A. Beaver Creek State Park 6.5 miles
to Fredericktown
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 10/11 Medium (450/750) A/B 2.9-4.7
estimated East
Liverpool
Topographic Maps: East Liverpool North (Ohio)
County Maps: Columbiana (Ohio)
Description: This stream is in Ohio but it is very convenient to Pittsburgh (less than one hour driving time). It is quite scenic and offers a pleasant challenge to those just beginning to learn whitewater. The remains of a number of old locks from the Sandy and Beaver Canal (circa 1840) can be seen. It is excellent for family trips. The stream has bass, and the water quality is high enough for swimming. The gradient is very uniform. The Little Beaver is one of three streams in this area to be designated a National Scenic River. See The National Wild and Scenic River system on page 6. [Checked 1994]
Difficulties: None unless the trip is extended past the State Route 170 bridge. There is a ledge at the confluence with the North Fork (shortly beyond the State Route 170 bridge). Run on the far right after scouting. In low water the ledge may be unrunnable.
Shuttle: Put in about 100 yards upstream of the bridge in Beaver Creek State Park. There is abundant parking in the State Park parking lots nearby. Shuttle via Calcutta to the take-out just upstream of the State Route 170 bridge on the right bank.
Gauges: East Liverpool. This gauge should read between 2.9 and 4.7 feet. This corresponds to a flow of 172 to 957 cfs. This stream seems to be runnable at a wide range of levels. You can check the water level with either Ohio Canoe Tours (216-497-KANU) (800‑435‑KANU) or the Park Ranger (216) 385-3091. Each day the ranger looks at the river staff gauge on the bridge by the park office and lets his secretary know if it is runnable or not.
Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from late November to late June, except it is normally too high from mid March to early April.
B. Fredericktown 7.8 miles
to the Ohio River (Glasgow)
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I-II 11/12 Medium
(493/514 ) A/B 2.8-4.6
Grimms
Bridge East
Liverpool
Medium(503/838)
mouth
Topographic Maps: East Liverpool North (Ohio)
County Maps: Columbiana (Ohio), Beaver
Description: This stream is, for the most part, in Ohio. It drains into the Ohio River at Glasgow, Pennsylvania, a few miles west of Midland on State Route 68. The remains of several locks from the Sandy and Beaver Canal (circa 1840) can be seen. It is not quite as scenic as either the upstream section or the Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek. It is still very pleasant and very popular. For a pleasant weekend camping trip, put in on the Middle Fork of Little Beaver and run down to the Ohio. This gives you up to 30 miles if the entire section is done, but there are plenty of alternative put-ins to cut the trip down to any desired size. There is plenty of time to stop to look at the remains of the old locks and to swim in the pools. Except for Beaver Creek State Park, all land is privately owned, mainly by a single party who is interested in protecting the natural values of Little Beaver Creek Valley. Make sure your camping manners demonstrate this same interest. [Checked 1998]
Difficulties: If you put in above the State Route 170 bridge, be aware of the ledge below the bridge, described in trip A above.
Shuttle: Note that the road from Glasgow to Calcutta is not shown on some road maps. The put-in for this trip is the same as the take-out for trip A above. Also, you can put in just upstream from the State Route 170 bridge on the right/south side of the creek. Shuttle via Calcutta on the Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road to the take-out which is visible from the State Route 68 bridge over the creek at Glasgow (west side of stream, north side of the road). Alternatively, you can take out on the east side of the creek about 0.25 miles north of State Route 68 on a well-maintained gravel road upstream from the barge loading chute. An alternative take-out is at Grimms Bridge. Turn west on Grimms Bridge Road off the Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road. This splits the trip in half.
Gauges: East Liverpool. This gauge should read between 2.8 and 4.6 feet. This corresponds to a flow of 150 to 898 cfs. Call Beaver Creek State Park or Ohio Canoe Tours. See Section A of the Little Beaver Creek for the phone number. It is not unusual to run this stream year round except for a few dry spells.
Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from late November to late June, except it is normally too high from mid March to early April.