Wapsipinicon River

Sherman Park to Allen's Grove

River Miles: 8
Counties: Clinton and Scott
Recommended Level: 6-8 ft. at DeWitt gauge 

Review(s):

Knowledge of this area: Advanced
Date of Paddle: 5/30/05
CFS: 1800 cfs, 7.14 ft. at DeWitt
Recommended Craft: Recreational
Type of Water: flatwater
Overview of this section: Once again, typical lower Wapsi. Wildlife viewing, sandbar camping, and it's almost warm enough (Memorial Day) to swim now. There were lots of fishermen out too. When you first launch, there are some interesting little rock formations on the left bank, and then a bit further down are some more on the right. The first 2/3 of this trip has a lot of cabins and civilization but it's still a nice lazy float to do. If you are sandbar camping I would recommend doing it in the last 3 miles before the takeout. About halfway into the trip, there's a group of cabins with a good-sized sign on river right crudely requesting female boaters to, ah, display some body parts. I got a chuckle out of it (and no, I did not do what the sign said, LOL). But if you have little kids along, you may want to direct their attention to the woods on the left bank. Also got a huge kick out of a cabin further down that was displaying a huge flag of my favorite NASCAR driver. Not something I expected to see in the middle of nowhere! Overall the cabin folks are friendly and they wave and say hi as you go by. The only caution I would give is, don't leave your car overnight at Allen's Grove if you decide to sandbar camp. In recent years the place has gotten a bit seedy after dark, although it's still pretty family-oriented during the day. I know this isn't really the greatest section of the Wapsi a person can paddle, but heck, it's the one closest to my house and it's better than not paddling at all. I still had a great time!
Hazard and Rapids: No rapids, very few snags. The snags would be the only challenge to a raw beginner.
Camping Available?: Yes, at Sherman Park. Also, the Wapsi is a meandered stream here so you can sandbar camp!
Places to rent/buy outdoor equipment: None.
Other Launches?: None *in* this section, but you can put in at the Syracuse access 5.5 miles upstream of Sherman Park if you would like a 13.5-mile trip.
Other items of interest: Be sure to visit the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center if you get a chance. It is directly across the river from Sherman Park but not accessible via the river. Lots of hiking trails and a Nature Center. No camping but there's a cabin you can rent for small groups or a dorm for large groups. 563-328-3286 for more info.

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Recent River Level Readings - taken from NOAA

Location: DeWitt