Take Out

This take-out site on Black Creek near Athens in Marathon County provides access to a significant whitewater paddling destination. Black Creek is a large river system (stream order 6) with substantial flow averaging 479 cubic feet per second, making it suitable for experienced paddlers. The creek descends over 528 feet across its 65-mile length, with an average gradient of 8.1 feet per mile, indicating consistent moving water conditions throughout much of the paddling season.

The take-out location is positioned along Black Creek's lower section, approximately 217 miles from the river mouth. With an average water velocity of 1.8 feet per second and significant drainage area of 450 square miles, paddlers should expect moderate to strong current conditions depending on seasonal flow and recent rainfall. The elevation at this take-out point is approximately 15 meters, indicating you're in the lower portion of the creek system.

Paddlers using this take-out should be prepared for whitewater paddling conditions typical of Wisconsin's larger river systems. The site serves as an exit point for multi-mile paddling trips upstream. Water levels and current speed vary seasonally, so checking current conditions before launching is essential for safe paddling on Black Creek.