Big Canoe Creek

Approx 9.75 miles, 6.5-7 hours at 217 on the gauge.

May 4, 2014, I floated a section of Big Canoe Creek with the Birmingham Grotto.  This gem is only 1 hour north of Birmingham, yet I had no idea it was there before we went.    There is a group called the Friends of Big Canoe Creek that are advocates for the watershed.  They have a very nice website, check it out.

The level was 217 on the USGS gauge.  *always check and make sure water levels are safe before going on any paddling trip*
With frequent stops it took us 6.5 - 7 hours to paddle this section.

Rock formations in the water

Take-out is US 231.  Due to landowner concerns do not take out at Pine Dale rd. bridge.  

Relaxing scenery on Big Canoe Creek

The creek is mellow here, with good current until around the Pine Dale Rd. bridge.  We paddled on in very flat water to Hwy 231. There are some old bridge pilings, which I always want to go back online and investigate as to their history...
The put-in is on Ramsey Rd.  with limited parking.  We put in below the bridge, on river right.

Put-in

There were some limbo trees, and a couple of easy portages.  Plenty of spots to stop and swim or eat lunch. At one place we stopped there was a fish spawning party upstream. We watched them as they leapt out of the water from a deep pool.  Water quality was excellent and there was very little trash.
The take-out on 231 has a wide parking area in the grass.  Beware the giant, deep potholes when driving your vehicle down to the parking area.

Take-out bridge at 231

Link to my photos: http://dangerjudy.smugmug.com/Other/PADDLING/Big-Canoe-Creek-May-4-2014/
Here is a screenshot showing the putin and takeouts on the section we paddled, click for a live map.

My friend Bradley, who is a member of the Friends of Big Canoe Creek, provided the following information for access to the creek:

33.799228 -86.488563 Murphees Valley Rd (gauge found here under bridge with .8 being min float level for section 2)

Section 1 (Deer Haven Road to Canoe Creek Road bridge) - gorgeous section needing 1.4 or higher - kayak recommended
33.755066 -86.579654 Deer Haven Road
33.793450 -86.517212 Canoe Creek Road Bridge

Section 2 (Canoe Creek Road Bridge to Washington Valley Bridge)
5 hours with grotto group of 11 leisurely floating
33.793450 -86.517212 Canoe Creek Road Bridge
33.804470 -86.419580 Washington Valley Bridge

Section 3 (Washington Valley Bridge to Hwy 11)
my dad and I did this section for fathers day this year at a leisurely paddle which I believe took about 3 hours. a couple of strainers but nothing all that bad
33.804470 -86.419580 Washington Valley Bridge
33.813884 -86.381943 Hwy 11

Section 4 (Hwy 11 to St Clair County 31)
i this section generally takes about 3 hours. unfortunately we came across 10 strainers so it took us around 4 hours. highly recommend taking a saw for this section which honestly should probably be included on any and all canoe trips. i have already notified friends of big canoe creek so they may have already cleaned it up.
33.813884 -86.381943 Hwy 11
33.796482 -86.333020 St Clair County 31 

Section 5 (St Clair County 31 to 231)
33.796482 -86.333020 St Clair County 31
33.840158 -86.262639 5th Ave/US 231

Section 6 (231 to Canoe Creek Marina) 20 miles+-
33.840158 -86.262639 5th Ave/US 231
33.896976,-86.110414 Canoe Creek Marina 41128 US Highway 411  Ashville,AL 35953

Section 7 (411 to Paradise Cove) 10+- miles approx - best done in weekend trip with section 6 due to lack of access points
33.872411,-86.200132 411
33.896833,-86.110412 Canoe Creek Bait Shop 41128 Us Highway 411, Ashville, AL 35953


SAFETY WARNING