A. State Route 948 9.0 miles
to Ridgway Reservoir/Laurel Mill Road
A. State Route 948 to Ridgway Reservoir
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III 25/28 Tiny (25/42) A/A
Ridgway
Reservoir Wilcox
Topographic Maps: James City, Portland Mills
County Maps: Elk
Description: Also known as Big Mill Creek, this is the upper of the two Mill Creeks that run into the Clarion. This small tributary of the Clarion drains a near-wilderness area in the southeastern part of the Allegheny National Forest. Portions of the stream are fenced off for fish propagation by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission requiring skillful cable ducking or short portages. Note: the signs say it is illegal to be within the fenced off area. We (the editors) have been told by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that this was not the intent and that they would investigate rewording of the signs. The size picks up near the reservoir. You will probably want to combine this run with the next section. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: No boating is allowed on the reservoir. You should portage down the right side of the lake. It is a tiny stream this high up and fallen trees are a certainty.
Shuttle: A put-in on State Route 948 is possible. The take-out is on the left side, 0.3 miles below the dam. A dirt road (Forest Service 143) along the upper 6 miles gives general access for alternatives, however it is a gated road and may be locked. To get to the take-out, go south on State Route 948 to Ridgway. Take West Main Street out of Ridgway which becomes Laurel Mill Road (State Route 3002). Go about 2 miles to the river crossing. An alternate take out which avoids the reservoir is the Bingham Road bridge. To reach this bridge, take West Main Street out of Ridgway for about 1.0 miles. Turn right/north on State Route 4001. Go 2.3 miles to Bingham Road. Turn left/west and follow to the creek.
Gauges: Wilcox. This gauge on nearby West Branch of the Clarion River will probably read above 4.3 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.
B. Ridgway
Reservoir 2.2 miles
to Clarion River
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III 32/33 Tiny (32/53) A/A
mouth
of stream Wilcox
Topographic Maps: Portland Mills
County Maps: Elk
Description: This small tributary of the Clarion drains the southeastern area of Allegheny National Forest. The gradient picks up below the dam to make the last 2 miles a pleasant whitewater run. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: Possibility of fallen trees because of its small size.
Shuttle: To reach the reservoir, take West Main Street out of Ridgway, which becomes State Route 3002 when State Route 948 turns right. Near hilltop at edge of town, State Route 3002 has a sharp left turn followed in 100 yards by a sharp right with side road to the right between. This road leads to reservoir. To get to the take out, return to Ridgway. Take State Route 949 west. Go about 3 miles to the area across from the mouth of Mill Creek. Take out on left bank of Clarion across from mouth of Big Mill Creek and carry up bank to State Route 949.
Alternate put-ins are Sandy Beach Recreation Area on State Route 3002 for a 1.6 mile run, or at the bridge on Forest Service Road 135 (Bingham Road) off State Route 4001 for a 4.3 mile run beginning above the reservoir. Note: This road is gated and sometimes is locked. Alternate take-outs are any place along the Clarion above Portland Mills.
Gauges: Wilcox. This gauge on nearby West Branch of the Clarion River will probably read above 4.3 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.