Hazard
TX
Low-Head Dam
Pipe Creek-Red Bluff Creek (current beta needed) - SH 16 to Medina River (Red Bluff Ranch Drive) (8.2 miles) (TX)
Gauge Conditions
Runnable: ? – ? CFS
Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description
The Low-Head Dam on Pipe Creek presents an extremely dangerous hydraulic recirculation zone that can trap and drown paddlers, creating an unrunnable and life-threatening obstruction. This fixed concrete structure spans the entire river width, generating a uniform, powerful backwash that prevents escape once a boat or swimmer is pulled into its current. Experienced paddlers must absolutely portage or avoid this hazard completely, as low-head dams are known as "drowning machines" due to their uniform, inescapable water circulation.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (10)
Rapid
N/A
SH 16 Bridge
Hazard
N/A
Low-Head Dam
Hazard
N/A
Bump Gate Rd (Low-Water Crossing)
Waterfall
N/A
Unnamed Falls
Hazard
N/A
Heisler Rd (Low-Water Crossing)
Rapid
N/A
Confluence with Red Bluff Creek
Rapid
III
Unnamed Rapid
Hazard
VI
Wonder Hole
Rapid
N/A
FM 1283 Bridge
Rapid
N/A
Red Bluff Ranch Rd (Low Bridge)
View Full Run
SH 16 to Medina River (Red Bluff Ranch Drive) (8.2 miles)
Pipe Creek-Red Bluff Creek (current beta needed)
II-III(IV)
5.7 mi
Hazard — Exercise extreme caution in this area.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
American Whitewater