Muddy Creek (Susquehanna trib),

Paper Mill Road to Susquehanna River (Cold Creek Park)

Usual Difficulty	II(III) (may vary with level)
Length	5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	15 fpm
Max Gradient	30 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
Codorus Creek near York, PA
usgs-01575500	3.00 - 5.00 ft	II(III)	10h38m	2.88 ft (rc= -0.1 )

River Description

A surprisingly good whitewater run. It would really be first class if it wasn't for the 1.5 miles of flatwater on the end created by the Conowingo Dam. Muddy Creek is actually reasonably clear, and flows through a pretty laurel studded gorge that looks like it belongs in the Appalachians.

Put in at the Paper Mill bridge. The river warms up with some riffles for a mile until you come to the first Class III 4 foot ledge drop. After some more action, the river necks sharply. Get over to the right, because you have reached Muddy Falls, a nasty 15 ft or so drop which requires a 100 yard or so portage over rocks. After this, it's a mile or so of pure sugar, as the river drops over ledge after ledge, including some neat multiple ones.

Entering in the flatwater spoils the fun, and now you must make up for it with a 1/2 mile paddle down to the Susquehanna, then a paddle to one of two public water access points located either a mile up or a mile down stream.

For more information, see Keystone Canoeing by Gertler, E.