https://dangerjudy.smugmug.com/Other/PADDLING/Paint-Rock-River-2019/
The only gauge for the Paint Rock river is many miles downstream at Woodville https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=03574500 and it read in the 350 cfs range. It was enough but just enough for the float.
I am not certain of the usefulness of the Woodville gauge for judging flow for the section we paddled - but it is all we have. The Birmingham Grotto paddled this section in July of 2013 and had over twice the cfs showing on the Woodville gauge, but I would not say the river was over twice as high. Photos of that trip are here:https://dangerjudy.smugmug.com/Other/PADDLING/Paint-Rock-River-2013/
A map to a few different putin and takeout options for the Paint Rock River is here: http://goo.gl/maps/BIeAe. I believe that during our 2012 SERA event some B'ham Grotto members did the section above the one we did, but stout rains would be required to float it.
We put in across from Freedom Baptist Church in Estill Fork, and took out at County Road 507 for a 5 hour trip. There are two bridges we crossed under; the section after the second bridge is slackwater. I believe we have not chosen to take out at the second bridge due to difficult access but I haven't checked to confirm this. The third bridge on CR 507 has a trail just downstream on river right where you can carry boats easily, though there is a considerable amount of decaying logs and branches generously dotted with plastic bottles and other trash. This takeout could use a clean-up.
Still, the river itself has very little trash except for random tires embedded in the river bottom, visible below the very clear water,. The amount of wildlife, especially different birds, is amazing. A wild turkey flew across the river 20 yards in front of my kayak; we spooked great blue herons; There were ducks, one of which did a distressed/wounded act downstream to keep me away from her nest; a few hawks, and several turkey vultures. Many different songbirds sang as we drifted down the river and I regretted not being able to identify them. I saw a large softshell turtle on a bank with its neck extended, darting back into the water before I could get my camera focused.
The section we paddled goes past the entrance to Henshaw Cove adjoining the Skyline Wildlife Management area. This is a great place to visit for a hike, with a parking area, being mindful of hunting seasons. If you do visit Henshaw Cove be prepared to cross the creek on foot.
I am not certain of the usefulness of the Woodville gauge for judging flow for the section we paddled - but it is all we have. The Birmingham Grotto paddled this section in July of 2013 and had over twice the cfs showing on the Woodville gauge, but I would not say the river was over twice as high. Photos of that trip are here:https://dangerjudy.smugmug.com/Other/PADDLING/Paint-Rock-River-2013/
A map to a few different putin and takeout options for the Paint Rock River is here: http://goo.gl/maps/BIeAe. I believe that during our 2012 SERA event some B'ham Grotto members did the section above the one we did, but stout rains would be required to float it.
We put in across from Freedom Baptist Church in Estill Fork, and took out at County Road 507 for a 5 hour trip. There are two bridges we crossed under; the section after the second bridge is slackwater. I believe we have not chosen to take out at the second bridge due to difficult access but I haven't checked to confirm this. The third bridge on CR 507 has a trail just downstream on river right where you can carry boats easily, though there is a considerable amount of decaying logs and branches generously dotted with plastic bottles and other trash. This takeout could use a clean-up.
The section we paddled goes past the entrance to Henshaw Cove adjoining the Skyline Wildlife Management area. This is a great place to visit for a hike, with a parking area, being mindful of hunting seasons. If you do visit Henshaw Cove be prepared to cross the creek on foot.
UPDATE 4-11-21 We did the Paint Rock from Freedom Baptist Church to County Rd. 507 (Third bridge) at 900 cfs on the Woodville gauge. Even though the creek looked low at the putin, and a drag over shallow rocks not far downstream, we had no other portages and plenty of water and current for the third bridge. We stopped for lunch and had a leisurely 4-5 hour float. Photos here.
