Pipe Creek, Indiana, US

925 East Rd to 275 South Rd (1.3 miles)

Usual Difficulty	I-II+(V) (for normal flows)
Length	1.3 Miles
Avg. Gradient	20 fpm
Max Gradient	30 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
WILDCAT CREEK NEAR JEROME, IN
usgs-03333450	300 - 2000 cfs	I-II+(V)	00h55m	~ 118 cfs (rc= -0.1 )

River Description

The run is located about four miles north and west of Grissom AFB, or about two miles south and east of Lewisburg (near the confluence with the Wabash River). While it is a fairly short (1.3 mile) stretch, area boaters 'divide' it into two portions.

K-1 (kilometer one) - the upper section, which provides some warm-up rapids. There are three ledges which can be used for endless flat spins and surfs, in addition to a handful of other spots with (generally) sufficient depth to allow great squirt moves.

K-2 (kilometer two) - the second section, begins as the river approaches the road again, starting with Grumpy's Ledge. There are several more ledges, building up to two larger V-shaped slots that develop good holes and wave trains. The last of these is Widowmaker, which (at more than 3 feet on the boaters gauge) contains a massive green wave backed up by a foam-pile. Below Widowmaker you'll find a few waves, and a minor clearing where the road is immediately adjacent. This is the recommended take-out at higher levels, so that you aren't in jeopardy of inadvertently being swept over the dam and falls downstream.

There is one more nice combination, a ledge/hole and a deep hole, Bear Claw, that is good for endless play (even the aerial variety). However, not far downstream lies a 16ft dam and roaring falls, so extreme caution is urged. At lower levels, there is sufficient pool to make playing Bear Claw reasonable for sufficiently skilled boaters.

While the dam/falls reportedly has been run, it should be carefully scouted. The left lands either on rock or in a hole backed up by rock. Fairly well toward river-right the falls is a 'two-step' affair. However, the step/slab of rock is back-cut sufficiently that (at low water) it is possible to paddle back in under the rock and behind the water. While there is another wave/playspot just downstream, there is also another dam downstream which is posted against trespass and a property owner is reportedly very 'boater unfriendly'. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you complete your trip (I.E., take-out) above the first dam.

Comparing to the Big Pine (70 miles to the southwest), Pipe Creek at 2.5 feet (by one report) "has ...far better eddy service ... with a couple of waves comparable to S-Curve (on Big Pine). At just over 4', Pipe is massive! Big waves, sticky holes, and lots of fun." Additionally, its watershed is fairly large, so "the Pipe" will usually be runnable for a few days (to most of a week!) after a good rain in the area.

Thanks to Shaun, Matt, and Doug for providing information.