Lehigh,

2. Rockport to Glen Onoko (Lower)

Usual Difficulty	II-III (may vary with level)
Length	12.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	30 fpm
Max Gradient	30 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
Lehigh R bl Francis E Walter Res nr White Haven PA
usgs-01447800	450 - 10000 cfs	II-III	01h17m	546 cfs (rc= 0.0 )

River Description

Longer and more scenic than the upper section, it has more challenging rapids, but more flat water.
Related web sites: ab257's Lehigh Page Lehigh River Water Trail
The weekend releases are posted Fridays at:
Army Corps and reservoir levels can be found at: Francis Walter Dam

This section is a 12 mile run from Rockport to Jim Thorpe (or you can use the Glen Onoko take out which cuts out 2 miles of mostly flatwater and Class II down to Thorpe).

A bike trail follows the river along an old railroad bed from Glen Onoko to White Haven as part of the state park, with bike rentals available locally. The river is administered by the PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources. There is a steep trail starting at the parking area at Glen Onoko that goes up to the top of a multi level water fall. The park administers access to the river as well as the bike trail. The eastern shore of the upper section borders Hickory Run state park, with some hiking trails down to the river. The whole White Haven to Thorpe area has a long history of coal mining and tourism. Water levels are dependent on the releases from the Francis Walters dam, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, planned weekend releases are usually announced on Wednesday and updated on Friday.

There is usually enough water for regular releases in the spring, thru the end of May. The Army Corps has modified the access road to the dam to allow the level to be raised during the spring, storing water for summer releases (approximately every other weekend). The release is usually shut off at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. These releases are sometimes canceled due to prolonged dry spells.