A. State Route 1013 6.2 miles
to Scott Drive bridge
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 23/47 Tiny (25/42) A/B
estimate Cooksburg
Topographic Maps: Lucinda, Strattanville
County Maps: Clarion
Description: Putting in on this tiny stream is like stepping back to the days of virgin timber in the state. The valley is dominated by mature hemlock with occasional pockets of deciduous trees and a few meadows. The forest floor is mostly open. Acid runoff is evident in lower parts of the run. [Reported 1989]
Difficulties: Trees, especially at islands. A low-water bridge, a runnable 2‑foot dam with mildly sloping concrete face.
Shuttle: The put-in is reached by taking State Route 1005 north from Clarion to the second left turn past the Helens Furnace historical marker. Turn left/northwest onto State Route 1013. Go about 0.5 miles to the bridge. To reach the take-out, return to State Route 1005 and head 3.25 miles back towards Clarion/south. Turn right/north on State Route 1002 and then left/west on Scott Drive. Follow Scott Drive to the creek. The take-out is the third bridge above Clarion Lake.
Gauges: Cooksburg. This gauge on nearby Clarion River will probably read above 7.0 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. Scott Drive to Clarion
Lake 4.1 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III 29/60 Tiny (35/58) A/A
mouth
of stream Cooksburg
Topographic Maps: Lucinda, Strattanville, Clarion
County Maps: Clarion
Description: Surprise! This is a whitewater gem. Rapids range from short steep boulder drops to shallow ledges with many small holes. A couple of sizeable holes can be found. Much of the stream flows on bedrock. There are many opportunities to play. Acid drainage is evident from the rock color but the valley is otherwise beautiful. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: Major problems to Class I paddlers who miss the take-out for the upper section.
Shuttle: The put-in is reached by going north from Clarion on State Route 1005. Go past the Miola intersection and turn left/west on State Route 1002 and then left again on Scott Drive. Follow Scott Drive to the creek. To get to the take out, retrace the route to where State Route 1005 crosses Clarion Lake. The take‑out is a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Access Area on the south side of the bridge. An alternate take-out at the beginning of the lake is found by taking the first road away from the lake. Access to the stream is poor at the alternate take-out.
Gauges: Cooksburg. This gauge on nearby Clarion River will probably read above 6.5 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.