Daddy's Creek 

The uppermost put-in is at the US 127 bridge near Big Lick. The stream meanders its way to Linary. SUTTON DAM near Linary REQUIRES PORTAGING. The average gradient between Big Lick and State Route 68 (Meridian Bridge) is 21 ft. / mile, a rocky course with rapids up to Class II. The distance from Big Lick to Meridian Bridge is 13 miles.

The distance from Meridian Bridge to US 70 is 5 ½ miles. The gradient is 4-5 ft. / mile long pools are broken occasionally by small shoals. The 5 miles between US 70 and Center Bridge, north of Crab Orchard, have a gradient of 10 ft. / mile. There are Class I rapids above Center Bridge. The nine miles from Center Bridge to Antioch Bridge contains Class I rapids in the first portion. The last 3 miles have a 20 ft. / mile gradient with some Class II rapids.

The most difficult run on Daddy’s Creek begins at Antioch Bridge and ends at the low bridge at the Devil’s Breakfast Table in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. Below Antioch Bridge, there is no easy access to the canyon except for a steep foot trail from the mouth of Yellow Creek.

The gradient is 34-40 ft. / mile from the Antioch Bridge to Yellow Creek junction with rapids to Class III. Below Yellow Creek, the gorge narrows and the pitch increases to 64 ft. / mile with stretches up to 100 ft. / mile. Large boulders and steep complex rapids create Class II-IV rapids. This 7 mile stretch is for experts only. Portages are rather difficult because of large boulders lining the stream bank.

From the Devils Breakfast Table to the junction with the Obed, the course eases to a gradient of 24 ft. / mile with some interesting Class III rapids.

Below the junction of Daddy’s Creek with the Obed (Obed Junction), there is a steep road on the north bank of the Obed.  There are hiking trails down both sides of Daddy’s Creek to its junction with the Obed.