A. Blowtown to Richardsville 7.5 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I 18/20 Tiny A/A
Topographic Maps: Munderf,
Hazen, Brookville
County Maps: Jefferson
Description: A scenic trip through evergreen forest on clean water. [Reported 1999 ]
Difficulties: There are two places where pipes cross the creek causing a one foot drop. At low levels they are easily runnable.
Shuttle: The put-in is at a State Game Lands parking lot near Blowtown on Sugar Hill Road. To reach the take‑out, follow Sugar Hill Road northwest to Richardsville Road (State Route 4005). Turn left/south on State Route 4006 and follow for 6 miles to the bridge at Richardsville. This is the take‑out.
Gauge: None. Check the riffles just downstream of the put-in bridge. If it is passable, this section will be okay.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable through March.
B. Richardsville 10.0 miles
to Dr. Walter W. Dick Park in Brookville
B. Richardsville to Brookville
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 13/17 Small (98/163) A/A
mouth
of stream St.
Charles
Topographic Maps: Munderf, Hazen, Brookville, Sigel
County Maps: Jefferson
Description: This gem of a stream is clean and pristine throughout the run. The size is sufficient and the difficulty low enough so that paddlers can relax and soak up the beauty of the seven-mile valley. The first 2 miles below Richardsville has a wide valley floor with meandering stream. Then in a sharp loop, the stream turns south and enters a shallow canyon that provides a beautiful valley. Most of the valley below this point is part of one estate, and paddlers should respect the property owner's rights. A seemingly out-of-place grass bank on river right about 3 miles below the bridge marks the site of the owner's home. The spectacular home and setting blends well with the valley. Another mile reveals the high bridge of I-80 at the take-out. Recommended take-out is at the recreational area on river right at the dam. [Checked 2003]
Difficulties: None for the recommended take-out. Paddlers attempting to proceed downstream for the additional mile into Brookville or to the mouth of the North Fork must be aware of the sudden drop under the US Route 322 Bridge. This drop is a killer! The approach has a flood levee on stream right with a sign reading "DANGER - SUDDEN DROP - KEEP OUT". Paddlers should take out immediately when seeing the sign as there is very little opportunity to take out above the bridge.
Shuttle: To reach the put-in, start in Brookville at the commercial district. From there, head east on 322. At the east end of town you will cross the creek and immediately there will be a traffic light. This is Richardsville Road (State Route 4005). Turn left/north on State Route 4005 and go about 4 miles to Richardsville. Just north of Richardsville, the road crosses the creek at the put‑in. To reach the take‑out, return to Brookville via State Route 4005. At the intersection with US Route 322 turn right/west. You will immediately cross the creek. Take the next right/north, which is Water Plant Road. Follow Water Plant Road for about 0.5 miles to the base of the waterworks dam and Walter P. Dick Park. Park in the parking lot. When you paddle to here, you will have to land just above the dam and carry your boats down a 15-foot slope to get to your car. An alternate put-in is about 4 miles below Richardsville on State Route 4006 due west out of Richardsville. This put-in drops paddlers into the heart of the valley.
Gauges: St. Charles. This gauge further downstream will probably read between 4.5 and 8.0 feet (2003 rating table).
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.