A. Goddard State
Park to Raymilton 9.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C 7/15 Small (100/167) A-B/A-B
estimate Rouseville
Topographic Maps: Sandy Lake, Polk
County Maps: Mercer, Venango
Description: This is a very nice run from below the dam in Goddard State Park, past the village of Sandy Lake, until one gets into the swamps. They start about 1.5 miles below the town and the terrain is still beautiful except there are numerous trees, fences, and logs. This is a good wildlife river, with very heavy cover. [Reported prior to 1999]
Difficulties: After entering the swamps below the town of Sandy Lake there are lots of downed trees. These are not as dangerous as the usual downed tree situation, since in the swamp the water does not flow very fast. One should still be very careful to avoid a pinning.
Shuttle: Put in below the dam in Goddard State Park. To get to the take-out, go east on US Route 62 from the town of Sandy Lake. Go about 5.0 miles to State Route 3015 and turn right/south. Continue on State Route 3015 for about 1.4 miles to the river crossing in Raymilton.
Gauges: Rouseville. This gauge on nearby Oil Creek will probably read above 4.0 feet.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
B. Raymilton to
Pecan 8.5 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I-II 14/14 Small
(161/268) A-B/B
mouth
of stream Streamside
Topographic Maps: Polk
County Maps: Venango
Description: Several picnic spots are close to good chutes to play in. Wildlife is often sighted. The stream becomes polluted from Polk to the Allegheny. The short stretches through Raymilton and Polk are the only sights of civilization in otherwise very rugged country. [Checked 1999]
Difficulties: Many trees are down above Polk.
Shuttle: To reach the take-out, go south from Raymilton on State Route 3015 for about 1 mile. Turn left/north on State Route 965. At the junction with US Route 62, turn right/east on State Route 62. In Polk turn right/east onto State Route 3024. At the junction with State Route 8 turn right/south. Shortly after the turn, State Route 8 will fork with old Route 8 on the right and by-pass Route 8 going left. You will want the right hand fork for old Route 8, not the divided highway. Continue on old State Route 8, now State Route 3013 for about 1.5 miles to Pecan and the take-out. Just before the road crosses the creek high up, go down to creek level on a dirt road named Pecan Valley Road. An additional 3 miles to the Allegheny river is available. On the south side of the Pecan bridge follow the signs to Fisherman's Cove access ramp on the Allegheny river. Pecan is not on some maps, but is called Mays Mill instead.
Gauges: Bridge abutment on State Route 965. More than 8 blocks showing indicates it is too low to run. Real fun with between 8 to 5.5 blocks showing. The Rouseville gauge on nearby Oil Creek will probably read above 3.0 feet.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.