Conemaugh River

Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level

II 7/11 Medium (715/1,281) A/B-C 3.0-??
Seward Seward

Topographic Maps: Johnstown, Vintondale, New Florence

County Maps: Cambria, Indiana, Westmoreland

Description: This stream used to be highly polluted with acid mine drainage but it has been improved and now even supports some fish. The river is walled in Johnstown and to a point about four miles downstream. Eventually the river emerges from this concrete flood channel into the glory of the Conemaugh gorge through Laurel Mountain. The presence of highways and railroads on both sides is easily ignored, but a major power line does detract from the beauty. [Reported 2003]

The Conemaugh River is part of the Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail. For information on Water Trails see page 12.

Difficulties: The river presents no difficulty through the gorge, but immediately at the end there is a Class II rapid past a mine dump on the right shore. Below this point the river returns to Class I. About 1.25 miles below Seward there is a power plant with a dam. Carry on the left. Note this is not the power plant in New Florence that is obvious from the road.

Shuttle: The put-in is an inclined ramp on Stony Creek near the junction with the Little Conemaugh. It is a short paddle to the main river. From the put-in take State Route 56 northwest to US Route 22. Go west to Clyde, turn right 100 feet beyond the Clyde volunteer fire department building, continue 3 miles to State Route 2008. Turn left for 100 yards then right on State Route 2009. Go a short distance (200 yards) across the railroad tracks to the concrete bridge crossing the river.

Gauges: Seward. This gauge should read above 3.0 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 1,080 cfs.

Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from late February through late May. The Seward gauge is above 3.0 feet 37% of the time.

B. New Florence to Blairsville 17.8 miles

Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level

I-III 10/13 Medium (715/1,281) A-B/B 2.3-4.1
Seward Seward

Topographic Maps: New Florence, Rachelwood, Wilpen, Bolivar, Blairsville

County Maps: Indiana, Westmoreland

Description: This section has wide open riffles and long quiet pools. The rapids are fairly continuous from Bolivar to Torrance. The remains of an old barge canal can be seen along the left shore as you cut through Chestnut Ridge. [Checked 2003]

The Conemaugh River is part of the Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail. For information on Water Trails see page 12.

Difficulties: There is one Class III rapid at the mouth of Richards Run, just above Bolivar. The rapid is at the end of a long sweeping 180 degree bend to the left. There is a mine portal on the right 200 yards above the rapid.

Shuttle: The put-in is on State Route 2009 in New Florence. To get to the take-out, follow State Route 217 south to Blairsville. In Blairsville it will take a few lefts and rights and eventually 217 is traveling down Walnut Street. In the center of town, turn left/west off Walnut onto Market Street. And go two blocks and around the traffic circle. Just before the bridge turn right/north. Go 60 yards and turn left/west down a steep hill to the boat access ramp. The ramp goes down to the river and then back up again. You should park the shuttle vehicles on top so as to allow access for other boaters and fisher folk.

An alternate put‑in is at Robinson near where State Route 259 crosses the creek. From State Route 259, turn east onto Caroline Street. Park at the Robinson Community Club (right side of the road). Carry behind the club and bear left. This put‑in reduces the trip length to about 13 miles and eliminates the Class III rapid.

Gauges: Seward. This gauge should read between 2.3 and 4.1 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 365 to 2,760 cfs.

Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from mid November through early July and does not have a season when it is too high. The Seward gauge is above 2.3 feet 77% of the time and above 4.1 feet 11% of the time.

C. Blairsville to Conemaugh Dam 12.5 miles

Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level

A flat Medium (890/1,483) D/C
estimate

Topographic Maps: Blairsville

County Maps: Indiana, Westmoreland

Description: The backwaters of the flood control dam are interesting and different from what is ordinarily seen along a river. When the pool level is low, which is the normal condition, the river here takes on a deepwater swamp appearance, with considerable silt exposed along the banks. This silt is thick and you will sink in up to your knees or further. Thus there is no access to the shore. When the pool level is up, you can travel through the tree tops. The third railroad bridge you come to will have to be portaged when the pool is above 910 and below 920. It is a short carry over either end of the bridge. Normal pool elevation is 900 feet. Mine acid pollution is quite noticeable on the lower Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas. [Checked 2003]

The Conemaugh River is part of the Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail. For information on Water Trails see page 12.

