A. Raccoon to Murdocksville 12.0 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 10/20 Small (75/125) B/C 2.4-??
estimated Moffatts
Mills
Topographic Maps: Burgettstown, Clinton
County Maps: Washington, Beaver
Description: The creek descends at a steady gradient through woods and beside 50-100 foot cliffs. Between Raccoon and Bavington there is lots of trash, untreated discharge, and evidence of strip mining. The railroad bridge just below Raccoon is worth a look. It is a very impressive piece of work. From Bavington to Murdocksville, the intrusion of civilization is less evident. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: Numerous downed trees completely span the stream and you must carry over or around. Two log jams in the first couple of miles below Bavington appear to have been there for a while.
Shuttle: Put in at the State Route 4012 bridge 0.5 miles west of Raccoon. A dirt road parallels the stream to Murdocksville via Bavington. For a somewhat faster shuttle, follow State Route 4012 west to State Route 18. Turn right/north and go about 0.1 miles to the first light on State Route 4007. Turn right and follow this road to Bavington. Turn right on State Route 4004, immediately crossing the creek. After crossing the creek take an immediate left on a dirt road. You will cross the creek in about 0.1 miles. This is an intermediate access point. Continue about 0.75 miles further. About 700 feet before crossing the creek again, turn left on another dirt road. The turn is hidden behind a hill and is easy to miss. Continue 1.6 miles further and make a very sharp right turn at the crossroads. Continue 0.4 miles to the intersection with the paved road. Turn left onto State Route 4002 and continue 2 miles or so to Murdocksville, where the bridge will be in sight on the left. Look for a place to park that is out of the way. The more reliable shuttle is to continue north on State Route 18 for about 8 miles. Just before Franklin Springs turn right/east towards Murdocksville and go 4 miles to the river. The bridge just below Bavington provides a good halfway access point.
Gauges: Moffatts Mills. This gauge should read above 2.4 feet (2002 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 310 cfs. If there is enough water in the rapid just upstream of the Murdocksville bridge, there should be enough for the whole run.
Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from mid March to late March. The Moffatts Mill gauge is above 2.4 feet 18% of the time.
B. Murdocksville to
State Route 151 11.0 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 6/10 Small (125/208) B/B-C 2.3-??
estimated
Moffatts Mills
Topographic Maps: Clinton, Aliquippa
County Maps: Beaver
Description: For the first 3 miles below US Route 30 the stream flows gently through woods and against 20-to-40‑foot shale cliffs topped by hemlock. The river passes through the wooded gorge of Raccoon Creek State Park. After this the surroundings are more pastoral. Since this section of Raccoon Creek is just west of Greater Pittsburgh International Airport, 737s and 757s provide bass counterpoint to the usual twittering of birds and chirpings of critters. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: Numerous trees have fallen into the creek. With careful maneuvering you can sneak past most of them at reasonable water levels. However, exercise special care near all fallen trees, when high water brings swift currents.
Shuttle: To reach the take-out leave Murdocksville going north on State Route 3044, drive 1.8 miles to US Route 30, make a sharp left/west onto US Route 30, go 3 miles, passing the state park. Turn right on State Route 3023, drive 3.5 miles to State Route 151. Turn right/east and go 1 mile to the creek. There is another bridge a mile or so downstream with a little better river access. To reach it proceed east on State Route 151 for another mile, make a sharp left turn, and go north about 0.5 miles to the creek.
Beaver County has designated the portion of Raccoon Creek from Murdocksville to State Route 18 near the mouth as the Beaver County Canoe Trail. Signs have been placed at 5 locations within this stretch and the next to indicate public access points. #1 ‑ at Murdocksville, #2 ‑ on Traverse Creek within Raccoon State Park, #3 ‑ on State Route 151 at Independence Marsh, #4 ‑ on Green Garden Road, #5 ‑ at State Route 18. These access points may be used to construct trips of varying distances.
Gauges: Moffatts Mills. This gauge should read above 2.3 feet (2002 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 263 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from late February to early May. The Moffatts Mill gauge is above 2.3 feet 21% of the time.
C. State Route 151 to State Route 18 13.0 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 8/14 Small (178/193) C/B 2.3-??
Moffatts
Mill Moffatts Mills
Small
(184/ ) mouth of creek
Topographic Maps: Aliquippa, Beaver
County Maps: Beaver
Description: This is a near-to-town stream, with accompanying advantages and disadvantages. Raccoon Creek meanders along through populated countryside most of the time. [Reported 1979, Checked to Green Garden Plaza 1996]
Difficulties: As the water level rises, the stream meanders less, and cuts through the trees more. Fallen trees may be a problem in some areas.
Shuttle: The put-in is on State Route 151 at the crossing of Raccoon Creek about 3 miles west of Gringo. Take State Route 60 from Gringo to Bellowsville. The take-out is about 1 mile west of Bellowsville. An alternative to the State Route 151 access point is a bridge a mile or so farther downstream. A somewhat better take-out spot than the State Route 18 bridge is a bridge about 1 mile upstream. The trip can be broken roughly in half by using access from the Green Garden Plaza shopping center, just west of State Route 60 at the Aliquippa exit. See note in Section B about the Beaver County Canoe Trail.
Gauges: Moffatts Mills. This gauge should read above 2.4 feet (2002 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 263 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: This section is normally runnable from late February to early May. The Moffatts Mills gauge is above 2.3 feet 21% of the time.