Beaver Creek,

River Description

River Description:

This creek flows out of Gifford Pinchot Park Lake(Northeast corner of the lake).Beaver Creek's upper reaches lie underneath the manmade Gifford Pinchot Park lake.

Beaver Creek begins at the bridge on Alpine Road. Parking is avaliable on the upstream river right side of the bridge. The takeout is located on Bull Road at the bridge crossing.Parking is available on river right side, downstream of the bridge.

The run can only be made in the late fall, winter or spring after heavy rains or continuous rain for several days.This dam has a spillway and a drain valve, when the lake is full, water will naturally flow over
the 100 ft spillway to provide natural flow. Sometimes, water is released from the dam through a drain valve. Every three years, the lake is drained to a certain level to allow algae to be killed. This release typically lasts one week. The release is typically(valve 1/2 way open)enough to provide minmum runnable levels

This creek is very tight(15 feet at its narrowest)The entire run is approximately 1.5 miles long. The first 0.5 miles is flat water(Class II).
The next and final mile is continuous Class III-IV

Wood is definately a problem on this creek, this includes fallen trees and overhanging trees.
Every summer, I cut out at least 5 downed trees.

Shuttle Directions:

Put In

Take Route 74 North from York through Dover. 4 miles north of Dover Town Square, turn right onto Alpine Road(first road after crossing the Conewago Creek). Travel approximately 4-5 miles on Alpine Road(NE direction). After you pass Bob's Weld Shop on your right keep your eyes peeled for a gravel parking lot on the left, before you cross Beaver Creek.

Take Out

From the Put In, turn left out of the parking lot onto Alpine Road. Travel approximately 0.25 miles. Turn right onto Conley Road. Travel approximately 2 miles to Bull Road. Turn right at the stop sign, onto Bull Road. Travel approximately 200 yards to the Take Out bridge the crosses Beaver Creek.

Major Rapids(in sequential order):

Little Heizlinger(III+)

Caution: As of 8/5/01, A tree blocks the left slot.

Set up eddy is on river right site 10 feet above drop. Paddle under a log that spans the creek, drop over a 2 foot ledge and then go either left or right. The left side is the pillow move like Heizlinger on the Upper Yough. The left or right slots drop 3-4 feet

Hair of the Beaver or Slot(III+)

Paddle around the right side of a large rock. This rock protrudes in from the left bank into the center of the creek. Make a sharp left hand turn around the rock and head for the 4 ft wide slot. You need good boat control through the slot or you will most definitely piton. The drop through this section maybe 5 feet total.

Ring Rapid(IV)

This rapid is approximately 75-100 yards long and drops around 30 feet. You can see the horizon line as you approach the drop. Start in river center, about half way down work to river right and follow the channelized flow down the right side. Eddy on left. About midway through the rapid, you'll see a ring hanging from a rope on a tree. Immediately, below this drop is a large tree(2 feet in diameter) that has fallen in the creek, from river right side. Do not get to close to it because you will get pinned. At all levels you can get by it, running down the center of the creek.

Takeout Bridge Rapid(III+)

This rapid approximately 30 yards long and drops 10-12 feet. The rapid starts 30 yards above the bridge and ends directly under the bridge. Run this starting river center, working to the left and then back right.

All other rapids are class III-III+