Rocky Run Creek

Went from Hwy 51 to Dekorra landing today. Lots of recent rain. Branches hanging down and impeding paddling every 50 yards. As we put in a local resident stopped and asked if we had a saw. The hardest challenge was the rebuilt foot bridge (now an ATV bridge) that is too low to go under and very hard to portage. About mile 2. After that the going was much better. We spooked 7 deer and 2 turkeys. A trip only for hardy paddlers.

I ran the section from the hwy 51 Bridge to the second Dekorra landing (behind Hookers resort)with A bike shuttle. There was plenty of water and just a few obstructions. most of them simple. I had to get out of my boat a couple of times and out of the river once, the rest I was able to squeeze over, under or through. Fairly clear water and nice sandy bottom in many places. There was a foot bridge that was in the process of being built, unfortunately it is being built at the worst possible height, to low to get under yet high enough to require you get out of your and go to shore to get over it. On the upside the river is not very deep and there is not much current, so it is not hard, just a hassle. The Wisc was high so there were a lot of cool exploring possibilities in the flood plan forests. Felt very Bayou like, almost expected to see an alligator. The bike shuttle was a short 3.3 miles (15 mins) fairly level and a nice country road except for the last 200 yards or so which is on Hwy 51, but it has a nice wide shoulder, and is down hill so it only takes a minute or 2 to bike it.

I'm not aware of any specific rules. Generally speaking it is quite common for paddlers and liveries to remove logjams.

What are the rules about cleaning out a public waterway? Can anyone try to cut out deadfall?

Have now done Rocky Run twice. Thanks for your pictures and advice. First time in June 2018 from J/V bridge up to Hwy 51 and back. So much fun. Today, from 51 all the way to river. 2 trees and 1 bridge to portage in the 51 to J/V bridge section. That section was lovely and took about 1 hour. I could have stopped there. I agree I also should have just gotten out at J/V Bridge and launched 500 ft down the way to avoid 4 more portages, but kind of proud I could do them. I just moved in to the area and wanted to really explore. I took out an 8 ft kayak with a good rope, so the portages went well. Really is beautiful. No bugs, ticks, or deep mud for me on either trip,but, have to be willing to portage. I will do the 51 to J/V bridge again when the trees turn color, but I am done with that first 2000 ft of creek after the bridge for now. So wish someone could get in there with a chainsaw but that is above my pay grade. I am a 58 year old, 5 ft 3 in female, with low center of gravity, so popping in and out of a kayak and over a few trees isn't that big a deal. Nice change from the Wisconsin.

Thanks Bob for the tips. It is too bad about the lower section. As far as Dunning to Hwy 51...appreciate the tip! I scouted this and it did look nice. Will have to check it out sometime.

I live at that entry point. I am amazed at how many people try this paddle. Years ago my son and I did it twice at the same time....First and Last. It is a miserable route...in low water one must literally pull yourself through mud and not more than inches of flowing water below VJ bridge...nettles galore if you portage...just today I suggested to a group of five with one canoe that they should reconsider as two of the five were small kids. A more interesting trip is from the next road east which is dunning to the bridge over hwy. 51...winding through aldershot and open but many oxbow bit it has been cleared out and is smooth paddling

Thanks Jon for the update and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Hopefully the locals will eventually clear out this creek.

Paddled Rocky Run from 51 to Dekorra on Oct. 16, 2016. Even more log jams and very muddy portages than you reported. Fun and scenic in between jams, though. At high water levels you might have fewer portages.