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Access Site KY

Take Out

Bear Creek Big South Fork Cumberland River

Source: american_whitewater Updated 3 months ago

City: KY
County: McCreary
Type: Whitewater Take Out
Location: 36.62670000, -84.53310000
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Whitewater Run
III-IV(V) Take-out Bear Creek - Turkey Branch to Big South Fork (~2.2 miles)
90 ft/mi
View Run
Current Conditions
Whitewater Runs on Bear Creek
1 run
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Bear Creek is a medium-sized whitewater stream located in McCreary County, Kentucky, with this take-out access point serving paddlers completing runs on the creek. The water body is a headwater stream system with a total length of 21.52 miles and features a significant elevation drop of 1,343 feet overall, creating an average gradient of 62.4 feet per mile. This gradient indicates a fast-moving, technical stream suitable for experienced whitewater paddlers.

The creek maintains an average flow of 8.39 cubic feet per second with an average velocity of 1.23 feet per second, though these figures can vary significantly based on rainfall and seasonal conditions. The drainage area of 89 square miles supports a Stream Order 5 classification, indicating a moderately developed river system. Paddlers using this take-out should be prepared for continuous whitewater conditions and should scout the creek before running, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the specific hazards and features of Bear Creek.

This take-out location in McCreary County provides access for completing whitewater paddling trips on the creek. Paddlers should verify current water conditions and flow rates before planning trips, as the creek's steepness and gradient suggest it may have seasonal variations in paddlability. Local knowledge and recent trip reports are recommended before attempting runs on Bear Creek.