May Paddle

Location: White River – Indianapolis Art Center to 38th Street
Distance: +/-5 miles
Date: 5/22/08
Gauge: 5.0 @ IMA
Paddle Time: 1.5 hours
Paddlers: James (Dagger Crossfire), Doug (Perception Dancer), Dan S. (LL ) Paula (C.D. Breeze), Luke L. (Necky Looksha), Andy S. (LL Zirconia)
Weather: 70 & sunny

The put-in at the Indianapolis Art Center at Broad Ripple is really nice, but parking is fairly limited. James had to pull the truck into a spot adjacent with the trailer angled behind Andy’s car to make it work. Our original idea to start in Williams Creek off of 75th Street didn’t work out due to a lack of water in the creek. The river was not especially high, but not low enough that we dragged anywhere. Most of the time the current moved pretty well; there were a couple of stretches of flat water, but the river made up for it with a few spots where we could surf some small holes. Good practice for guys with no idea what they are doing.
This was a nice leisurely paddle, with beautiful weather.

One interesting spot is right at the International School. We couldn't figure out what was causing it, but there are eddies going all directions there, in places the water is almost flowing upstream. We were all making crazy turns trying to keep going the right direction.

We took out under the 38th Street bridge, and used the parking off of the loop exist from 38th Street westbound to White River Parkway East Drive. Unfortunately you can only get there headed westbound on 38th Street, but it’s still a decent place to park. There is a pretty steep carry up over the embankment under the bridge, but taking out there eliminates half a mile or so of flatwater paddling down to either 30th Street or the Lake Indy boat ramp in Riverside Park.
This was a nice paddle that would still be decent even if the water were a foot or so lower. Another good one for after work.