Seneca Creek

Larry Lempert, Mark Brenneman, Gary Steinberg

There are now two river wide strainers in the stretch alongside Whites Run Rd. (Rt.33/3). Not worth putting in above these in our opinion. One could put in below these near the intersection with Route 33 (aka Allegheny Dr.). But we recommend putting in below the next island (see below).

ALL the island channels before reaching the mouth had strainers requiring portages.

About a quarter mile after the intersection with Rt. 33 there is an island with all channels blocked by strainers. The island is just below a dilapidated hanging foot bridge. We suggest putting in from Rt. 33 below this island. Alternatively, it can be portaged on river right, about 100 yards through a grassy field. (However, we don’t know about any potential property owner issues.)

We had a moderate water level (Cabins gage was at about 1500 falling to 1400 during our run) everything was well padded but not too pushy. We think some of these strainers were likely put in place a few days prior when Cabins was running 3,000 cfs.

Be aware that there is a river wide strainer just upstream of the turnoff from WV state highway 55/33 to county road 33-3 (Whites Run Road, I believe it's called). It's not trivial to carry around it as it's in moving water with 6 to 8 foot vertical banks; most of our parties on April 22 - 24, 2008, chose to skip the top mile of the run and put in beneath this. This would be just downstream from the first pullout on the left as you drive upstream. There were a few minor strainers downstream of this, including one triple strainer; however, at least on our trips, all be reasonably negotiated without getting out of our boats.