Cowanshannock Creek

After getting a few runs in on this it seems a 'normal' runnable range on the correlation Little Mahoning gauge is about 400-1000cfs. Below 400 starts to get scrapy and above 1000 it is still plenty runnable but the rapids start to change. As mentioned in below post the easiest way to run this is the last mile which has majority of the rapids and there is a parking lot near buttermilk falls (Putin) that is just a short quarter mile hike away which makes it lapable. There is a creek-wide strainer about a half mile from the takeout which is a portage on left or right most of the time. Above 1000cfs it may be runnable, but scout and run it with caution if you so choose. However, this run is certainly a step up from slippery Rock Creek, I would not say it is a solid IV below 600cfs but as you approach 1000cfs or above this could be considered in the realm of IV with some must make tight moves, possible strainers/pinning potential, and run becomes very continuous around 800cfs and above.

Here's the finish of a beautiful pry stroke to position my boat just to the left of a rock.

The flatwater above the first rapids is about 2 miles long from the Rt 66 bridge. It is extremely beautiful though and I didn't encounter any tree portages in that area.

The character of Cowanshannock is very different above and below Buttermilk Falls. Simple ledges with big holes give way to very technical rock gardens.

Enjoying a perfect water level on Cowanshannock.

Smooth run on the right line. It was a nice little ride with a zig zag route and caught the eddy on the far right at the end of the rapid.

The first major rapid on the creek from where we put in, known as buttermilk falls. This is the right line of the falls. Nice, clean rapid with small pool afterwards. The creek itself is absolutely beautiful. Picture taken on 11/17/11

You need to be sure to look out for wood on this run... It looks like it can tend to pile up at the bridge especially

Just below the bridge

Buttermilk Falls

Towards the end of the run, nice bolder garden...

Just ran the Cowanshannock for the first time today, actually got two laps in. I was pleasantly surprised with the run. It had a nice creeky feel with plenty of different lines to take. Although it is not that long of a run, the rapids are very continuous and it has some nice gradient. My one comment that I would like to make is regarding the shuttle. Because this is a short run, its worth doing some laps, but instead of driving all the way up near 66, behind the mini mart area, you can just drive up to where the iron bridge (that is gated off) crosses the creek and park there. There is a little campsite here and I don't know how much it gets used, but from here it is only a short walk upstream (river right) side of the creek via bike trail to Buttermilk Falls. Today we just walked up above Buttermilk Falls and put in on river right. You do miss a couple of little rapids/ waves to surf but it definitely beats driving all the way up to float all the flatwater. It really cut down on the shuttle time and made running laps much easier and quicker.

Also, there was some wood in the creek, we didn't have to portage anything but just wanted to advise anyone doing this creek that there are blind turns and you do need to make sure that these are clear of wood.