Pine Creek (Allegheny R. trib.)

Kayaked from below North Park spillway to Route 8 Burger King above the falls. Rained the day before. Was still low but runnable, scraped only a few times. Down trees and strainers in the first 1/2 mile or so. Some need to be portaged. Depending on water level you may be able to go over or under the down trees later on. A few class 2 sections with small waterfalls by Wildwood Highlands, Fall Run, and Glenshaw Glass. Lots of trash and pollution towards the end; kind of gross, but whatever. Took out above the Burger King Falls. The falls maybe runnable at certain water levels, but scouting is a must! Looks to be class 4+. May be underwater hazards. Unless you are an expert; I highly recommend portaging the Burger King falls if you want to continue to the river. Overall it was a fun paddle.

Reference gauge should be 03049807 'Pine Creek at Grant Ave.' Run with open canoe on 6/17/09 from North Park Lake ( a mile or two above Allison Park) to Etna. Gauge = 6.11 -> 5.63 (317 -> 210 cfs). Good except several strainers first half. Class I except Class II chute past first bridge after creek crosses back under Route 8 to west side around a bend to the left with a rough concrete left bank slope. rpovirk@Comcast.net