Shade Creek, PA

Gauge Information

River Description

Upper section: The upper section starts at the confluence of Dark and Clear Shade and ends at the bridge in Hillsboro. This section is roughly 3 miles long and offers some very nice class 3 rapids. This is a very fun section, offering some nice surfing waves and some longer, continuous rapids. On this section, you want to pay particular attention to strainers. Trees are often a problem since it is so small. About a mile into the run, the river channel separates into two channels. This section you definitely want to watch out. Folks typically take the right channel. The creek separates in a couple other spots where strainers may be a hazard.

Middle section: The middle section starts at the Hillsboro bridge and ends at the next bridge on Camp Drive. This section is approximately 2 miles long. This is the easiest section of Shade Creek, but is worth running to avoid a shuttle cluster when running the entire length of Shade. Although the larger rapids are not present, it is still fairly scenic through an isolated gorge.

Lower section: The lower section of Shade is probably the most paddled and offers the best whitewater. This section is approximately 3 miles long, beginning on Camp Drive Bridge and ending on the Rt. 601 bridge in Seanor. This section of Shade can also be run into the Stony, as it enters the Stony 1/4 mile past the Seanor bridge. The first rapid is about 1/4 into the run where the river makes a 90 degree turn to the left. It is a hole and wave train. After this rapid, the river drops over ledge after ledge. Thrown in the middle are more ledges and holes. Did I say the creek is full of ledges and holes? Toward the end of the run is a fairly large rapid. It can probably be considered a class IV. You will know its coming when you start to see dwellings on river left. This rapid, Seanor rapid, is the largest on Shade - it is a combination of curler waves and holes coming from different directions for about 100 yards. Seanor rapid rivals any rapid on the Stony.

The water quality of Shade Creek is not so good. Years of coal mining in the Shade basin has left the creek severely contaminated from acid mine drainage (AMD). Dark Shade particularly contributes to the problem. When Shade is runnable, however, the AMD is somewhat diluted and not particularly noticeable. The Stonycreek-Conemaugh Rivers Improvement Project (SCRIP) is working to remedy the years of coal mining has taken on this stream.

Directions: To run the entire length of Shade Creek, put in at the bridge crossing Clear Shade Creek on Rt. 160 and take out at the Rte. 601 bridge in Seanor. You can run various sections, depending on your schedule.
The Hillboro bridge (i.e., the takeout for the upper section and putin for the middle section) can be found by making a right onto SR 1029 about 2.5 miles north of the putin on Rte. 160. Make your first left and the bridge will be dead ahead, a mile down the hill.
The Camp Drive bridge (i.e., the takeout for the middle section or the putin for the lower section) can be found by driving even further north on Rt. 160 from the putin. About a mile past the SR 1029 turn-off, you will see a hard left turn with a sign for Berkey Church of the Brethren. Take your first right onto this road and follow it to the stop sign. Go left at the stop sign and you'll see Shade Creek crossing under the road. You can see Shade Creek from the stop sign.

For other streams in this watershed, check out:
Stony Canyon (III-IV)
Stony Gorge (IV)
Roaring Fork (IV)
Shade Creek (III-IV)
Paint Creek (V)
Dark Shade Creek (IV-V)
Clear Shade Creek (III)
Conemaugh River (I-II)
Quemahoning Creek (III)