STONEY CREEK

Stoney Creek is a tributary of the Thompson and runs in below the normal take out at the weir. The character of the river is more sandstone/ granite shelves forming drop pool river running. The run is pretty with many cliffs along the way, giving the illusion of canyon paddling.

The put in requires some hard bush bashing down a steep cliff off the Stoney No 3 track. You can also put it at the no 3 track and miss the first 1.5km. To 2km of whitewater. Take out at either the crossing of the No 3 track or the crossing of Stoney No 2 track and the creek. The tracks at quite steep and 4WD or lots of walking is required. Total run is around 4km or 9km

The river is grade 2/3 at lower levels with some boulder gardens, and some shelf drops forming small waterfalls

Most of these rapids would be at least grade 4 in higher water, and are quite boulder forming sieves. A couple of nicer falls around 3m appear about 1⁄2 way down the run and add to the general character of the river. The last big feature is a small chasm or gorge that could form a nasty rapid at higher water. And be a hard portage on the left. The banks are very steep and cliff like. Don't engage if you are not prepared. It's runnable at lowish water but some rocks have moved making it difficult. More a small river run than a creek, it's definitely worth the effort if you get local rain.

The creek can be run at lower levels, if in a packraft or similar: 2.0 on the Glenmaggie Gauge. But would require higher levels for it to be fun in a hard kayak: suggest higher than 2.2 ( would be a perfect level 2.2 to 2.4 without being too intimidating)

We paddled at 2.9 last December 2023 and the river was definately a big 4, with a lot of holes, drops and strainers that come into play at that level. Its very pushy and committing, with no easy way out once you start the trip. Anything above 2.5 would require a really good paddler and crew.