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Anderson Creek - US Rte 322 to W.Br. Susquehanna
Anderson Creek, Pennsylvania, US |
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US Rte 322 to W.Br. Susquehanna
| Usual Difficulty | II-III+ (for normal flows) |
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| Length | 12.2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 39 fpm |
Gauge Information
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinnemahoning Creek at Sinnemahoning, PA | ||||
| usgs-01543500 | 3500 - 30000 cfs | II-III+ | 01h11m | 1230 cfs (too low) |
| Clearfield Creek at Dimeling, PA | ||||
| usgs-01541500 | 1500 - 5000 cfs | II-III+ | 01h11m | 524 cfs (too low) |
River Description
There is a painted gauge located at the take-out bridge where route 879 crosses Anderson just
outside of Curwensville. The first line being the minimum and the third being the maximum. If
traveling check the USGS gauge for Clearfield Creek at Dimeling and Sinnemahoning at
Sinnemahoning. If if the are at 1200 CFS/3500 CFS and rising Anderson is probably runnable.<br
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There are two places to put-in on this run. The first is where route 322 crosses the creek just
before the town of Rockton. There is parking available on the left hand side just after the
bridge. As of 9/04, there were numerous strainers in the first (2) miles. Several of these were
on braided sections and were unavoidable. The more common put-in, is to take route 879 west to
Curwensville. About a mile past Curwenville you cross Anderson Creek. Just after the bridge make
a right. Follow this approx. (6) miles and make a right on township road 484 (Maclin Rd.) Do not
attempt to drive down this road, unless you have a four wheel drive vehicle. You will go down a
very steep rocky road, you will reach a clearing. Park here, and carry the rest of the way down
the road. You will reach an old railroad bed, at the railroad bed carry you boat down the bank to
the creek. <br />
There will be about a 1/2 mile of fast water to warm up on. There is a downed tree on this
section, it is runnable at the minimum level. At higher water you will have to carry it. After
the warm-up, the creek starts to tilt downward. There are several class 2(+) rapids, usually
where the creek makes one of its many sharp bends. After about 2.5 to 3 miles, there is a
runnable 4ft. dam on the creek, scout this if you are not familar with the creek. You can paddle
right up to the dam without being pulled over. There is a rock on the left-hand side and one near
the center. You can line up with the center boulder and boof off the side of it, to prevent being
pulled into the backflow. You can portage the dam on the right-hand side. The best of the
whitewater peaks after this dam, consisting of several class 2-3(+) rapids. There are two
strainers below the dam. Both were runnable at low flow, but will be portages at higher water.
The first is right after a small swimming hole, easily recognized by a stone dam. The second one
is about 3/4 of a mile from the end.
Editors
Rapid Descriptions
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. dam creek very intense. Too many Class III's to count.
years ago. This is an absolute gem of a white water stream. The first half had several downed trees
that needed portaged. Yes, it was a pain in the ass but the beauty of the area made up for it.
Still no Class III's but you still need to pay attention. Once you hit the splash dam it's balls to
the wall. This is NOT a beginners creek. You need the right experience and equipment. It's 4 miles
of Class III+. You will be exhausted and exhilarated when you reach the end. After the Dam there
are two places on left turns with a log on the right. The first one wrecked my partner (I portaged
around when I saw his wreckage), the second one we made it through but you need to paddle hard left
like your life depends on it. We hit 15mph through that chute (GPS Calculations) and that tree
could have been deadly. There's a small rock garden just beyond that would pulverize you. Do not be
complacent after the dam. Do not take beginners. However, this is a fun frickin' creek!! We hit it
at just the right level.
gated the road and posted the property leading up to the stream. The owner has a history of
arresting people for tresspassing. It appears that you will need to put in at Rockton to run
this...unless someone knows of an alternate put-in. The same guys did tell us that a kayaker walked
from the gate to the put-in but it appears to be a long walk.
with exception of a new one that fell recently that is 40 feet below the damn on the right. If you
drop the damn you will have to get far left or portage on the island and set in left. Also if you
are running the whole way to the susquehanna there are more strainers below 879. One is just after
the split if you take right just beyone 879. There are also 3 man made damns, all easily runnable
beyond here. River must be up to minumum level to run these. The two beyond the damn seem to have
changed postion and they are runnable with a little caution. This is a great fast run when the
water is up to level and if you dont mind a little hike for the set in. If you CHoose the Rockton
set in there are two strainers. First one is completely across a ledge on a narrowing(portage
right), second is completely across on a left bend(portage left). Both should be portaged though
the first could be done on absolute minumum levels if you duck and come up quick.There is a log
submerged immediately following the drop.
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US Rte 322 to W.Br. Susquehanna, Anderson Creek Pennsylvania, US (mobile)
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