Canoe Kentucky - Rafting and Canoe trips over mild white water

Elkhorn Creek, with its North and South Forks, flows northwest draining portions of Jessamine,Fayette, Scott, Woodford, and Franklin counties before emptying into the Kentucky River north of Frankfort. Because of its mild whitewater, beautiful scenery, plentiful access, and proximity to four major urban areas, the Elkhorn is fast becoming Kentucky's most popular canoeing stream.

NORTH FORK OF ELKHORN CREEK.

The North Fork of Elkhorn Creek flows through Scott County and is runnable from late fall to late spring from Georgetown downstream. Several dams in the Georgetown vicinity create pools that permit the paddling certain two- to four-mile stretches year-round. These stretches have been used for several years as a training site for a group of USCA marathon canoe-racing contenders.

The absence of current in the dam pool stretches makes round trips possible and thus eliminates the need for a shuttle. By and large, the North Fork winds through rolling farmland. Trees line the mud and rock banks that vary markedly in height and steepness. The most popular run on the North Fork begins at the covered bridge near Switzer and terminates at the confluence of the North and South Forks. In this stretch the stream grows progressively more rocky and many small ledges and rapids appear (all Class I). Access is good all along the North Fork. Dangers to navigation include dams (as mentioned) that you must portaged, and deadfalls. The level of difficulty is Class I throughout and the average width is 35 to 40 feet.

SOUTH FORK OF ELKHORN CREEK.

Similar to the North Fork, the South Fork of Elkhorn Creek is also very seasonal, being runnable only during the winter and spring. Tree lined and flowing through gently rolling terrain amidst fertile fields and picturesque Bluegrass horse farms, the South Fork can be paddled below (downstream of) Fishers Mill in Woodford County. An exceptionally winding stream with continually changing vistas, the South Fork of Elkhorn Creek sports a variety of small riffles and ledges to enliven the paddling. Access is good and the level of difficulty is Class I. Hazards to navigation include deadfalls, cattle gates, and large dam near the confluence with the North Fork.

FORKS OF ELKHORN TO THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

Northeast of Frankfort at Forks of Elkhorn, the two forks of the creek come together. Here begins the most popular and scenic of the Elkhorn's many offerings; six miles of lively Class-I and Class-II whitewater. Runnable from late fall to early summer, this six-mile stretch is a perfect training ground for the novice whitewater paddler. Running through a deep gorge with exposed rock walls sometimes reaching 200 feet in height, the rapids, riffles, and ledges are almost continuous. In all there are four legitimate Class-II rapids on this run with perhaps eight additional high Class-I or borderline Class-II's. Several islands punctuate the stream, all except the first of which (at the very beginning of the run) are normally run on the right side. At low water the run is technical and helpful in developing water reading skills. At high water (3 feet) large standing waves predominate. Access is good. Dangers to navigation include a dam (mandatory portage) adjacent to the Old Grand-Dad Distillery, low-hanging branches, spring logjams, and a huge, uprooted tree trunk in the middle of a rapid as one approaches the railroad bridge about a half mile below the dam.

Downstream of the whitewater section, the Elkhorn continues swift and beautiful, flowing over a rock bed as it moves towards its rendezvous with the Kentucky. This final section clears the rocky gorge and drops into an intimate valley. Ledges, riffles, and small rapids persist, as do some more, fairly large islands. The stream's width fluctuates widely in this section from a constricting 35 feet to a broad and shallow 90 feet. Access is good and dead falls and log jams are the only navigational dangers.
The level of difficulty is Class I.

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