Nebraska Creek, Grand River, PEI

 

Nebraska Creek was a new kayaking destination for me in 2023. I have paddled and sailed on most of the Grand River but never ventured up the Nebraska Creek tributary. Nebraska Creek flows from the Miscouche peat lands off the Western Road to the Grand River, which flows NE into Malpeque Bay.

Track, 7km, 27Jul2023

The launch is just east of the Route 12 bridge. There’s an access trail to the water’s edge, but it requires a truck or 4WD vehicle. With Anne’s Toyota Corolla, I unloaded the kayak on Route 12 and used my 2-wheel kayak cart for the 100m trek to the creek. After launching, I checked the cottages, cabins, and trailers in the large creek/inlet to the east that borders the Nebraska Road. The water was very shallow and weedy in the east channel, so I did not make it all the way to the Nebraska Road bridge. Most structures (cottages/cabins, sheds, etc.) that border Nebraska Road don’t look great, and some appear abandoned.

After exiting the east side inlet, I headed upstream (south), following the east shore to better inspect INT’s Nebraska Creek Natural Area. In paddling upstream, the creek feels pretty isolated and undisturbed (from the seat of a kayak). But, on Google Earth, you can see large areas of logging (especially on the western side). Also, less than 1 km to the south of where I was paddling is the large commercial Miscouche Peat mine (150 acres). And to the west (about 2 km) is the East Prince Waste Management Facility (i.e. the dump).  

The lower Nebraska Creek

I paddled about 2.5 km up the creek before being blocked by low water levels and debris. The stream was turning eastward at this point, and another 300m or so, I would have reached a beaver dam/pond area. On the upper stretch of Nebraska Creek, there is only one development – one cottage/home on the west bank with a 500m access from Route 122 (Allen Rd). The property seems to include a small man-made pond near the creek.

The upper Nebraska Creek

The iNaturalist postings for the day can be found by clicking HERE.

The Nebraska Creek paddle was quite good once I left the cottage/cabin area. I signed up with INT as the prime Guardian for the MapleCross Nebraska Creek NA, so I’ll be back on a yearly basis. Next year, try to reach the upper creek at the peak of high tides/waters.

Belted Kingfisher

Solitary Sandpiper

Note 1: The Route 12 Nebraska Creek wooden bridge looks pretty scary from under. I hope it’s on the repair/replacement list sooner rather than later!

Note 2: Nebraska is of aboriginal origin (North America) and means “flat water.” I don’t know if that was the Mi’kmaq local meaning or how the Nebraska Creek came to have its name.