| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 2.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 83 fpm |
| Gauge | Youghiogheny River Near Oakland, Md |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 67 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 19, 2026 |
The Top Yough is a high quality but short section of whitewater. Its great for running a few laps on. This run is mostly Class III-IV but does have a few standout drops that raise the difficulty level. The run starts with a big slide and ledge, then transitions into boulder gardens. The action lets ups shortly before the Deep Creek Hydro Powerhouse and the takeout. This section is smaller and tighter then the Upper Yough, it doesn't handle high water as well as the Upper Yough.
Rapids of note:
Swallow Falls (IV+). This is the first rapid, a long slide into a hole. You don't want to go upside-down here, or your paddling clothing and/or skin might suffer. In addition, the hole can be a keeper at higher levels (~3.5'?). Though it looks intimidating, it's not that tough. Call it a Class IV.
Note: recently, a paddler sustained a back injury here. See this photo for a look at the piton rock which can cause injury.
Swallow Tail (IV+). This 6-foot riverwide ledge comes right after a large pool following Swallow Falls. A good read of the tongue and a few strong strokes should help you avoid some unintentional cartwheeling action. Call this a IV at low levels (less than 3.0?), because it's really a one-move pony; IV+ at higher water, because a successful run requires some precision.
Suck Hole(V). This a tough rapid, the drop is split into two parts, above the sieve and below. For years the sieve was well clogged up and benign, but now the sieve is open and has swallowed several boaters. The sieve is extra dangerous when there is debris stuck in the opening. The sieve drains the whole right side of the top section of the rapid. At low-medium flows boaters can enter the top part of the rapid right to left catch an eddy then stay left to avoid getting pushed towards the sieve. At higher flows th
...A variety of routes depending on water levels. The scouting rocks on river right are very slippery.
Note: There's a piton rock at the bottom of the slide. In 2012, this was the scene of a back injury. Check out this photo to see the rock at low water.
A big-ol' ledge drop. At higher levels, this can be sticky.
On the river left after Muddy Creek comes in is Best Boof in Maryland. There's a big boulder river left with a horizon line above it which is the boof. A good eddy is formed above it for lining up or giving a first timer beta. Aim for the slight mound, lining up a so you're pointing slightly right of the the boulder. As you get closer you'll see the flake.
Eddy hop down the left. Don't go into the sieve on the right, just below the big rock at the top that hides most of the rapid. This sieve has swallowed numerous boats over the years. It's especially dangerous when it's not jammed full of logs, bottles, tires, woodchucks, and other debris.
Lat/longitude coordinates are an educated SWAG, from Google Satellite Map.
Jul 19, 2026
I had a nice run in the Thrillseeker, flows were, 300 in Oakland, 480 at Swallow falls, and 615 at McHenry. Lots of water was coming from Muddy Creek. There is a new tree sticking up vertical in the sieve at Suck Hole.
Nov 30, 2017
Suck Hole at about 130 cfs with a few logs stuck in it. November 29, 2017 I was hiking not boating. You could probably scrape down at this level, but lower than most would be willing to run it.
Jan 2, 2017
The Hoyes Run gauge right near the takeout of the Top:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/uv?site\_no=03076100