Canoeing & Kayaking Kentucky (eBook)

Table of Contents

Map List ix
Acknowledgments xii
Introduction 1
The Drainages of Kentucky 2
Kentucky Wild Rivers System 4
Rating River Difficulty 6
American Whitewater River 7
Classification System
Using River Gauges 8
Water Lever Sites 8
Hazards and Safety 9
Winter Paddling 9
Cold-Weather Survival 10
Paddler Information 11
Rating the Paddler 11
Knowing Your Rights on the River 15
Environmental Concerns 16
Using This Guide 17
Map Legend 19

Part One
STREAMS OF THE EASTERN COAL FIELDS
Russell Fork 21
Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy Fork 25
Johns Creek 30
Little Sandy River 32
Tygarts Creek 36

Part Two
THE LICKING RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES
North Fork of the Licking River 38
Middle Fork of the Licking River 40
Hinkston Creek 46
Stoner Creek 48
South Fork of the Licking River 50
Licking River

Part Three
THE KENTUCKY RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES
North Fork of the Kentucky River 56
Middle Fork of the Kentucky River 64
Red Bird River 68
South Fork of the Kentucky River 70
Kentucky River below the Forks 73
Red River 86
Four Mile Creek 92
Lower Howard’s Creek 94
Boone Creek 96
Hickman Creek 98
Jessamine Creek 102
Dix River 104
Hanging Fork of the Dix River 106
Gilbert Creek 108
Benson Creek 110
South Fork of Elkhorn Creek 113
North Fork of Elkhorn Creek 114
Elkhorn Creek 116
Eagle Creek 118

Part Four
CREEK DRAINAGES OF MADISON COUNTY
Calloway Creek 120
Muddy Creek 122
West Fork/Main Stem of Otter Creek 125
East Prong of Otter Creek 127
Silver Creek 130
Tates Creek 133

Part Five
THE CUMBERLAND RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES
Poor Fork of the Cumberland River 135
North Fork of the Cumberland River 137
Laurel River 145
Rockcastle River 147
Buck Creek 153
Big South Fork Gorge of the Cumberland
River (Tennessee) 155
Big South Fork of the Cumberland River
(Kentucky) 157
Little South Fork of the Cumberland River 160
Rock Creek 162
Cumberland River from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee Border 164

Part Six
THE SALT RIVER SYSTEM OF THE WESTERN BLUEGRASS
Salt River 166
Plum Creek 170
Floyds Fork of the Salt River 172
Rolling Fork of the Salt River 175
Beech Fork of the Rolling Fork
of the Salt River 177

Part Seven
HEADWATERS OF THE GREEN RIVER
Green River 179
Russell Creek 186
Barren River 188
Drakes Creek 192
Gasper River 195
Little Barren River 197
Nolin River 200

Part Eight
STREAMS OF THE WESTERN COAL FIELDS
Tradewater River 204
Pond River 206
Panther Creek 208
Rough River 210
Mud River 214
Green River from Houchins Ferry to the Ohio River 216

Part Nine
STREAMS OF LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES
Cumberland River north of Lake Barkley 221
Tennessee River north of Kentucky Lake 223
Muddy Fork of the Little River 224
Little River 226
Land Between the Lakes Paddle Route 227

Part Ten
STREAMS OF THE JACKSON PURCHASE
Bayou du Chien 232
Obion Creek 234
Mayfield Creek 236
Clarks River 238

Part Eleven
WATERS OF SPECIAL MENTION
Ballard Wildlife Management Area 240
Red River of Logan County 242
Harrods Creek of Oldham and
Jefferson Counties 244
Little Kentucky River 246
Other Paddling Streams 246

Appendices
Appendix A:
American Whitewater Safety Code 249
Appendix B: Outfitters 256
Appendix C: Clubs 258
Appendix D: Glossary 269
Index 261
About the Authors 267