Ashtabula River report

mfdanko99 · 09-06-2011, 07:13 AM

Friday the 2nd I did the Ashtabula river for the first time. It is a blast with some nice rapids and a true class 2 at low level and class 3 at high level.

I started at Green Hill road and finished at Stevens rd wich is also know as the Ford.
This section is about 5 miles. the start is nice and flat with little ripples, then at the first cover bridge there is a 1 foot drop that makes a fun rapid. There our about 3 of those on this section.

About half way threw there is a drop off about 4 to 5 feet, but the rocks are shaped so you can slide down them, there is no under toe at the bottem due to the way the rock a formed, it is all shale rock. I make it over that and did it once more for fun.

Then the best rapid is right after dewey rd. It is the true rapid with a 2 or 3 foot drop followed with a turn and a little rapid right after it.
I did this one about three times and loved it every time.

After that there are some nice little ripples to get wet in.
I did this in my 14 ft carolina with my spray skirt, if not I would have filled up several times.

Due to the drops I know this wouldn't be a good club run, but if anyone wants to do it let me know I am willing to go again.

Mike Danko

JPTolson · 09-06-2011, 09:09 AM

Sounds like a sweet stream, Mike, that I'd love to paddle sometime. How does it compare to Little Beaver in terms of difficulty at moderate levels? I don't see a USGS or NOAA gage on it. Did you happen to see a painted gage anywhere? How much water (inches/feet) above paddling zero do you estimate you had? Thanks for the report.

burrowsj · 09-06-2011, 11:07 AM

I would be interrested in some fall rapid fun. How was the water quality.

mfdanko99 · 09-06-2011, 12:08 PM

Like you said JP there is no water gauge but the conneaut was at 1 ft and the Grand River was reading 3.5 ft.

The Ashtabula reminded me a lot of grand river, do to the same landscape, Most of it is easier than the beaver creek, except the 4-5 foot drop and the rapid after dewey rd.

The water is very clean, but from talking to people who live around there it is best to do the river after a rain to be safe on enough water.
I was able to touch bottom the whole time with my paddle. The places I got out to scout the drops and rapids were knee high and waist high. The whole creek bottom is a slate type rock, never stepped in any mud.

I might be able to go sunday and I was thinking since we past ashtabula that on the way home some of us could do it.
The shuttle is very easy, as I used my bike on friday.
But for Kayakers or as JP says the darkside, bring your spray skirt because of the drops.
Mike

burrowsj · 09-06-2011, 03:20 PM

I can't do sunday. I'm bringing my nephew on the presque Isle trip and he isn't ready for a 5ft drop. I don't won't to cause him pain at least till the third trip.

09-06-2011, 07:13 AM	#1
mfdanko99 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Champion, OH Posts: 1,268 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Ashtabula River report Friday the 2nd I did the Ashtabula river for the first time. It is a blast with some nice rapids and a true class 2 at low level and class 3 at high level. I started at Green Hill road and finished at Stevens rd wich is also know as the Ford. This section is about 5 miles. the start is nice and flat with little ripples, then at the first cover bridge there is a 1 foot drop that makes a fun rapid. There our about 3 of those on this section. About half way threw there is a drop off about 4 to 5 feet, but the rocks are shaped so you can slide down them, there is no under toe at the bottem due to the way the rock a formed, it is all shale rock. I make it over that and did it once more for fun. Then the best rapid is right after dewey rd. It is the true rapid with a 2 or 3 foot drop followed with a turn and a little rapid right after it. I did this one about three times and loved it every time. After that there are some nice little ripples to get wet in. I did this in my 14 ft carolina with my spray skirt, if not I would have filled up several times. Due to the drops I know this wouldn't be a good club run, but if anyone wants to do it let me know I am willing to go again. Mike Danko Last edited by mfdanko99; 09-06-2011 at 07:16 AM.

09-06-2011, 09:09 AM	#2
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 902 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Sounds like a sweet stream, Mike, that I'd love to paddle sometime. How does it compare to Little Beaver in terms of difficulty at moderate levels? I don't see a USGS or NOAA gage on it. Did you happen to see a painted gage anywhere? How much water (inches/feet) above paddling zero do you estimate you had? Thanks for the report.

09-06-2011, 11:07 AM	#3
burrowsj Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Columbiana,oh Posts: 141 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	I would be interrested in some fall rapid fun. How was the water quality.

09-06-2011, 12:08 PM	#4
mfdanko99 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Champion, OH Posts: 1,268 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Like you said JP there is no water gauge but the conneaut was at 1 ft and the Grand River was reading 3.5 ft. The Ashtabula reminded me a lot of grand river, do to the same landscape, Most of it is easier than the beaver creek, except the 4-5 foot drop and the rapid after dewey rd. The water is very clean, but from talking to people who live around there it is best to do the river after a rain to be safe on enough water. I was able to touch bottom the whole time with my paddle. The places I got out to scout the drops and rapids were knee high and waist high. The whole creek bottom is a slate type rock, never stepped in any mud. I might be able to go sunday and I was thinking since we past ashtabula that on the way home some of us could do it. The shuttle is very easy, as I used my bike on friday. But for Kayakers or as JP says the darkside, bring your spray skirt because of the drops. Mike

09-06-2011, 03:20 PM	#5
burrowsj Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Columbiana,oh Posts: 141 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	I can't do sunday. I'm bringing my nephew on the presque Isle trip and he isn't ready for a 5ft drop. I don't won't to cause him pain at least till the third trip.