Lehigh, PA

Gauge Information

River Description

Section of the Lehigh from the Francis Walters Dam to White Haven. Easier than the Upper (White Haven to Rockport) or the Lower (Rockport to Jim Thorpe). A popular fishing stretch, so you have to share the river.  The land on either side once you leave the immediate area of the dam is state park land, and boat launching or take-out is not allowed except at state park designated locations.

Put in Directions (to base of dam):

From Route 80 take the White Haven exit. Go North and drive all the way to the Stop sign at Rt. 940. Make a right onto Rt. 940 East and follow it into Whitehaven. Continuing on Rt. 940 East drive a few hundred feet down to Towanda Road and make a left. (If you crossed the RR tracks you just missed it) Follow Towanda Road all the way to the Francis Walter Dam. Make a right at the huge Francis Walter sign and drive down about 1/8 mile taking the first right, a small dirt road, (there are two portable toilets placed there) and follow that dirt road for about a mile until it ends. This is a good stretch for people moving up from Section III (Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstown) to Sections I and II (White Haven to Jim Thorpe). Lightly used (due to better water just downstream) it is usually left to fishermen enjoying some peace and quiet compared to the downstream rafting circus.

Generally, the Top Lehigh contains milder drops than the Upper, making it more suitable for true whitewater beginners.  (thx to sk for the description).