Put In

Graves Creek is a medium-sized whitewater stream in Pope County, Arkansas, offering 17.31 miles of paddling opportunities. As a headwater stream with a significant average gradient of 13 feet per mile and 225 feet of total elevation drop, this creek provides moderate whitewater conditions suitable for paddlers seeking technical flowing water. The stream maintains an average flow of 50.20 cubic feet per second with a velocity of 1.19 feet per second, indicating consistent current and moving water that requires some paddling skill to navigate.

This put-in location serves as the starting point for whitewater paddling adventures on Graves Creek. The creek's Stream Order 4 classification and drainage area of 52 square miles support reliable water levels for kayaking and canoeing. Paddlers should be aware that the creek's elevation profile and gradient create dynamic water conditions that vary seasonally and with rainfall, requiring attention to water levels before launching.

The proximity to the headwaters means this is a flowing creek environment rather than a lake or slow river system. Paddlers using this access should be comfortable reading moving water and have intermediate paddling skills. Water conditions can change with weather patterns, so checking current flow data and recent conditions before your trip is recommended for safety.