A. Newboro to Allison <<6.4>> miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I xxx Tiny(41/) A/A
Brownsville
Topographic Maps: New
Salem, Carmichaels, California
County Maps: Fayette
Description: This section is tiny at the start and basically a swamp run. Mostly flat. There is one stretch with a parallel lake/swamp. There are houses nearby. [Reported 1994]
Difficulties: Moderate number of strainers.
Shuttle: To find the put-in, take State Route 166 south from US Route 40 just east of Brownsville. Follow 166 for about 5 miles to a left/southeast turn at Cardale Road. Follow Cardale/Filbert Orient Road for 4 miles to the put‑in just past State Route 4010. To reach the take‑out, return to State Route 166 and turn right/north. About 0.75 miles after crossing the creek near Allison, turn sharp right/south onto East Avenue for 0.1 miles to Allison Road. Turn sharp left/northeast onto Allison Road. Follow Allison Road to the bridge over Dunlap Creek.
Gauge: None.
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. Allison to Brownsville
6.2 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
II 26/40 Tiny (33/43) BC/C
Allison Allison
Tiny
(42/70) mouth of stream
Topographic Maps: New
Salem, Carmichaels, California
County Maps: Fayette
Description: This small stream flows northwestward into the Monongahela River. Like several nearby streams (Dunkard Creek, Georges Creek, Redstone Creek, Ten Mile Creek, and Whiteley Creek), it resembles a mountain stream as it cuts down through the bedrock of the Appalachian Plateau, seeking the level of the Monongahela River. The creek is characterized by many ledges, which vary from sloping to level, jagged to smooth, and alone or in series. At low water, most of the holes below the ledges were surfable to some extent with no keepers. At higher levels some of the ledges and holes will probably wash out and others may reach Class III. There is a lot of trash along the hillsides, banks, and creek bottom; the stream flows through some ghastly abandoned strip mines above Brownsville; and the water smells of sewage. However the creek is remote, supports wildlife, and features historical features including an abandoned railroad tunnel and old mine buildings. It will never be famous for its scenic beauty or its death-defying rapids, but it is nevertheless worth running. The film "Maria's Lovers" was filmed in the area of Brownsville near the take-out. [Checked 1994]
Difficulties: Strainers are common, especially in the slower water above Brownsville. Stream flows under some buildings in Brownsville. Some of the ledges appear just around blind curves.
Shuttle: To find the put-in, take State Route 166 south from US Route 40 just east of Brownsville. Follow State Route 166 to the first creek crossing, which is Dunlap Creek (check water level here). About 0.5 miles after crossing the creek near Allison, turn left/south onto East Avenue for 0.1 miles to Allison Road. Turn sharp left/northeast onto Allison Road and follow Allison Road to the bridge over Dunlap Creek. To get to the take-out, return to State Route 166 and continue north to US Route 40; turn west to Brownsville. Just before the high level bridge over the Monongahela River turn right. Turn left at a stop sign and follow this street under the bridge, down the hill into downtown Brownsville; turn left at the third light and follow that street until you reach the creek. There is a lot of crime in this area.
Gauges: Allison. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. Visually judge navigability from the State Route 166 bridge.
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.
3/5 after Dunlap, before Ten Mile