A. West Export to
Abers Creek 4.1 miles
(Pennsylvania Turnpike)
A. West Export to Abers Creek
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 22/40 Tiny (45/75) C/C
estimate
Topographic Maps: Murrysville
County Maps: Westmoreland
Description: This close-to-Pittsburgh stream demonstrates that many acres of trees can still be found close to town. The section above the restaurant with the footbridge runs behind warehouses, restaurants, and light industry. The mile below the footbridge takes lots of maneuvering around chunks of rock apparently stirred up by industrial construction. From there to the Turnpike it is flowing with some riffles. This one is a good poling stream. [Checked 1997]
Difficulties: None. Some sections might go to Class II with standing waves when the rest of the creek is deep enough to get a good paddle stroke.
Shuttle: Via old William Penn Highway, US Route 22 and Abers Creek Road.
Gauges: None. On US Route 22 in Murrysville there is a side road with a footbridge to a parking lot. It used to be a Hardees, then Busy Day Gourmet, then Gattos Cycle Shop, now gone. Stand on the footbridge looking downstream. Look at the corrugated drainpipe (1.5 foot diameter) near water level in the retaining wall on river right. Its lower lip should be a few inches under water for poling, more for paddling. This may all change with the widening of State Route 22.
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. Abers Creek to
Trafford 5.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 6/22 Tiny (56/76) B-C/C
Trafford
Topographic Maps: Murrysville, Braddock
County Maps: Westmoreland
Description: [Reported 1997]
Difficulties: Trees have fallen about 0.25 miles below Saunders Station Bridge. Be sure to get out at the Forbes Road Bridge above the old Westinghouse plant in Trafford. Below the plant, at the State Route 30/993 Bridge, is a dangerous dam, about 6 feet high, both unrunnable and unportageable. The plant area is reputed to contain PCB and the concrete stream banks are fenced off very effectively to prevent all access. These fences form a cul-de-sac from which retreat would be exceedingly difficult. Do not continue beyond the Forbes Road Bridge.
Shuttle: Via Abers Creek Road to Saunders Station Road to Haymaker Road, to Forbes Road.
Gauges: None.
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.
C. Trafford to Monongahela River 7.5 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 7/9 Small (148/247) D/B
mouth
of creek
Topographic Maps: Braddock
County Maps: Westmoreland, Allegheny
Description: Below Trafford, Turtle Creek runs through an urban stream channel. Shortly below State Route 48 is Pitcairn. The stream bed runs on smooth bedrock for 100 yards with surfing waves and small holes. Below Pitcairn begins a flood channel that extends through Wilmerding, Turtle Creek, and East Pittsburgh. The scenery consists of concrete stream walls for 3 miles and buildings beyond. Local fishermen catch catfish and bass in this channel. Westinghouse Bridge brings an end to the concrete; scout the flood control dam here before the run to be sure you can get through. Below here the right bank is dominated by the Edgar Thompson works of USX, and the mouth of Turtle Creek is marked by 19 railroad tracks. [Reported 1997]
Difficulties: Do not attempt to combine this section with the previous section, which terminates shortly above an unrunnable dam. See description above. There is some Class II water around Pitcairn. Before running, scout the flood control dam under the Westinghouse Bridge. This dam has a huge gate that normally is 20 feet above the water and is lowered into Turtle Creek when the Monongahela is in flood. This prevents high water on the Monongahela from backing up Turtle Creek while huge pumps carry Turtle Creek's normal flow past the dam.
Shuttle: The put-in is not easy to find. Fencing along Turtle Creek in Trafford effectively blocks direct access from Trafford. From First Street there is a foot trail on river left along the Conrail mainline. This is not advised. The recommended put-in adds 0.5 to 1.0 miles by putting in on Brush Creek. Go down First Street to the dead end. Take Stewart Street, which is the underpass under the railroad nearby. Follow Stewart out of town and pick your access as it follows the creek. Best access is 0.2 miles past an athletic field where the road parallels the stream. Take out at Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam #2 on river right on the Monongahela River just downstream of the mouth of Turtle Creek.
Gauges: None.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.