Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek

KenM · 05-03-2019, 09:21 AM

Ref: Grimms gage 5-26-18 12 noon was 3.49 ft (368 cfs).

On 5-24-18 12 noon (when I scouted) Grimms gage was 589 (3.99 ft) and declining slowly. Middle Fork was low but looked doable in small boats.

Tough to judge level from the Grimms gage as it's so far downstream.
P1030525.jpg

JPTolson · 05-03-2019, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenM

Tough to judge level from the Grimms gage as it's so far downstream.
Attachment 193

For this reason it would be useful to have a painted gage on the bridge abutment at Teegarden.

JPTolson · 05-06-2019, 08:59 PM

The Columbiana County Park District has changed the time for the trip from Teegarden to Lisbon on the Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek this Saturday, May 11th. Below is taken from the district's Facebook page earlier this evening (May 6th):

Saturday's Canoe/Kayak Trip Will Start at 9 a.m., not 8 a.m. But note, this trip depends on the weather and creek level. I will post on Friday night to let everyone know if it's on.

KenM · 05-07-2019, 08:55 AM

Thanks for update. I can NOT see any such update even if logged in.

Grimms gage was 4.14 ft at 9 am (Tu) and dropping about 2" a day. Might be some showers/thunderstorms Thursday? I'd guess that 4.0 ft would be the absolute lowest for small boats (with some walking on gravel bars) but as we keep saying... the gage downstream is too far away and un-reliable for this section.

I would suggest that JP go down to Teagarden about 6am Sat and measure how high up on his ANKLE the water is.

Oh...while you're painting marks on the bridge, maybe you could install a webcam ? That would be handy.

JPTolson · 05-07-2019, 09:06 AM

Based on the FB message, it appears that there is a trip leader. However, his or her identity remains a mystery. Below is the link to the park district page. Scroll down the page a bit to see the update on trip starting time.

https://www.facebook.com/CCParkDistrict/

Don't count on a 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning scouting report

. But I will post anything I see from the park district on Friday evening.

JPTolson · 05-09-2019, 08:28 AM

Yesterday (5/8/19) I scouted the low-water bridge immediately downstream of the Route 164 bridge over the Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek in Lisbon. The low-water bridge is NOT EASILY VISIBLE from the Route 164 bridge. So I pulled into the business on river left and, with permission of one of the employees, walked down to the bridge and to the creek beneath. The employee stressed NOT to drive across the bridge because its condition is questionable.

Little Beaver was running 3.99 on the gage at Grimm's Bridge, and I estimate there was six feet of clearance from the water to the bottom of the bridge. There was an eddy immediately upriver of the bridge on both sides of the creek. The eddy on river right would probably remain with an increase of a foot or two in the water level. The one on river left might wash out. The current was moderately swift. Assuming that the clearance will change in direct proportion to the river level gage reading (and that may not be a valid assumption), clearance would be approximately five feet with a river level of 5.0, four feet with a level of 6.0, three feet with a level of 7.0 etc.

There was also a piece of wood sticking out about four feet from the bridge structure on river right, about one to two feet beneath the bottom of the bridge. So steer clear of it.

It would be possible to carry around the bridge if necessary from the eddy on river right, though putting back in will be a bit rough and steep. The bank is cemented for dozens of yards down river from the bridge with a very rough aggregate.

The moral of the story is to be aware and, if possible, to scout the bridge before putting on the river, especially if the water is above 5 feet and rising. Having good boat control for a quick eddy turn, if necessary, will also be helpful.

mfdanko99 · 05-10-2019, 03:30 PM

I talked to Ron today he scouted about a mile hike on the creek he found three to four portage's in the first mile of the trip because of that he is not going to paddle I also will not be paddling as I am fighting bronchitis this week

Greyhounds2 · 05-10-2019, 04:19 PM

Mark and I are planning on coming if the creek conditions are acceptable. Let us know what time we are meeting. I'm really not familiar with the Teegarden Bridge but I'll google it. We did a section of the Little Beaver from Lusk Lock to the Pioneer Village in the park and it was a walk through the rocks and took us forever. It was quite beautiful with lots of wildlife probably laughing at us dragging our kayaks.

Kathy and Mark

JPTolson · 05-10-2019, 04:49 PM

Keep in mind that this is a trip sponsored by the Columbiana County Park District, not Trumbull Canoe Trails. So the park district is making the call on the trip. They are supposed to post something on their Facebook page tonight. I will try to post anything here that the park district posts of Facebook.

