A. Johnsonburg to
Ridgway 8.5 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 8/11 Medium
(204/385) B/B 2.3-??
Johnsonburg Johnsonburg
Medium
(303/591) Ridgway
Topographic Maps: Ridgway
County Maps: Elk
Description: This stream differs radically from the downstream Clarion sections. The valley above Ridgway is wide and relatively flat with considerable industrial development. The valley is the corridor for US Route 219 and Conrail. The river is wide enough to be free from tree hazards and meanders slightly in its course to Ridgway. [Reported 1987]
Difficulties: There is a rock and timber structure near a power substation on the edge of Ridgway. This can be run, over the broken-down sections, but should be scouted. There used to be a 6‑foot industrial dam near the take-out in Ridgway but it was removed under a Growing Greener grant in the early 2000s. Note there are two additional dams in Johnsonburg, but the specified put-in is below both of these dams.
Shuttle: US Route 219. Put in at the ball field, below the paper mill in Johnsonburg, along US Route 219. Take out at Love's Canoe (814) 776‑6285 on State Route 948 in Ridgway.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and USFS Allegheny National Forest and has identified over a dozen potential public access points along this river, the Clarion Water Trail. They will be publishing a brochure in the spring of 2004. It can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. See Appendix D for the address.
Gauges: Johnsonburg. This gauge should read above 2.3 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 330 cfs. The Ridgway gauge will probably read above 4.0 feet.
Normal Wet Period: The Johnsonburg gauge is above 2.3 feet 36% of the time.
B. Ridgway to
Cooksburg 44.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 6/10 Medium
(303/591) A/B 2.9-??
Ridgway Ridgway
Medium
(807/1,462) Cooksburg
Topographic Maps: Ridgway, Portland Mills, Carman, Hallton, Munderf, Sigel, Cooksburg
County Maps: Elk, Jefferson, Forest
Other Maps: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy publishes a Water Trail Map showing bridges, towns, and access sites.
Description: The stream passes through a wooded valley with very little development. There are occasional small towns every 10 to 12 miles. A sparsely traveled road parallels the run for most of the way. About 7 miles into the run and immediately below the third rapid described below, there is a sandy beach with a large and excellent camping area.
The sections between Ridgway and Mill Creek and between Piney (Deer Creek) and Parker are popular with cruising canoeists due to the scenery, wildlife, fishing and camping. Cleanup efforts are reducing the pollution from strip mine drainage and a paper mill above Ridgway. There are many possible camping spots along the river, including nice spots at Portland Mills (mile 9) across from Bear Creek and just above the Y rapid (mile 16). Another good camping spot (capacity of about 40) is on river right at a bend 1.0 mile downstream of Heath Station (mile 26). Clear Creek State Park also has camping. [Checked 1998]
Difficulties: About a mile below the Arroyo bridge the first of three rapids appears. All three are slightly above a Class I rapid, with some maneuvering required. The second rapid is about 0.5 miles below the first and the third is again 0.5 miles below the second.
Shuttle: Put in it at Love's Canoe (814) 776-6285 on State Route 949. Shuttle via State Route 949. There are many possibilities for put-in and take-out spots between Ridgway and Cooksburg. There is a public launch area just upstream of Portland Mills on State Route 949. There is a State Game Lands with good parking and river access on river right near Hallton bridge at the mouth of Spring Creek.
Public Access areas
listed on the Water Trail Map
Loves Canoe in Ridgeway on State Route 949
Portland Mills on State Route 949
Arroyo Access
Irwin Access
Hallton State Game Lands (mouth of Spring Creek)
Heath Access above Belltown
Belltown
Clear Creek State Park
Barnetti Township Access
Cook Forest State Park
Rental canoes and shuttles are available from several outfitters at or near Cooksburg. This trip can be split into two parts. Ridgway to Belltown Bridge (off State Route 949) is 27 miles and the remaining section to Cooksburg of 16 miles.
Belltown Canoe Rental,
Belltown (814) 752-2561
Cook Forest Canoe Livery, Cooksburg (814) 744-8094
Love's Canoe, Ridgway (814) 776-6285
Pale Whale Canoe Fleet, Cooks Forest (800) 680-0160
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and USFS Allegheny National Forest and has identified over a dozen potential public access points along this river, the Clarion Water Trail. They will be publishing a brochure in the spring of 2004. It can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission See Appendix D for the address.
Gauges: Ridgway. This gauge should read above 2.9 feet (2002 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 270 cfs. The Cooksburg gauge at the downstream end of the trip will probably read between 2.8 and 5.1 feet (2003 rating table) corresponding to a flow of 600 to 2,600 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The Ridgway gauge is above 2.9 feet 60% of the time.
C. Cooksburg to
Mill Creek 11.8 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 6/20 Medium
(807/1,462) A/B 2.3-??
