Beech Fork Expedition

A group of ten Bardstown Boaters paddled 20 miles of the Beech Fork on Saturday and Sunday. They ran from Maud, KY to Highway 49.

Here are pictures from the trip.

Here is the GPS Route of the trip.

Jay Thomas has this report.

Great trip. Then entire Maud to HWY 49 is a great run, but the Maud to Fredericksburg section is a definite plus with many riffles and current to keep everything moving. At 300 CFS the entire run was done at the minimum required flow IMO. I'm interested to see the Maud to Fredericksburg with more water. Wildlife was the coolest with sightings of a racoon, deer, and plenty of birds. Several red tail hawk nests along the float keep the prey birds soaring and screaching. Plus the surprising nesting sights of the herons. At only two locations along the float Bill counted over 100 nests, at both locations most nests crowded in one to two trees.

View Larger Map

Manton Bridge to HWY 49 is a wonderful section to have the Paddle Pickup, as long as there is enough flow. There is plenty of trash to pickup and water time of only about 3 hours it should be great. I think the 250 to 300 cfs should be a minimum for that.

Floyd's Fork Greenway Project

Final Master Plan Presentation

April 22, 2008

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Eastern High School
12400 Old Shelbyville Rd.

21st Century Parks, Inc. invites you to attend the fourth in a series of public meetings managed by Wallace, Roberts and Todd, LLC, selected master planners for the Floyd's Fork Greenway Project (The Fork). Attendees will be able to review the final Master Plan for the parks and trails along Floyd's Fork. The meeting will be held at the Eastern High School auditorium on Tuesday, April 22nd. Doors will open at 6pm with a presentation to follow. You can also view the final presentation at www.21cparks.org after April 22nd.

As part of the "City of Parks" initiative, the Floyd's Fork Greenway Project (The Fork) will encompass a system of parks, trails and open spaces roughly following Floyd's Fork from Shelbyville Road to Bardstown Road.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if anyone has a disability and requires assistance, or if you have a general question regarding this meeting, please notify Janice Hogue on (502) 583.0350.

Elkhorn City, KY Whitewater Park

Elkhorn City may beat out Bardstown on the chance at having the first Kentucky whitewater park.

From Boatertalk

We (the Elkhorn City Heritage Council) were notified yesterday that we'd won a grant to develop a feasibility study to create several streambed play features in the downtown Elkhorn City area.

As many of you might know, the Russell runs right through the middle of Elkhorn City, with a decent bit of gradient. There are several spots we've looked at over the years that, with minimal 'help', could become sweet play spots. Now we've got a few dollars (ok, more than a few) to pay the professionals who do this kind of thing.

Our mantra for this project is 'minimalism is best'. We're hoping to create features that come in when the river is down to its normal low summer flows (around 200cfs), but remain in as the river gets up to fall release flows (800+). We are absolutely NOT trying to divert the streambed, alter the normal flows, etc, etc. If we can't do it in the existing streambed with minimal work, we're not doing anything. Also, this work is NOT be tied to the efforts to get low water releases on the Fork in summer. What we have in mind wouldn't rely on any supplement to the natural flow.

Our goal, of course, is to broaden the appeal of whitewater on the RF and get more folks into downtown E.C. Our models are the several Colorado locations which have created these types of 'whitewater parks' in existing streambeds.

BTW, a major component of the grant is a local education campaign to try to wean everyone from the county judge to the local dog-catcher from referring to all whitewater activities as 'raftin'. While we got nothing against raftin, that's certainly not what the vast majority of paddlers are doing here. We'll also be heading into the local schools pushing the youth to get interested. The Council will be purchasing a creek boat and boating gear (paddle, helmet, pfd) for these public presentations, along with some whitewater videos featuring the Fork. We're always open to interested sponsors.

The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council is a registered 501c3 non-profit corporation.

Paddle Pickup May 31st

The 2008 flyer for the Paddle Pickup is here. Download it, print it out and tell all your friends!



Download Flyer (8mb)

2008 Bourbon City Challenge

The 2008 Bourbon City Challenge planning stages are under way and the director of the event, Bob White has the following news about the big event set for September 14th, 2008.

From Bob White

Despite the rain and mud, you folks came through in a great show of sportsmanship, with smiles shining through the grit, to give this event a name for itself in the inaugural year. Thank you for making it great!

We are in the planning stages for this year's event - looking for sponsors, volunteers to help with the trail preparation and guidance help on race day. Of course more racers are welcome, so talk your friends into joining you this year.

If you, or if you know of someone who, would like to have an active role in this year's event, please contact me via email so we can get to work to make this year's race even better than 2007. We're looking for friendly folks who enjoy working in the outdoors with a bunch of cool people in making, not only the race better, but also Sympson Lake shores a bit nicer.

Also, we have yet to secure a title sponsor. Bulleit Bourbon last year really helped out and we hope they again pledge their support. The title sponsor received more than a million, total, mentions through television, radio and print promotions regarding the race, so it's well worth supporting.

Thanks again for making this race so great!

For more information visit www.kyrace.com

Garbage Warrior

Nelson County Climate Change Meeting

The second public meeting concerning what can be done locally to positively affect and decrease global warming was Monday evening at the Bardstown-Nelson County Civic Center.

Results from small-group discussions at the last meeting, which outlined things individuals can do about climate change were shared with attendees. Some of the ideas included: recycling, growing backyard gardens, composting, supporting the local Farmer’s Market, walking more and driving less, bringing bags to the grocery store and recycling rain water.

The next Climate Change meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. April 24 and will focus on what churches can do to lead in the effort for reducing the effects of climate change.

Beech Fork Surf Wave Discovered

Reported By Spalding Hurst

While in the Boston, KY area yesterday, I had a chance to check out a portion of the Beech Fork near my cousin's farm. I couldn't believe what I found. A perfect surfing wave that seems to be good at many levels and with great access from Highway 62. I would compare this wave to Surfers on the Cumberland though not as wide.

What is even stranger is it appears that some kayakers have been to this spot before. I found a pogie on the ground!

The level this day was about 850cfs, but it looks to be very good at most any level.

I am pumped about this wave. As soon as I get on it and get some pictures of it I plan to name it after the club. I am going to try and go down there again one night this week.