A. Shanksville to
Kantner (US Route 30) 7.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
IV 61/80 Small (85/142) A/A
estimate Streamside
Topographic Maps: Stoystown
County Maps: Somerset
Description: This river section has a wide variety to offer. It starts easy, plunges furiously, and then levels off with medium-difficulty rapids. [Reported 1981]
Difficulties: The river is Class III for about a mile below the put-in. About 0.4 miles below the covered bridge with a railroad retaining wall on the left, and 100 feet beyond a sharp bend to the right, there is often a brush dam blocking most of the left side of the river. It is sometimes possible to paddle around on the right in low water, but it is dangerous to do so in high water. At least one person is known to have been swept into the dam and nearly killed. Round all right-hand bends with caution. Scout the brush dam before running. This brush dam has been there for many years. Because of the character of the riverbed, it will probably always be there. After this, the river goes wild for the next mile or two. The rapids become Class IV, very tight with much maneuvering necessary. Past this difficult section, the river becomes Class II-III to the end, except for a complex sloping ledge 0.5 miles above Mostollar.
Shuttle: To find the put-in take State Route 1007 from Kantner to Shanksville, turn off onto an obscure tree-lined lane 0.25 miles south of State Route 1019 that seems to enter a farmer's field, and put in at the covered bridge. Take out at the bridge in Kantner or upstream at the Mostollar Bridge, 1.5 miles west of Lambertsville.
Gauges: A canoeist's gauge on bridge abutment at US Route 30 across Stony Creek. There should be at least 0 feet showing on the gauge for a low, but acceptable, run. One foot would probably be a very good run. A reading of above 3.0 feet would probably be dangerous. This painted gauge probably runs 3 to 4 feet when Hollsopple reads 5 to 6 feet.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
B. Kantner
(US Route 30) to Hollsopple 12.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I/II 19/30 Medium
(244/407) C-D/C
Hollsopple Ferndale
Topographic Maps: Stoystown, Hooversville
County Maps: Somerset
Description: This little-paddled section offers possibilities to novices. Stream is open with little difficulty except for one Class II rapid under the highway bridge at Landstreet. The last 1.5 miles is Class B. [Checked 2003]
Difficulties: The rapid under the highway bridge at
Landstreet,
Shuttle: The Conemaugh Valley Conservancy has negotiated river access at the Hollsopple ballfield
Gauges: Ferndale. We do not have a minimum level for this gauge. A reading of 5.9 feet (2003 rating table) is high but runnable. This corresponds to a flow of 3040 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.
C. Hollsopple to
Kring 8.5 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III-IV 34/66 Medium
(375/625) A-B/B-C 3.2-4.6
estimate Ferndale
Topographic Maps: Hooversville, Johnstown
County Maps: Somerset, Cambria
Description: At a level of 3 feet on the Hollsopple gauge, this creek is an honest Class IV. Several of the rapids are like the best part of Entrance Rapids on the Youghiogheny, with water boiling around and over large rocks, and curlers set at rapidly changing angles to the main stream. There are many hydraulics in which one could play, and some in which one definitely would not want to play. The banks are generally scenic, and there is some access to the creek on foot. At lower water levels the river is easier, but it is generally more suited to rafts and covered boats than to open equipment. [Checked 2003]
The Bens Creek Canoe Club’s web site offers a description of this creek, as well as several others on the area.
http://www.benscreekcanoeclub.com/Creeks.htm
Difficulties: About a mile downstream from Hollsopple, the river begins to get cluttered, signifying the approach to the first real rapid. One must move to the left side of the river, go over a slight drop and down a chute bordered by long curler waves. You are, in effect, entering the open part of a "V" and heading for the point where two big curlers meet. At this point, the currents get interesting and you may need your roll. You may infer that this is a closed-boat run. The 0.75 miles between the mouth of Shade Creek and the railroad bridge is marked with sloping ledges and hydraulics. The next mile below the railroad bridge has mixed ledges and boulder drops in plunge-pool fashion as the river makes two large right bends. At a point where the river turns sharply back to the left, there is a small island. Here the railroad rejoins the river. There is a major drop at the base of the island. If in doubt, run the right side of the island, tight to island. This is the left side of the right channel, or better yet, scout the rapid. About a mile from this is Border Dam, which is unrunnable. Carry on the left. A few hundred yards below the dam is the Pipeline Hydraulic. It should be scouted and probably carried on the right. In high water (over 5 feet at Hollsopple), it is Class VI (risk of life). Above 3 feet it is just tough. About 0.5 miles downstream, a line of waves on the right leads into a dangerous hydraulic. It is easily avoided to the left.
Shuttle: Put in at the State Route 403 bridge. To get to the take-out, go north on State Route 403. Go about 6 miles and turn right onto State Route 4041. Go about 1 mile to the creek in Kring.
Gauges: Ferndale. This gauge should read between 3.2 and 4.6 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 450 to 1,500 cfs. There is a painted gauge on the center pier of the State Route 601 Bridge in Foustwell. A reading of 1.4 feet on this gauge is a minimum runnable level. If the Stony is too high, try Shade Creek from Dark Shade Creek to Seanor. If the Stony is too low, try Blacklick Creek from Heshbon to Josephine.
A Quemahoning Whitewater Release Study was complete (2003) and submitted to DCNR for review. The conclusions appear favorable and an application for Final Design and Construction Grant was submitted to DCNR. Bens Creek Canoe Club is anticipating construction of the release structure in August 2004.
Normal Wet Period: The Ferndale gauge is above 3.2 feet 41% of the time and above 4.6 feet 12% of the time. The Quemahoning Creek which flows into the Story just about 0.5 miles above Hollsopple is dam controlled. It is recently (1998) purchased from a private company and turned over to a county agency.
D. Kring to
Johnstown 7.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
B-I 11/20 Medium
(451/771) D/C
Ferndale Ferndale
Topographic Maps: Johnstown
County Maps: Somerset, Cambria
Description: The first 1.5 miles is Class I. Below Ferndale is Johnstown with its concrete-lined channels. The attraction here is the city, with bridges and buildings above the concrete river. [Reported 1982]
Where the Creek flows past Greenhouse Park there are plans to install a whitewater park (2004). Boulders will be placed in the stream for about a 300 yard section to create some rapids. Included will be a riverside path, spectators area, a boater change house, pavilions, and parking. Hope is for construction to begin in August 2004. Check the Bens Creek Canoe Cub's newsletter for the latest status of this project. http://www.benscreekcanoeclub.com (2004)
Difficulties: Pipe crossing creates hole on left, 0.5 miles below Kring.
Shuttle: State Route 403 between Ferndale and downtown Johnstown.
Gauges: Ferndale. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. A reading of 3.7 on the Ferndale gauge corresponds to the mean flow of 771 cfs. Since this is a medium-sized river, we speculate that the river will be runnable at 3.7 and may be on the high side of runnable at that level.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.