After two decades of working on Ohiopyle Falls access, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Parks contacted American Whitewater today with official notification granting additional boater access to Ohiopyle Falls starting August 22, 2010. The new guidelines are as follows:

First Year Private Boater Ohiopyle Falls Access Guidelines

1.    Prior to launching for each falls run, all boaters must register at the Lower Youghiogheny Launch Booth on SR 381.  A launch permit, governed by the private boater quota reservation system, is required during applicable periods.  
2.    Water Level must be 1.8 feet or below on the USGS Gage at the Lower Youghiogheny Launch in Ohiopyle.
3.    Using the Lower Youghiogheny Launch to take-out is prohibited.  Boaters running the falls must continue down river and take-out either at the Loop Take-Out on Ferncliff or Bruner Run Take-Out.
4.    For the first season, the Falls will be open for runs between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm from Sunday, August 22, 2010 through September 12, 2010: approximately 3 week launch window.  If access pilot continues into 2011 season, the launch window will run from second Saturday in May to second Sunday in September (corresponds to 7-days a week manned Lower Yough Launch Area Operations).  
5.    Access (put-in) will be from the river right shore only (Ferncliff side).  Access will be prohibited from the Falls Day-Use Area except during Falls Running Events governed by Special Activities Agreements.  When Double Rope Buoy Lines are fixed (typically Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend), access must be on the downstream side of the lines via Ferncliff Trail.  When Double Rope Buoy Lines are not fixed, access is permissible from approved upstream locations: Ferncliff Trail upstream to SR 381 Bridge/Middle Yough.
6.    Boaters are prohibited from running Ohiopyle Falls alone (solo boater/party of one).  Minimum group size is three boaters.  2nd or 3rd boaters do not have to run the falls and is/are included for the minimum group size for providing safety from shore (above or below) or boat (below) the falls.  
7.    Only single and double occupancy kayaks and canoes designed and fully outfitted for whitewater use are permissible.  Unguided Liveries/Rental Craft are prohibited. Rafts are prohibited. 
8.    Boaters may scout the falls from beyond the warning signs during open hours but must wear PFD and helmet at all times.
 

Remember: this is a pilot program. PLEASE abide by the above guidelines and DON'T mess this up for everyone.

Over the Falls Festival - August 21, 2010
Come join American Whitewater on August 21, 2010 as we celebrate our access achievement at this year’s Over the Falls Festival. Whitewater paddlers nationwide will gather there to race and perform freestyle moves over the spectacular eighteen-foot waterfall in the picturesque mountain village of Ohiopyle. Other event features include the Falls Under Lights, Town Party and with Live Music from Half Time String Band. The area also offers biking, hiking, camping, magnificent scenery, photographic opportunities, history and cultural activities. Please visit www.FallsRace.com for more information and registration details.

A brief history of a long project: Back in the mid 1980s boaters began running Ohiopyle Falls with some regularity at low water. The popularity of these illegal runs increased through the 90s as the skill and experience level of boaters increased. In 1999, the first American Whitewater Over the Falls Festival was held and permitted under a special activities permit issued by the state as an attempt to demonstrate that the Falls could be run safely. Ten years later, in the fall of 2008, a public meeting was held to float a pilot program for limited Falls access, it is unanimously supported by the boating community but the pilot goes nowhere. In the spring of 2010, the Borough of Ohiopyle Council adopts a resolution supporting limited Falls access for boaters. That resolution is supported by; Tim Mahoney, Pennsylvania State Representative, Mike Reese, Pennsylvania State Representative, Vince Zapotosky, Chairman, Fayette County Commissioners and Vincent A. Vicites, Vice Chairman, Fayette County Commissioners. With local political support, regular meetings take place with AW executive leadership and the Bureau Director leading to the pilot program announced today.

American Whitewater would like to recognize the leadership of John Hallas, the former Ohiopyle Park Manager from 2004 - 2010. John was recently promoted to PA State Parks Regional Manager. This pilot program is the result of collaborative negotiations over the last six months (and steady pressure over the last 20 years) between the Pennsylvania Bureau of Parks and American Whitewater.