Beech Fork Duck Race

Beech Fork water level: 20cfs

Today was the Duck Race fundraiser for project graduation and the United Way. The Bardstown Boates were helping out with the event, so Kenny, Jay and I decided to get out there early to paddle up the Beech Fork and scout things for the Paddle Pickup in two weeks.

We put on at the dam in the very low water conditions, but with the pool behind the dam we were able to paddle with no problems. We went up to the BG bridge where the water finally shallowed a bit, and then we paddled back. Not much current out there, lots of scum on the water surface.

We had a good look at the rubble dam in the low water. The drop was well defined and all the rocks were uncovered. Also it appears that someone had been down there taking grades at the rubble dam. Hopefully it was someone who might help with the park.

At 2pm we had the big duck race. Dropping 1200 rubber ducks at the rubble dam, they drifted to the bridge and across the finish line. The winner recieves $1000 and over $3000 was raised for charity.

It was another great day on the water with much trip planning conversation and preperations for the big event, the Paddle Pickup, taking place.

I'll see you all down there in two weeks!

Rubber Duck Race - Memorial Day

WBRT in Bardstown is holding a fundraiser to benefit Bardstown schools. They will be releasing up to 5000 rubber ducks on the Beech Fork and the winner will win $1000. You can get your own duck in the race for $5. Call WBRT at (502) 348-3943 for an entry.

The Bardstown Boaters will be helping out by wrangling in the ducks on the river. If you would like to help us out, the race is on Memorial Day Monday, May 28th at 1pm. Meet at the Beech Fork off of New Haven road, Highway 31E in bardstown.

Post in the forum here if you plan to help.

Paddle Pickup Coming Soon

The Paddle Pickup is less than a month away! Please mark your calendar for Saturday, June 9th and join us for the 3rd Annual Paddle Pickup. A Bardstown Boaters river cleanup tradition in Bardstown.

We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Beech Fork in Bardstown, KY where 31e crosses the river. Look for our tent to register. Mike Hammons of Central Kentucky Canoe & Kayak will be offering canoes to anyone who would like to paddle during the cleanup. Or if you like you can help in the cleanup on foot on the banks.

Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt for their help. But the best part of the day is seeing all the garbage that we will pull out of the river.

Visit the Paddle Pickup section of our website to learn more about the history of this event.

Cumberland River

1700cfs

7 of us paddled the Cumberland below the Falls this Saturday. The weather was great, a little overcast at first but the sun came out later for a beautiful day on the water. Everything was in, Last Drop, Screaming Right, Stairsteps, all the way to the class II stuff at Bark Camp.

We paddled all the way out and it wasn't bad at all. The last 5 miles or so of the Cumberland is usually flat water, but now with the lake being low, a lot of that flat water is moving current. It took 4 hours to run, put-in to take-out.

I'll be back on The Cumberland again this year, probably more than once. I have some video from Screaming Right and Last Drop up on YouTube.

Salt River Basin Team Coming June 4th

The Salt River Basin Team, a group consisting of Div. of Forestry and Div. of Water officials along with a pack of tree huggers, are coming to Nelson County June 4 at 9 a.m. at the old courthouse to school local officials on the state of streams in Nelson County. The group will also address any forestry concerns. Since Ag is big here, there are stream concerns relating to fecal coliform and nutrients from fertilizers and plant stuff getting into the water and polluting it.

The Salt River Basin Team has been working to inform local officials about the state of their rivers and creeks since 2005 when their first meeting took place in Bullitt County. Since they've been making their way around the 10-county Salt River Watershed (which Beech Fork is part of) and checking the quality of streams etc.

Additional upcoming meetings include one in Meade Co. June 21 at 9:30 at the courthouse and one in Henry Co May 22nd at 1 p.m. at the courthouse.

Whitewater Park Aerial View

I've added an aerial picture to American Whitewater's page of the proposed whitewater park site on the Beech Fork with a link to it in the whitewater park section of this site.

The image was captured from Flash Earth using the Yahoo! Maps imagery. This image shows the location of the park in relation to downtown Bardstown.

More pictures of the rubble dam on the Beech Fork can be found on Flickr and on the water levels page.

2007 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign

I received an application this week for grant money being offered by Clif Bar and American Whitewater. We now have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. The grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access and/or safety education on our nation’s rivers. This program provides Club Affiliates with the seed money necessary to implement programs in their backyards.

I will apply in order to seek more funds for the Bardstown Whitewater Park campaign.

You can find out more about this grant at American Whitewater.