Rockcastle, Kentucky, US
|
|
Beech Creek to Bee Rock Campground (5 miles) (Lower Rockcastle)
| Usual Difficulty |
III-IV (for normal flows) |
| Length |
5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
11 fpm |
Running the Narrows
Running the NarrowsPhoto of Andy taken 07/15/01 @ 400 cfs ?
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
ROCKCASTLE RIVER AT BILLOWS, KY
|
|
usgs-03406500 |
200 - 3000 cfs
|
III-IV |
00h49m |
914
cfs
(rc= 0.6 ) |
Bigger, pushier flows (moderate to moderately-high). |
River Description
Classic Cumberland Plateau boating. This narrow river has sections of whitewater to give any
capable boater goose bumps. The narrows section is representative of the boulder choked,
undercut, and sieved rapid-pool style whitewater associated with the Cumberland Plateau.
Class IV Beech Narrows is the only non-read-and-run rapid, making this 5 mile section of
whitewater perfect for all skill levels. While remote and wild this section also has trails
following the river on both sides eventually ending downstream at Bee Rock Campground.
The Rockcastle Narrows sections becomes very pushy and has a bigger water feel at levels above
1000 CFS. Bring your reliable roll when paddling this remote section of whitewater beauty.
In January 2007 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an emergency drawdown of Lake Cumberland, which the
Rockcastle is a tributary of. This drawdown of 30-60 feet depending on what time of the year it
is ensures that the entire Lower Narrows sections will not be covered by the lake like it is most
of the year. The project to repair the dam, the reason for the drawdown, is expected to take 2-7
years depending upon the sucess and progress of the project.
A 25 minute park and hike-in shuttle takes the old monster drive/shuttle out of play. It is the
503 Trail that also connects to the 529 trail at Bee Rock Campground making the shuttle
completely hikeable (~50 minutes). This completely takes out all the flat water sections of the
Rockcastle except that between Beech and Lower Narrows.
The 503 trail actually hits the river downstream of Beech Narrows so you will probaby want ot
turn left (upstream) when you intersect with the riverside trail on the hike in.
From Bee Rock take 192 west two miles then turn right onto Close Rd. Two (2) miles in be on the
lookout for orange diamond shaped trail markers(labled 503) on the trees about 8 feet up on the
left side of the road. Parking is immediately ahead on both sides of the road. Park off the road
as there is regular traffic here. Never block road gates in the National Forest they are there
for emergency purposes.
Here is a map of the Rockcastle whitewater
section. It shows the old put in and take out along with routes of the whitewater run and the
shuttle.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2011-05-30 01:09:16
Editors
Stairsteps
Rockcastle Trail marker
Rockcastle Narrows
Rapid B Downstream
Steven in the first drop
Rapid 02 Downstream resized
Rapid 04 (lower narrows)
Duane at Drop 5
In the top of Guys Surprise
Sublime moment
User Comments
guess the dam is fixed. Beware of the flatwater.
-------------------------------------------------Note from jasonfoley Streamkeeper-- The lake is
now receding from an extreme set of circumstances during spring 2011 involving downstream flooding
all the way through the watershed and well into the Mississippi River downstream of the Cumberlands
confluence. The lake has dropped about 14 feet over the past 10 days and continues to recede. This
section of river will still be available to paddle until the dam has been repaired. The Dam has not
yet been fixed. Thanks for the updates!-----------
Rockcastle is much more forgiving at levels below 800cfs. At these lower levels there is more time
to react, more eddies to catch and not as much push. I think it is a III/IV run in this range, with
Beech Narrows and Teeth possibly being IV's. Once you get much over 1000cfs I believe the whole run
works it's way into the IV range. The lower narrows section turns into one class IV rapid that's a
half-mile long, with push and holes to avoid. At 5000cfs, Beech becomes a significant V, while the
lower narrows turns into upper Gauley quality stuff. I will agree that levels over 1000cfs are a
lot of fun, and class IV boaters should enjoy this range. However, I think it is misleading to
suggest that 1500cfs is easier or safer than 300cfs. The again, I could be wrong. I have over 100
runs on this stretch from 60cfs to 5000 cfs and this is just my opinion.
this river its name is one. Two, the rapid section from beech to bee rock above 2500cfs is some of
the best set of rapids you will find in this state. I have run this section at 3200cfs and it is a
blast, but starting to flush. 2200cfs to 2500cfs is the best level for surfing. There are a hand
full of surf spots that you can play in until your heart desires, or until you are so tired that
you think you may have to save some energy to procede to take out. Don't let high cfs #'s turn you
off of this section. I think that this river is more dangerous at lower levels, ie 800cfs or below,
than above 1500cfs. Be safe and have fun but always know your skill level. This section of river is
a true Class IV river, at low or high water. Edit
drops were totally doable without having to worry about scraping your boat up. Also, the gauge is
about 16 miles upstream from the Narrows with a good number of tributaries in-between. As a guess,
it takes about 8-12 hours for the water at the gauge to reach the Narrows and depending on where
rain falls the tributaries can add a significant amount to the gauge reading. Expect the gauge to
bump 1-2 days after a good rain. Edit
2007 at 460cfs