A. Nashville to
Rochester Mills 6.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
II 25/40 Tiny (20/33) A/A
estimate McCormick
Topographic Maps: Rochester Mills
County Maps: Indiana
Description: This is a trout stream all the way to the backwaters of Mahoning Dam. This section is the fastest if you catch it with enough water, when it is narrow and swift. There are so many tight turns that you can lose sight of the boat in front of you. The high banks are wooded with rhododendron and hemlocks. [Reported 1982]
Difficulties: About 2 miles above Rochester Mills the stream splits, the right branch usually carrying the higher volume. After several hundred yards the right branch of the stream has a blind turn to the left where the current slows. Downed trees may have to be portaged, especially on the upper part.
Shuttle: The new high-level bridge connects Rochester Mills, south of the stream, with State Route 236 on the north. To get to the put-in go east on State Route 236 a few hundred yards, then turn right and go down to the water at the site of the old bridge. To reach the take-out drive across the bridge and turn left/east away from town. Go 4 miles to the bridge at Nashville (one-house town). There is also access at the halfway point of the trip, at the mouth of the North Branch of the Little Mahoning.
Gauges: McCormick. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. Look at the creek from the new bridge at Rochester Mills for the best indicator.
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. Rochester Mills 4.0 miles
to upstream of US Route 119
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 14/22 Small
(60/100) A-B/A
estimate McCormick
Topographic Maps: Rochester Mills, Marion Center
County Maps: Indiana
Description: The first of four dams is close to the put-in. The next three dams are in a series about 2 to 3 miles into the run. Ducks have been seen on the pools caused by these dams. [Reported 1981]
Difficulties: The four low dams always have logs stuck in the drops or at the walls. All should be portaged.
Shuttle: Put in at the old bridge along State Route 236. Take-out is also along State Route 236 about 0.25 miles short of US Route 119 where the road runs close to the stream. The US Route 119 bridge is posted no trespassing.
Gauges: McCormick. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. Look at the creek from the new bridge at Rochester Mills for the best indicator.
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.
C. Upstream of
US Route 119 5.0 miles
to State Route 210
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C 6/6 Small (70/117) A-B/A 3.0-??
estimate McCormick
Topographic Maps: Marion Center
County Maps: Indiana
Description: The stream winds back and forth in the valley and is bordered by many willow trees. You may get a glimpse of beavers, muskrats, kingfishers, or ducks anywhere along this stream. [Reported 1981]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: Put-in about 0.25 miles upstream of US Route 119 bridge along State Route 236. The US Route 119 bridge is posted due to abuse by fishermen. Head downstream on State Route 236 and cross US Route 119 and drive down the valley. The road parallels the stream at the Mottarns Mill bridge. Cross State Route 210 to a dirt road at the pig farm. Take out at a convenient point along this road. As the stream bends away from the road there is a church camp. You can drive into this area to check on the take-out.
Gauges: McCormick. This gauge should read above 3.0 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 180 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The McCormick gauge is above 3.0 feet 25% of the time.
D. State Route 210
to McCormick 4.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
B 4/4 Small (80/133) A-B/A 3.0-??
estimate McCormick
Topographic Maps: Marion Center
County Maps: Indiana
Description: This is the most peaceful and quiet section of the entire stream with the exception of the Mahoning Lake. [Reported prior to 1975]
Difficulties: There is a man-made rock pile dam next to a camp near the bottom end. If there is no break in the dam you should land and carry your boat over the rocks.
Shuttle: Take State Route 210 south toward Plumville, to just a mile past Georgeville. Take a right next to a cemetery. The sign should read McCormick or Smicksburg. Cross the Mahoning at the bottom of the hill and turn on the old road about 400 yards on the right. This road runs back to the stream.
Gauges: McCormick. This gauge should read above 3.0 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 180 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The McCormick gauge is above 3.0 feet 25% of the time.
E. McCormick 5.0 miles
to State Route 954 (Smicksburg)
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 6/6 Small
(87/153) A-B/A 3.0-??
McCormick McCormick
Topographic Maps: Marion Center, Plumville
County Maps: Indiana
Description: Almost the entire section is in the flood plain of Mahoning Dam which is 18 to 20 miles downstream. However, it is not as bad as it sounds. There are many riffles and chutes which make the trip interesting, plus an abundance of waterfowl and wildlife. [Reported prior to 1975]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: If you follow the road along the stream you will see a thriving Amish community in the Smicksburg area. Take out at the State Route 954 bridge.
Gauges: McCormick. This gauge should read above 3.0 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 180 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The McCormick gauge is above 3.0 feet 25% of the time.
F. State Route 954
(Smicksburg) 5.0 miles
to the 'Forks' Junction with Mahoning
F. State Route 954 to Mahoning River
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C 5/5 Small (113/188) A-B/A 3.0-??
mouth
of stream McCormick
Topographic Maps: Plumville, Dayton
County Maps: Indiana
Description: The scenery changes from flat land to scenic steep cliffs on some of the bends. There are enough rocks, riffles, and chutes to make the trip interesting. If the dam has recently backed water up over the area, the banks may be a real mess of mud. [Reported prior 1975]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: From the bridge take State Route 954 south 0.25 miles (through the village) and turn right, then right again after 100 yards. This will take you over the stream on a high bridge. Follow this road about 4 miles to the bridge at the river junction. To extend the trip another 6.5 miles, continue to a boat launch on the Dayton side of Mahoning Lake. See the Distant topographic map. Take-out is at the junction of the Little Mahoning with the main Mahoning at a small bridge. If this looks too messy, paddle up the main Mahoning to a better location.
Gauges: McCormick. This gauge should read above 3.0 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 180 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The McCormick gauge is above 3.0 feet 25% of the time.