2nd Bridge below State Route 949 10.5 miles
to Clarion Lake
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
II 23/52 Tiny (59/98) A/A
mouth
of stream Cooksburg
Topographic Maps: Corsica, Strattanville
County Maps: Jefferson,
Clarion
Description: This stream is a gem for whitewater paddlers looking for wilderness setting and Class II difficulty. The otherwise perfect setting is marred slightly by a recent pipeline and silty water coming from the upstream watershed. Scenery is dominated by hemlock and mature forests in a beautiful canyon. The area of this run is mostly within State Game Lands and therefore controlled. The run breaks roughly into thirds. The first third is small volume, uniform gradient with small rocks, easy maneuvering. The next third is Class I continuing past the Strattanville-Fisher Road (State Route 1001). The final third is a Class II plunge to the lake over bedrock ledges with waves and small holes. The whitewater ends within a few hundred yards of the take-out. The price for enjoying the upper Class II stretch is 1.5 miles of tiny stream with alder and trees. [Reported 1997]
Difficulties: Trees and alder through the first 1.5 miles. Possible downed trees throughout.
Shuttle: The put-in is reached by taking State Route 949 north from US Route 322 in Corsica to a bridge. Follow Township road on south bank downstream 1 mile to a hilltop, turn right, continue a 0.5 miles to a crossroads, turn right again, follow this road 0.75 miles to the put-in. Take-out is the Mill Creek Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Access Area on Clarion Lake. Turn north off US Route 322 in Strattanville and follow signs to the Reliant Energy (formally Pennelec) Recreation Area. An alternate put-in for a 3-mile whitewater run into the lake is State Route 1001 between Strattanville and Fisher.
Gauges: Cooksburg. This gauge on nearby Clarion River will probably read above 6.5 feet.
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.