Once again this year Sand Creek worked its mystery and decided to play its annual HCKC roulette game. With four consecutive days of heavy rainfall totaling 5 inches (up to 24 hours before the scheduled put in) the skies finally cleared to provide a beautiful Springtime day for a downstream float. With an original and overwhelming sign up of 36 different paddlers from 5 different midwestern states the final tally was an even 50/50 split of 18 cancellations and 18 arrivals. To be honest 36 paddlers would have been a nightmare of a parking problem near the Brewersville Bridge which is surrounded by water and literally an island within itself. The small town (population 19) swelled to double its size and the destination was bumper to bumper with vehicles sporting boat racks from 3 different states. Sand Creek over the years is no longer a local secret as it has become one of SE Indiana's more popular paddling destinations sporting license plates from near and afar. The water level finally receded Friday night and dropped nearly 6 feet and was approximately 4 inches over my painted bridge perfect float level markers at an estimated 300 c.f.s. when all boats were launched Saturday morning. Overall a somewhat lucky but yet successful journey for all those who attended and the numerous rock ledges the creek has to offer did not disappoint. After the last boats were loaded a couple of carloads traveled a mile downstream where I gave a mini tour of the overlooks over Sand Creek and my 1899 log cabin.
Sincerely,
Richard Tekulve-Sand Creek trip leader since 2006
