves just downstream from the trestle at levels above 3' on the
USGS gage.
There apparently are several options for runs on this river.
Craig Nyquist reports (2008-12-02):
I usually do a run from the bridge on County Line Rd (1200W) (about ½ way between
Darlington and Thorntown), down to the covered bridge just west of Darlington off of 500N (Main
St). This can also be continued down to Crawfordsville if you want a long day.
Also 500 cfs (2.15') is a good low for this reach.
This would provide a trip of about 6.25 miles, or (to Crawfordsville) about 15 miles! This would
probably be more 'canoe tripping' than 'whitewater'.
Robert H., HCC attests (2008-11-17):
The correct put in is 275 East and the take out is 175 East. Both roads are west of
Darlington on Hwy 47.
At 4 ft (2820 cfs) on the Crawfordsville gage, this section is one long (approximately 1/2 mile)
wave train with 3 ft standing waves.
At 2.3 ft (616 cfs) on the gage, we were scraping bottom and the creek boats couldn't surf. I
suggest a minimum of 2.8 ft (1090 cfs) on the gage.
This actually provides a trip of about 1 mile, and apparently concentrates on a portion with
whitewater play.
Robert H. Hoosier Canoe Club further provides (2009-04-30):
Sugar Creek has many waves and limestone ledges between Thorntown and Shades State Park.
The railroad bridge that Craig N. mentioned is at 800 E.
For those who paddle the Crawfordsville section be cautious of the drowning machine at the coal
power plant [just upstream of the] Hwy.43/231/Washington Street bridge. Portage on river
right.
Most of the creek is pretty scrapy at less than 1350 cfs and makes it difficult to really enjoy
playing.
The section shown in the picture is the long wave train just past the 275 E bridge.
There is another wave train with large waves shortly after 175 E.
This one has island service and would make an okay park and play location at above 1000 cfs.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-06-02 22:31:58
Editors
User Comments
800cfs. This is a good mid to low class 1 level with very nice surfing. We put in at County line
Rd. between Darlington and Thorntown and took out at the covered bridge just west of Darlington.
The upper part of this reach has some flat parts with riffles and some small rapids. The "good
stuff" kicks in at the RR Bridge, with some other class 1 stuff later. If you just want to surf and
play then just put in at the RR Bridge and maybe look for higher levels (above 1000cfs).