Dallas Downriver Club

Moonlight Float on South Prong Creek and Lake Waxahachie

Date: June 22, 2019 Sponsor: DDRC
River: Lake Waxahachie Trip Leader: Bryan Jackson
Reach:  Lake Waxahachie, up South Prong Creek and back Phone: 972-979-2519
Difficulty: Flatwater  E-mail: paddlinpals@yahoo.com
Rendezvous: Park on Lakeshore Drive at 6pm RSVP not required
Campground: None

Trip Description:

Let's get out and have a moonlight float on South Prong Creek and Lake Waxahachie, which is located just south of Waxahachie on I 35E south.  There are restroom facilities and picnic tables at the put in so we can have a nice picnic lunch after our paddle.  We do not have so far to drive and no shuttle to run so lets plan on meeting at 6:00 PM. 

Meals:

We will will have a picnic lunch on the lake at the put in location before we paddle. Pot Lucks sometimes break out. We will coordinate closer in. 

Required Gear:

This is flat water anything that is seaworthy will do just fine as far as boats go.  PFD's,  cooler for your picnic and drinks and a chair would be all that's required.

Directions:

 From Dallas  Via I-35E 

Follow I 35E South to Exit 399A. Follow the service road and turn Left on Rogers St. . Follow Rogers to Howard St. and Turn Right. Follow Howard to Old Italy Rd and turn Right.  Old Italy dead ends into Lakeshore Dr. We will set up in the picnic area right before you reach the boat ramp on your right. 

 

 

 

Lake Waxahachie Shoreline

 

* International Scale of River Difficulty

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.

 

 
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Last updated March 30, 2019