A. Wehrum to
Heshbon 12.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I-II 18/20 Small
(150/250) C-D/C ??-3.8
estimate Josephine
Topographic Maps: Vintondale, New Florence
County Maps: Cambria, Indiana
Description: This trip has two rapids within sight of Heshbon. Otherwise it is flat flowing water. Both rapids are normally Class II. Scout from the take-out during shuttle. It is possible to carry and/or line from the beginning of the rapids to the take-out. [Checked 1992]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: Put in along State Route 2013 about 2.5 miles north of US Route 22. To get to the take-out, go south on State Route 2013. Turn west onto US Route 22. Go about 8 miles then turn north onto State Route 259. Go about 2.7 miles to the river crossing.
Gauges: Josephine. This gauge should read below 3.8 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 388 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The Josephine gauge is above 4.1 feet 29% of the time.
B. Heshbon to
Josephine 6.2 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III-IV 26/66 Medium
(195/370) C-D/C 3.4-4.2
Josephine
(above Two Lick) Josephine
Topographic Maps: New Florence, Bolivar
County Maps: Indiana
Description: This river was devastated by the 1977 flood and subsequent restoration of the railroad. Rapids now are smooth swept ledges with waves and holes, boulder piles and shallow-outs of flood-swept rocks, or small rock gardens. Many of the large boulders have been pushed out of the stream bed for the railroad. The widening of the stream bed by the flood is apparent, but at the mid-point of the trip there is a calm stretch away from the railroad that went unscathed, leaving a trace of the Blacklick of old. The run starts intensely and gradually eases. Mid-run has two steep isolated drops. The last mile is Class I. [Checked 1992]
Difficulties: There is a steep boulder drop immediately below Aulds Run, 0.6 miles below the put-in. Within a mile below the coal tipple there is a difficult shallow rocky area, marked by a large boulder at its approach. The run is directly into the late afternoon sun, which adds to the difficulty of running these intricate rapids.
Shuttle: Put in where State Route 259 crosses the river at Heshbon, about 2.7 miles north of US Route 22. To get to the take-out, go south on State Route 259. Turn right/west onto US Route 22. Turn right/north onto US Route 119 towards Black Lick. Go about 3.0 miles to the river crossing.
Gauges: Josephine. This gauge should read between 3.4 and 4.2 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 225 to 794 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The Josephine gauge is above 3.4 feet 48% of the time and above 4.2 feet 10% of the time.
C. Josephine to
Conemaugh Dam 11.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
B 5/15 Medium (390/671) C-D/C
Blacklick
(below Two Lick) Josephine
Topographic Maps: Bolivar, Blairsville
County Maps: Indiana, Westmoreland
Description: A few rapids occur early around Josephine. Below this is the flood limit of Conemaugh Lake, but it is normally free flowing to State Route 217. [Checked 1992]
Difficulties: Carry out at the end of the run.
Shuttle: Put in where State Route 119 crosses the river at Josephine, about 3.0 miles north of US Route 22. To get to the take-out go south on US Route 119. Turn right/west onto US Route 22. Go about 3 miles and turn right/northwest onto State Route 217. Go north 100 yards and turn left/west onto State Route 3009. Go 3 miles and turn left/west onto State Route 3007. Go 2 miles and turn left/west onto State Route 3002. Go 0.5 miles and turn left/south on State Route 3003. Just before Tunnelton turn left/east on Auen Road (T 312) and follow to the dam. The Corps of Engineers maintains a nice picnic area with restrooms at the dam. Currently (2003) the Corps does not allow car access, so figure on a long uphill carry to the top of the dam. However there are plans to construct (in 2004) a canoe access area about 0.25 miles above the dam. Check with the Corps (724) 639-9013 for the status of this access area. The park gate is locked in the evenings so park in a spot that will be unlocked when you return. There are alternative take-outs at State Route 217, where it crosses Blacklick Creek 2.0 miles north of Blairsville, about 3.75 miles from the mouth, or at the State Route 3009 bridge 0.75 miles from the mouth.
Difficulties: None
Gauges: Josephine. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. Normal lake level is 890 pool elevation. You can call the Corps to get a recorded message with the current lake level and dam outflow. (724) 639-3785
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.