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If you must camp near a creek, there are several things to keep in mind. Mosquitoes breed in areas where there is a lot of moisture. This includes creek beds, grasses, trees and bushes alongside waterways, and areas where the ground is moist. The use of a strong bug repellant is recommended.
Pitch your tent as far away from the creek as possible. Ground beside a creek is usually too soft to hold tent stakes. More importantly, if the creek should overrun during a storm or flashflood, you could be at risk.
Take care to avoid adversely affecting the creek water. Plant and aquatic life depends on it. For example, the soap from washing dishes or bathing in the creek will change the water’s natural pH balance. This could kill native fish. Establish a cleaning station a minimum of 200 feet from the creek. Fill clean containers with the creek water for washing then take them to the cleaning station.
Giardia is caused by fecal contamination of water, so if there’s an outhouse, be sure to use it. Trash should be packed out, burned and then packed out, or disposed of in bear-safe trash containers if they’re provided on-site. Buried trash may be dug up by animals or, if it’s buried within 200 feet of the creek, may enter the water table and pollute it.
Assume that no matter how clean the creek water looks, it probably contains harmful bacteria that can make you extremely sick. The water must be boiled for one minute to kill any bacteria present. Some prefer to use chemical additives, but not all of them will kill Cryptosporidium, so be sure to check the label. Keep in mind that even when brushing your teeth, the water you use to rinse your mouth must be disinfected first.
Be aware that wild animals may come to the creek for water. This occurs most often at dusk and dawn. Often, the animals will have established a narrow, winding path leading to the water. If you see what appears to be an animal trail, avoid it, especially during dusk and dawn. Their survival may depend on it.
The intricacy of beaver dams can be fascinating, but out of respect for the animals, give the dams a wide berth. Beavers will not attack humans, but they will attack other beavers that encroach on their territory.
Campfires are, for many, the best part of being outdoors. Minimize your effect on the environment by not cutting down any trees or bushes for fuel. Standing deadwood burns best, anyway. When collecting wood, look before reaching. Snakes or poisonous spiders may be hiding within or under that perfect stick for the fire. Also, if there’s an existing fire ring, use it. This will help to keep the fire danger down. It also means fewer rocks with black streaks or ash scattered across the ground. For cooking purposes, a stove is best as it produces a more consistent and controlled heat.
After packing up, thoroughly search your site and along the creek to be certain you didn’t leave any trash behind. You may also find that fishing rod you leaned against the tree and almost forgot.
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