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WHITEWATER BOATING
Many Streams Offer
Excitement for Kayaks, Rafts
Stonycreek Canyon (Class III-IV)
 The
Canyon of the Stonycreek River is increasingly recognized as an outstanding
whitewater stream because of its nearly continuous rapids over a five-mile
stretch. It was the site of the 1972 Olympic whitewater trials and is the
site of the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy's outfitted raft run every spring.
Kayakers describe the Stony as "a play-boater’s dream"
because its large rocks and rock "shelves" create many hydraulics in which
they can roll and turn and spin, without moving down river. Though normally
a class III run, at higher water levels, the Canyon becomes a more dangerous
class IV stream. The Canyon is disected by Border Dam, which kayakers sometimes
run despite the hazards but rafters always portage around (river left).
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Shade Creek (Class III)
The Bens Creek Canoe and Kayak Club describes Shade Creek
as a fairly scenic and nice class III adventure at low to medium levels.
However, a few rapids may approach class IV at medium-high levels and becomes
class IV at high levels. Shade Creek has three sections, each separated
by a bridge. It can be a paddled incombination with Clear Shade Creek or
Dark Shade Creek from upstream, or in combination with the Stonycreek Canyon
downstream.
The upper section starts at the confluence of Dark and
Clear Shade and ends at the bridge in Hillsboro. This fun section is roughly
3 miles long, offering some nice surfing waves and some longer, continuous
rapids. But boaters are warned to look out for straingers -- trees that
fall down across the stream.
The middle section is about 2 miles long and is the easiest
section of Shade Creek. It passes through a very scenic, isolated gorge.
The lower section is probably the most paddled and offers
the best whitewater. This section is approximately 3 miles long, beginning
on Camp Drive Bridge and ending on the Rt. 601 bridge in Seanor. About
a quarter-mile into the run, the stream makes a left turn, then drops over
many consecutive ledges. Toward the end of the run is a fairly large rapid
that may be a class IV.
Dark Shade Creek (Class IV)
Dark Shade offers more whitewater excitement than its sister,
Clear Shade Creek, but is much shorter run with lower water quality. The
run is approximately 1 mile long and begins with some class 2 or 3 before
hitting a stretch described as a continuous boulder garden with solid class
IV rapids. Strainers again are a serious concern.
Clear Shade Creek (Class III)
Clear Shade is among the most pristine stretches of boatable
water in western Pennsylvania. The run begins with a few miles of fast
moving class 1 and 2 water across a forested plateau before coming to Windber's
small water-supply reservoir, which is easily portaged on either side.
Below the dam is a three-mile onslaught of continuous class III boulder
gardens and small ledges. Although Clear Shade does not have the great
play spots of Shade and Stony or the big rapids of Paint and Dark Shade,
it is one of the favorite runs in the Conemaugh River Basin.
Roaring Fork (Class IV-V)
The Roaring Fork is one of the most difficult creeks in the
Stonycreek watershed. Although most of the run is a solid class IV, some
drops have class V consequences. The run is about 1.5 miles, and includes
a seven-foot waterfall that has only been run a few times because of a
large tombstone rock at the base of the falls that slants upstream. After
the falls, the creek remains somewhat a drop-pool, with swift pools and
short distance between rapids. Drops vary from single, 5-foot ledges, to
multiple ledge drops, to a couple technical rapids that include VW Bug-sized
boulders. The size of this stream makes strainers a real problem.
Paint Creek (Class V)
Paint Creek is definitely among the area's most challenging
streams, a solid Class V. The run is over two miles long and drops over
225 feet per mile. Most kayakers put in at the base of a 15 foot waterfall
(Sandy Falls), which has been run successfully several times but is not
recommended. Below the waterfall, there's a 100-foot arch tunnel, then
three consecutive steep drops, followed by the named rapids: Mousetrap,
Catwalk Falls, Big Falls, Big Sluice, Momma’s Crack and Road Hole.
Quemahoning Creek (Class II-III)
This stream is mostly Class II with one Class III rapid a
half-mile from the end. The first ¾ mile is generally flat water,
then a drop folowed by a strainer covering three-fourths of the stream
that needs to be avoided. The whitewater and class II holes are continuous
from this point on. Many times, wildlife has been spotted on this stream;
including wild turkey, deer and the 2 local blue heron to the region. The
stream is littered on both sides with mountain laurel and heavy woods,
which adds to the beauty. Above the big Route 219 bridge is the sole class
III rapid with many hydraulics. Several holes continue downstream before
the bridge. Below the bridge are a long series of standing waves, which
kayakers love to play in before entering the Quemahoning Reservoir.
Stonycreek Gorge (Class III-IV)
The Stonycreek River's Upper Gorge is good Class III-IV creek
run. It plunges furiously in first few miles, then levels off with medium-difficulty
rapids. During high water levels, the rapids become continuous, approaching
Class V.
Little Conemaugh, Lilly to Portage
(Class II+)
This section is tight, twisty, and quite small. It is scenic
in some spots but dreadful in others. Watch out for low foot bridges and
fallen trees.
Little Conemaugh Summerhill-Mineral
Point (Class III)
From Summerhill to South Fork, the Little Conemaugh River
is shallow and wide. Just after South Fork is a low head dam that should
be portaged. Then after another shallow section, the river makes a sharp
left and the old viaduct railroad bridge comes in to view. Here the river
takes on a Class III characteristic with several rapids strewn with relatively
fresh boulders from the '77 flood. This only lasts for a mile or so before
you go under that bridge and into more shallows until Mineral Point.
(Below Mineral Point is a severe rapid that may be unrunnable.
It was created when the course of the river was shortening by blasting
through rock to remove an ox bow or meander in the stream's historic flow.)
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