Cooksburg Cooksburg
Topographic Maps: Cooksburg, Lucinda, Strattanville, Clarion
County Maps: Forest, Jefferson, Clarion
Other Maps: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy publishes a Water Trail Map showing bridges, towns, and access sites.
Description: This section is remote below Gravel Lick. There are no roads or railroads along almost 10 miles of river before coming to Mill Creek. It consists of long pools, with riffles interspersed. The last 2 miles is the backwater of Piney Dam. In the backwaters there are numerous motorboats and sometimes the water level drops to where the banks become unattractive. [Checked 1999]
Difficulties: Motorboats with waterskiers above Piney Dam.
Shuttle: The put-in is located just off State Route 36 by the parking lot of the Cook Forest State Park Office. To get to the take-out drive south from Cooksburg on State Route 36 for about 1.9 miles to where the main highway turns east and a dirt road goes west. Turn west onto the dirt road and go through the woods for 4.0 miles. Turn right/west onto State Route 1003, travel another 0.5 miles to Fisher. In Fisher go straight onto State Route 1001. Drive 5.0 miles to the edge of Strattanville, turn right/north, go 2.0 miles to the Mill Creek access ramp. Alternate take‑outs/put‑ins are at Gravel Lick Bridge, where State Route 1001 crosses the creek or Old State Road which, heads south from State Route 1005 at Helen Furnace to a nice parking circle at rivers edge.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and USFS Allegheny National Forest and has identified over a dozen potential public access points along this river, the Clarion Water Trail. They will be publishing a brochure in the spring of 2004. It can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission See Appendix D for the address.
Gauges: Cooksburg. This gauge should read above 2.3 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 350 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The Cooksburg gauge is above 2.3 feet 82% of the time.
D. Mill Creek to
Callensburg 21.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 6/10 Medium (951/1,787) B/B
Piney
Dam Piney
Dam
Topographic Maps: Strattanville, Clarion, Knox
County Maps: Clarion
Other Maps: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy publishes a detailed map with towns and access sites.
Description: First 11.5 miles are the backwater of Piney Dam operated by Reliant Energy Co. There is heavy motorboat traffic in this area. Pool level is allowed to fluctuate up to 3 feet per day in the summer and 8 feet per day in the winter. Because of the nature of the power generation operations, the flow below the dam can change suddenly. Before canoeing, call the Piney Dam substation (814) 226-8630 in Clarion to determine the amount and timing of water to be released. The crest moves about 2 miles/hour. Portage the dam on the left at the gravel road leading to the parking lot. One can use the phone there to determine the water release schedule. Downstream of the dam there are some Class I rapids and numerous riffles. [Checked 1989]
Difficulties: If you outrun the released water, you will find yourself in a rock garden with minimal water.
Shuttle: From the Mill Creek access ramp drive south 2.0 miles to Strattanville. Turn right/west onto US Route 322, go into Clarion. Take US Route 68 South for 11.0 miles to Sligo, turn right/west onto State Route 58. Go 4.0 miles to the Callensburg bridge. To avoid 11 miles of flatwater, put in at the Reliant Energy Recreation Area. To reach this area at the base of the dam, go south on State Route 68 from Interstate 80. About 0.8 miles from the Interstate turn right/west onto State Route 3016 (Brush Road). Continue for about 2 miles and turn right/north onto State Route 2007. The recreation area is about 1 mile from the turn.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and USFS Allegheny National Forest and has identified over a dozen potential public access points along this river, the Clarion Water Trail. They will be publishing a brochure in the spring of 2004. It can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. See Appendix D for the address.
Gauges: Piney Dam. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. Call the Piney Dam substation (814) 226-8630.
Normal Wet Period: Water releases from Piney Dam can make it runnable at any time during the year.
E. Callensburg to
Parker 17.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
B 6/6 Large (1,246/2,252) A-B/B
St.
Petersburg Piney
Dam
Topographic Maps: Knox, Emlenton, Parker
County Maps: Clarion
Other Maps: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy publishes a Water Trail Map showing bridges, towns, and access sites.
Description: The trip from Callensburg to Parker is pleasant when the water conditions are right. The car shuttle is only 8 miles for a 17-mile trip on the water. The scenic values are not comparable to those above Piney Dam. The dam and power-generating facilities are operated by the Reliant Energy Company. Because of the nature of these operations, the flow below the dam can change suddenly. Before canoeing, call the Piney Dam substation (814) 226-8630 in Clarion to determine the amount and timing of water to be released. The crest moves about 2 miles/hour. [Checked 1989]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: Use State Route 368.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and USFS Allegheny National Forest and has identified over a dozen potential public access points along this river, the Clarion Water Trail. They will be publishing a brochure in the spring of 2004. It can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. See Appendix D for the address.
Gauges: Piney Dam. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. Call the Piney Dam substation (814) 226-8630.
Normal Wet Period: Dam controlled, but usually dry after early August.