A. From mouth of
Haynan Creek 2.3 miles
to Avella
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I-II 13/13 Tiny
(30/50) C/C
estimated
Topographic Maps: Avella
County Maps: Washington
Description: There is a lot of trash dumped on both banks of this creek, but the creek is only lightly polluted chemically. The town of Avella seems to be one large trash heap. This is a shallow creek with a gravel bottom making it suitable for poling, even though there is a smooth rock bottom at several ledges. [Checked 2001]
Difficulties: There is an 8 foot dam above a sportsman's club, as well as half a dozen large ledges that make nice rapids, above Avella and in the town. One is just upstream of the main highway bridge in the center of town. All are difficult to run without scraping, unless water levels are very high, in which case they could have powerful cross-currents.
Shuttle: Put in by the bridge off State Route 50 on the road going up Haynan Creek. By starting here you must portage around a 6‑foot dam, 0.25 miles downstream. There is an alternative put-in below the dam near the State Route 50 bridge, 0.5 miles further down (0.5 miles above Avella). Proceed to the take-out along State Route 50 into Avella, then follow the signs for Meadowcroft, to the last bridge in town. Pull off before the mine dump. Access for the take-out is under the railroad bridge at the State Route 231 crossing just west of Avella.
Gauges: None available.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.
B. Avella to Pennsylvania State Line 5.8 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I-II 20/29 Small
(63/105) B/C
Penowa Streamside
Topographic Maps: Avella, Steubenville East (Ohio)
County Maps: Washington
Description: There is a lot of trash on both banks of the creek, but this diminishes and the scenery gradually improves with distance from Avella. The banks are mostly wooded, with many large cliffs and rocks. This is a fast-moving, shallow, challenging stream when runnable, suitable for poling. [Checked 2001]
Difficulties: Two Class II rapids. Both are artificial channels caused by the railroad embankment taking bends out of the creek. The first is 1 mile below Avella. The second is 3 miles down (0.25 miles above the bridge near Meadowcroft).
Shuttle: Put in under the railroad bridge at the northwest edge of Avella. An alternate access would be at the highway bridge near Meadowcroft. Take out at the bridge near the mouth of Coal Hollow, which is the end of the paved road, and adjacent to the Pennsylvania and West Virginia state line. Follow the county road west of Avella, taking the right-hand fork near the top of the hill 1 mile out of town. This road continues past the entrance to Meadowcroft Village (near "Jefferson" on topographic maps) and follows the creek to the state line, 0.5 miles past the railroad crossing and railroad tunnel. The first mile of this road in West Virginia is nearly impassable.
Gauges: None available. Can be judged by shallows at the highway bridge near Meadowcroft Village.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
C. Pennsylvania State Line to Ohio River 7.0 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
II 24/28 Small (63/105) B/C
Penowa Streamside
Topographic Maps: Steubenville East (Ohio)
County Maps: Brooke (West Virginia)
Description: There is slightly less trash on stream banks than in the upper sections, and the scenery improves (large cliffs, farms, partly wooded banks). This is a fast moving, interesting canoe trip. Good for poling. [Checked 2001]
Difficulties: There is a Class II-III rapid just below Scott Run, where the railroad has made an artificial channel for the stream by removing a bend. It is easily scouted from the left bank, just below a small island. Other rapids are Class I. Watch for downed trees, and log jams in the lower part. The backwater from the Ohio River does not start until 0.25 miles from the take-out.
Shuttle: Put in at the last bridge in Pennsylvania or, for a longer trip, at the bridge near Meadowcroft Village. Take out at the old highway abutments, 0.25 miles up Cross Creek Road from West Virginia Route 2, adjacent to the Ohio River. From the put-in at Avella, take State Route 50 to Independence, Pennsylvania, then west on West Virginia Route 27 to Wellsburg, West Virginia, then north on West Virginia Route 2 to Cross Creek Road. Do not attempt the road from the state line put-in directly to Virginville. This was a Class VI road in February 1977.
Gauges: None available. Can be judged by the shallows at the highway bridge near Meadowcroft Village.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.