Difficulties: Watch out for sunken logs in the backwater. Depending on pool levels watch out for the tops of trees.

Shuttle: To get to the put-in, follow State Route 217 south to Blairsville. In Blairsville it will take a few lefts and rights and eventually 217 is traveling down Walnut Street. In the center of town, turn left/west off Walnut onto Market Street. Go two blocks and around the traffic circle. Just before the bridge turn right/north. Go 60 yards and turn left/west down a steep hill to the boat access ramp. The ramp goes down to the river and then back up again. You should park the shuttle vehicles on top so as to allow access for other boaters and fisher folk. The take-out is by the Corps of Engineers Park by Conemaugh Dam. It is on river left about 200 feet upstream of the float line. 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. Also, the park gate is locked in the evenings so park in a spot that will be unlocked when you return.

Gauge: 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: Backwater of a dam so it should always be runnable.

D. Conemaugh Dam to Saltsburg 6.9 miles

Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level

C 6/6 Large (1,358/2,882) B/B 3.0-6.7
Tunnelton Tunnelton

Topographic Maps: Blairsville, Saltsburg

County Maps: Indiana, Westmoreland

Description: This stream has wooded banks with a few farms. Compared to most creeks in Western Pennsylvania this is a wide stream (river) and offers pleasant canoeing. During the first mile you can hear the whine of a mine fan. Just upstream of the first bridge is a very visible junkyard. [Reported 1990]

The Conemaugh River is part of the Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail. For information on Water Trails see page 12.

Difficulties: None.

Shuttle: The Corps of Engineers maintains a nice picnic area with restrooms at the dam. To reach the put-in follow State Route 981 north from the traffic light on US Route 22 in New Alexandria. Go 4.8 miles to Tunnelton Road. Turn right onto Tunnelton Road. Proceed 2 miles on Tunnelton Road and cross the Conemaugh River bridge to the village of Tunnelton. Follow Tunnelton Road another 0.9 miles to Auen Road. Turn right onto Auen Road. Follow 0.6 miles to Conemaugh River Lake entrance gate on right. Enter Conemaugh River Lake site. Veer right toward park office and follow signs to Tunnelview. The boat ramp at the Tunnelview site is 0.8 miles from the Conemaugh River Lake entrance gate. The park gate is locked in the evenings so park in a spot that will be unlocked when you return. After leaving the park, go straight. Turn right onto State Route 3003 and then turn left onto State Route 3002. Continue on State Route 3002 until it joins Point Street in Saltsburg. Follow Point Street to the river. The take-out is the short road which is designed for fire equipment access. Do not park near the pipe. This is just upstream of the bridge across the Kiskiminetas on river right. A longer trip may be had by adding the 6.7 miles described under the Kiskiminetas River.

The Saltsburg River & Trail Co. operates a canoe and bike livery at 111 Market Street. 1-877-890-5900.

Gauges: Tunnelton. This gauge should read between 3.0 and 6.7 feet. This corresponds to a flow of 720 to 7,850 cfs. You can call the Corps to get a recorded message with the current lake level and dam outflow. (724) 639-3785

Normal Wet Period: The Corps of Engineers will be adjusting water releases from the dam as part of a three-year test/study of the effects of small changes in weekend water releases from Conemaugh and Loyalhanna Dams for downstream recreation. These adjustments will begin Memorial Day weekend and continue through the summer. A web page (2003) is provided to let users know what the release schedule is.

http://wmw.lrp.usace.army.mil/misc/Kiski_Outlook.html (2004)