Champion Lake Revisited
August 10, 2019
by Natalie Wiest

August 10, 2019 found us back on Champion Lake when it was finally accessible again.  Flooding was the original deterrent – wiping out the access road (now nicely repaired) and/or putting it under water so that the entire area was closed off.  Never mind the forecast for high temperature and humidity, 8 of us set out to paddle.  I posted the trip but major thank you to Joe Coker for guiding us through the swamp.

Joe’s familiarity with the place and its denizens assured us of not getting terribly lost, or eaten by alligators, one of which he had seen many times before right by the fishing pier.  This critter obliged by giving the earlier arrivals a good view and picture taking opportunity.  I understand it has developed quite an appetite for chicken parts as offered by would-be crabbers, known to quickly depart as the creature comes in for its snack.

At the put-in the water was glassy calm as we set out for the dam and then westward along Caney Creek.

Here is Craig Walker on the water.		...and the pack of us heading up Caney Creek		Here is Alice Nissen having a relaxed break on the water.

And Fran Wilcox and Kent Walters similarly inclined.

In among the cypress trees there was a luxuriant growth of duckweed. Not pictured was a flight of wood storks overhead – always a thrill to see them.

Duckweed		Here is our tour guide Joe Coker

And a panoramic view of our break area:

(click to enlarge)

John Grisaffi, HASK member and fellow kayaker, joined us for the swamp tour.

John Grisaffi

4.72 miles slid by the hulls of our boats and we were off the water by about 1 p.m.  Water level on the gage by the fishing pier, 6.0 feet, a very nice level to make all the “back country” accessible.

Natalie Wiest

The author, Natalie Wiest