A. Washington to Morganza 15.8 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I 7/13 Small D/C
Topographic Maps: Washington
West, Washington East, Cannonsburg
County Maps: Washington
Description: The creek begins as a narrow, deep water Class B pool. It then picks up to Class I through the north side of the city, after which the creek slackens and widens. There are a number of very large turtles in these waters. It is all industry and railroads through the city, and then Interstate 79 is close by for several miles. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: Occasional strainers with steep mud banks requires caution to portage. One mile below the put‑in there is a 2.5-foot dam, beached on the left side. Portage on the right. One mile below Chestnut Street there is a one-foot dam. Portage on either side. There is a two low head dam below central Avenue Bridge in Canonsburg. This dam is built into vertically cut rock. Stop to portage 25 yards upstream of the bridge.
Shuttle: To get to the put‑in start on Interstate 70 west of Washington, PA. Take exit #17 for State Route 18 north. Three or 4 blocks later State Route 18 forks right/northeast onto Henderson Avenue. Go about 0.85 miles from the fork to where it crosses the creek. From the put-in on Henderson Avenue (State Route 18) north of Washington, head south on State Route 18 following the signs to Interstate 70 East. Once on Interstate 70 east transition to Interstate 79 north (towards Pittsburgh). Leave Interstate 79 at exit 45, Canonsburg. Turn left/north at end of exit ramp (towards Canonsburg), and go to the traffic light. Turn right/east onto Morganza Road and go to the second road on the left. Turn left/north and go about 100 yds to the Western Center bridge. The take‑out is on left, upstream side of the bridge.
Gauge: None.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
B. Morganza to Prestley Road 14.3 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I 8/11 Small B-C/B
Streamside
Topographic Maps: Canonsburg,
Bridgeville
County Maps: Washington, Allegheny
Description: The creek leaves the development of the city behind and is mostly wooded until it flows into Bridgeville, where cement and rip rap stone banks return, Look for a large concentration of blue heron near Van Emman. The creek is now wide enough that fallen trees do not block the entire course. At a golf course, there is a concrete ford across the creek for vehicles. It can be run, but it is shallow. Do not extend the trip beyond Prestley Road Bridge. Read the next section. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: There are two rapids on right hand bends where the difficulty picks up to Class II.
Shuttle: To reach the put-in see the section A take‑out. To reach the take‑out return to Interstate 79 north and go one exit to Bridgeville State Route 50. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right/east towards State Route 50. At the tee turn left/north on to State Route 50. Go nearly one mile and turn left/west on Prestley Road, which is the Orange Belt. Shortly after passing over Interstate 79, the road crosses the creek. This is your take‑out. There are intermediate take‑out/put‑ins at Maple Lane, Matview Road, and Bridgeville Park.
Gauge: Streamside. Check it from the State Route 50 Bridge (Washington Avenue) on the south side of Bridgeville. This is the shallowest part.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
C. Prestley Road to Heidelberg 3.8 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
IV 7/Big Medium(277/288) D/B
Mouth of Stream Carnegie
Topographic Maps: Bridgeville,
Pittsburgh West
County Maps: Allegheny
Description: Just below the put‑in there is a 4-foot dam, best portaged on the left the dam has a cement sill at the base of the spillway. Notice a 15-foot diameter culvert on the right. This was a creek bypass while Interstate 79 was being built. It deadends, so do not take it. A quarter of a mile below the first dam, notice a sign on the left as you enter a vertically walled channel. The sign says: "Danger, Sudden Drop, Keep Out". After 0,75 miles you see the State Rout 50 Bridge, and a dam beneath it. No portage is possible. The dam is twenty feet high, with a forty-five degree sloped face. It is best to look at this from the bridge on the way to the put‑in. There is a big hydraulic all the way across. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: Four-foot dam built into a rock cut, and a twenty foot dam with no portage beneath State Rout 50 bridge on the north side of Bridgeville..
Shuttle: you do not want to do this section so there is no description of the shuttle.
Gauge: Carnegie.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
D. Heidelburg to McKees Rocks 11.2 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
B 6/10 Medium(277/288) D/B
Carnegie Carnegie
Topographic Maps: Pittsburgh
West
County Maps: Allegheny
Description: This is a flat‑water creek through heavily developed areas. Waterline trees shield the creek from most of this and some areas are quite remote. A nice piece of water for those who do not like to drive far from the city. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: The put‑in is on Greentree Road, State Route 121, just east of its intersection with SR 50 where Greentree Road crosses the creek . To reach the take‑out, go north Route 50 through Carnegie to Interstate 279. or follow Route 121/Greentree Road to Interstate 279. Take Interstate 279 north (towards Pittsburgh) to exit 5C, Saw Mill Run Boulevard (Routes US19 and SR 51 north. Continue to follow the signs for State Route 19 and 50 north. At the West End Bridge follow State Route 51 north. This is West Carson Street which leads to the mouth of the creek about two miles down from the West End Bridge. When you cross the creek turn left into the shopping center. The take‑out is a hundred yards upstream from the bridge, near the Burger King. Alternate put‑ins/take‑outs are available in Carnegie in the West Mall near Main Street and Chartiers Avenue, and at State Route 60 near the Sharp Edge Creekhouse.
Gauge: Carnegie. Check it from either end. The water level is consistent through out this section.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.