Black Hawk Creek originates in Grundy County northwest of Holland, Iowa, flowing northeast through agricultural lands before entering Black Hawk County. The creek winds through Grundy Center and Morrison in Grundy County, then continues through Reinbeck and Hudson before reaching its confluence with the Cedar River in Waterloo. This meandering tributary has transformed from a small prairie stream into a substantial waterway over the past three decades, now rivaling many of Iowa's small rivers in annual water flow.

The creek offers approximately 43 miles of paddling opportunities from Grundy Center to its Cedar River confluence, though conditions vary dramatically by section. The Grundy Center to Reinbeck segment requires flows above 250 cubic feet per second (cfs) for solo canoes and kayaks, and over 350 cfs for tandem boats. From Reinbeck to Hudson, paddlers need minimum flows of 120 cfs, while the Hudson to Cedar River stretch is navigable above 85 cfs. Flow measurements are taken at the USGS gaging station at Hudson (#05463500). Flows exceeding 1,200 cfs represent flood stage and create hazardous conditions.

This waterway demands intermediate to advanced paddling skills. The narrow, winding channel features frequent deadfalls, sweepers, logjams, and tight bends requiring precise boat control. Portages are common, and volunteer efforts maintain passageways through fallen trees that would otherwise block navigation. The Hudson to Cedar River section includes two fords that behave like low-head dams at certain water levels, and the final 1.3 miles flow through a channelized section constructed in the 1960s-70s for industrial development.

The creek corridor supports beaver, fox, coyote, mink, deer, and occasionally river otters and badgers. Birdwatchers encounter great blue herons, belted kingfishers, Baltimore orioles, red-shouldered hawks (endangered in Iowa), and numerous warbler species during migration. The heavily wooded riparian zone creates a shaded greenbelt contrasting sharply with surrounding agricultural landscapes.

Access points include Kiwanis Park in Grundy Center, Franck Park in Hudson, Ranchero Road in Waterloo, and Hope Martin Park in Waterloo. The creek flows through publicly owned land from Hudson to the Cedar River confluence, creating the Katoski Greenbelt and Black Hawk Creek Greenbelt.

Historically, the area's last reported bison were seen along the creek near Hudson in 1852. The Virden family, among the first Euro-American settlers, established Virden's Grove along the creek in the late 1840s.

The waterway is non-meandered, meaning the streambed and banks are privately owned despite the water being publicly navigable—sandbar camping requires landowner permission. Water quality concerns include bacteria impairment and elevated nutrient levels. The creek lacks a notable sport fishery compared to the Cedar River. Paddlers should check current flow conditions before launching and be prepared for physically demanding trips requiring frequent portaging and obstacle navigation.