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News from the Big Raccoon Creek in Historic Parke County provided by: The Raccoon River Rat |
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NEWS FROM THE CREEK Tuesday April 24
Howdy from Big Raccoon Creek Springtime is HereBoy has this been a winter here in Parke County, as far as Big Raccoon Creek was concerned. We have had so much rain that Raccoon Lake never did get dumped down to winter pool. http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/wc/reports/lkreport.html Consequently, the Corps have been keeping the creek at near banks full most of the winter. Part of that was good, and part was bad, depending on your point of view. From the paddle sports enthusiasts view the floods have swept the creek from Mansfield to Bridgeton clear of debris. We went down the creek for our opening season survey today from Base Camp at Old Mansfield Village to Bridgeton, 7.56 miles. The creek is completely different from last summer. All the huge trees in the creek have been swept into enormous log piles in the bends and deposited, thankfully, out of the way of canoeing. We only found 4 places where we need to do a little cutting to make passage just a little safer for Adventurers. From Bridgeton Mill owner Mike Rowe’s view it was bad because he never did get to accomplish repairs on the Mill Dam. Mike & Karen Rowe are very nice people and “pro canoe”. Don’t miss a chance to visit with them and hear Mike’s Dam stories. WildlifeWe left Base Camp in the late morning, @ 9:30, but still saw lots of wildlife. Many water birds are on the creek in pairs this nesting season. We saw several pairs of Canada Geese, Mallards and Coots. We also watched at least 4 Great Blue Herons hop-scotch down the creek as we came around each bend. They get tired of being pushed out of their territory after a while and fly up and away and return to their favorite haunt back up creek. We surprised this coyote and were amazed at his/her ability to scale an almost vertical cliff at lightening speed. He stood on the top of a 100 foot bank and watched us go on by. From now on this high bank will be “Coyote Cliffs” to us. We saw two large hawks, but did not get close enough to identify them. We were moving pretty fast in our survey and making no attempt to be stealthy. There are always bright blue noisy Kingfishers along the creek One especially complained of our passing so I assumed she had a nest nearby. We were pleasantly surprised when a young Muskrat surfaced 6 feet off our starboard side and swam along with us for at least a minute. He looked us over and finally turned bottoms up. He did not seem the least bit afraid. We saw a small herd of @ 8 Deer run through a tributary creek where it emptied into Big Raccoon just above Bridgeton. The best time to observe wildlife on the creek is early morning. Try to stay overnight in the area and get an early start. Call Bill @ the Mansfield Guest Inn @ 812-877-9831, or check his web site @ www.mansfieldguestinn.com. We have found that a leisurely float, minimum paddling, and being very quite offers the best opportunity to see and not spook critters. Wear natural colors, green or brown, no bright hats. Our Green Old Town canoes are best for nature viewing. Aluminum canoes just make too much noise. WATERLEVELThe Corps have cut back the release of water from Raccoon Lake so the creek is at a nice spring time level. We only touched bottom in one ripple the entire trip. BUT, the water is still cold, so I’m glad I did not get wet! RIVER WISEIf you adventure down the creek with Raccoon Creek Voyageurs or on your own, be very cautious of the Mill Dams at Mansfield and Bridgeton. Last winter in the high water two Kayakers were swept over the falls at Bridgeton. By accident or on purpose we do not know. They survived, but have burses to prove their indiscretition. The exit at Mansfield is on the RIGHT at a set of old railroad tie steps just above the old Mill. The Exit at Bridgeton is on the LEFT at the entrance to the Mill Sluiceway. At Bridgeton, DO NOT go under the concrete or Covered bridge while on the main flow of the creek. There is a 9 foot waterfall We survey the creek frequently and try to keep removed snags that could sweep a Paddler out of their canoe in a rapids. Always think ahead and plan each ripple carefully CONSERVATIONPlease preserve the creek for the future generation to enjoy also. Leave only the “Wake of your Paddle”
The Raccoon River Rat |
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NEWS FROM THE CREEK
Thursday April 26
We have received 10 new
Dimention, “sit-on” Kayaks this spring for our Adventurers to enjoy
this summer. We have 2, Spirit Duo, two person Kayaks that are broad
of beam and very stable. We also received 5 Spirit single person
Kayaks that are very fast. And for the younger kids we have 2
Cricket Kayaks, 9 feet, that can turn on a dime and only weigh in at
33#s.
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| NEWS FROM THE CREEK Monday
April 30 Howdy from Big Raccoon Creek 2ND WORK PARTY, RACCOON LAKE TAILWATER TO MANSFIELD This was our first trip down this section of the creek this year. It is very different than below Mansfield. The fall is greater and the water is a little swifter. This is the best Kayak section of the creek. Mark Wagner, RCV’s Watercourse Conservation Manager and I in a row boat, and Marty Miranda in a Spirit Kayak surveyed the condition of the creek and cut out obstructions. There is much more “underwater” logs, and large log jams in the turns on this section. We did a lot of work, and have more to do, but the creek is passable to all watercraft. WILDLIFE We saw much Beaver sign on this section. Some really huge trees, three feet in diameter are being chewed on by the beaver. Perhaps they are building a Bridge? We were traveling fast and making a lot of chain saw noise, so we did not seek many small critters, just mostly birds. WATERLEVEL This upper section of the creek, near the Raccoon lake Dam is typically the lowest water along the entire length of the creek. As small streams further downstream flow in, more water is added. The water flow over ripples and rapids below Bridgeton is typically one to two times as deep as immediately below the Dam. Marty bottomed his Kayak a few times, but this was his first time in a Kayak, so he is learning to “read” the water. RIVER WISE There are more homes and cabins on this stretch of Big Raccoon than anywhere else along the creek. Several right at the waters edge. Please respect these neighbors privacy when you paddle by and don’t be loud, or get out on their property. The live on the creek mainly because of the peace and quiet. Every one we have met have been very nice so say hello as you go by.
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