Late this afternoon (5/10) the gage is reading 5.22 and rising. Anyone who goes on the trip would be wise to scout the creek underneath the low water bridge just downriver from the Route 164 bridge or ask the trip leader for a report on it.

suram · 05-18-2019, 08:59 PM

Wow! Just saw this discussion and read about Erin's adventure last year- pretty damn scary hope she's doing better now!

05-03-2019, 09:21 AM	#1
KenM Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Louisville Oh Posts: 389 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Grimms gage 5-26-18 12 noon 3.49 ft (368 cfs) Ref: Grimms gage 5-26-18 12 noon was 3.49 ft (368 cfs). On 5-24-18 12 noon (when I scouted) Grimms gage was 589 (3.99 ft) and declining slowly. Middle Fork was low but looked doable in small boats. Tough to judge level from the Grimms gage as it's so far downstream. P1030525.jpg

05-06-2019, 08:59 PM	#3
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 904 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Change in meeting time The Columbiana County Park District has changed the time for the trip from Teegarden to Lisbon on the Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek this Saturday, May 11th. Below is taken from the district's Facebook page earlier this evening (May 6th): Saturday's Canoe/Kayak Trip Will Start at 9 a.m., not 8 a.m. But note, this trip depends on the weather and creek level. I will post on Friday night to let everyone know if it's on.

05-07-2019, 08:55 AM	#4
KenM Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Louisville Oh Posts: 389 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	9am Tuesday Thanks for update. I can NOT see any such update even if logged in. Grimms gage was 4.14 ft at 9 am (Tu) and dropping about 2" a day. Might be some showers/thunderstorms Thursday? I'd guess that 4.0 ft would be the absolute lowest for small boats (with some walking on gravel bars) but as we keep saying... the gage downstream is too far away and un-reliable for this section. I would suggest that JP go down to Teagarden about 6am Sat and measure how high up on his ANKLE the water is. Oh...while you're painting marks on the bridge, maybe you could install a webcam ? That would be handy.

05-07-2019, 09:06 AM	#5
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 904 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Based on the FB message, it appears that there is a trip leader. However, his or her identity remains a mystery. Below is the link to the park district page. Scroll down the page a bit to see the update on trip starting time. https://www.facebook.com/CCParkDistrict/ Don't count on a 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning scouting report. But I will post anything I see from the park district on Friday evening. Last edited by JPTolson; 05-07-2019 at 09:10 AM.

05-09-2019, 08:28 AM	#6
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 904 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Yesterday (5/8/19) I scouted the low-water bridge immediately downstream of the Route 164 bridge over the Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek in Lisbon. The low-water bridge is NOT EASILY VISIBLE from the Route 164 bridge. So I pulled into the business on river left and, with permission of one of the employees, walked down to the bridge and to the creek beneath. The employee stressed NOT to drive across the bridge because its condition is questionable. Little Beaver was running 3.99 on the gage at Grimm's Bridge, and I estimate there was six feet of clearance from the water to the bottom of the bridge. There was an eddy immediately upriver of the bridge on both sides of the creek. The eddy on river right would probably remain with an increase of a foot or two in the water level. The one on river left might wash out. The current was moderately swift. Assuming that the clearance will change in direct proportion to the river level gage reading (and that may not be a valid assumption), clearance would be approximately five feet with a river level of 5.0, four feet with a level of 6.0, three feet with a level of 7.0 etc. There was also a piece of wood sticking out about four feet from the bridge structure on river right, about one to two feet beneath the bottom of the bridge. So steer clear of it. It would be possible to carry around the bridge if necessary from the eddy on river right, though putting back in will be a bit rough and steep. The bank is cemented for dozens of yards down river from the bridge with a very rough aggregate. The moral of the story is to be aware and, if possible, to scout the bridge before putting on the river, especially if the water is above 5 feet and rising. Having good boat control for a quick eddy turn, if necessary, will also be helpful. Last edited by JPTolson; 05-09-2019 at 04:03 PM.

05-10-2019, 03:30 PM	#7
mfdanko99 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Champion, OH Posts: 1,276 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	I talked to Ron today he scouted about a mile hike on the creek he found three to four portage's in the first mile of the trip because of that he is not going to paddle I also will not be paddling as I am fighting bronchitis this week __________________ Mahoning River-Home of the Trumbull Canoe Trails 1975-2024 49 years Last edited by mfdanko99; 05-10-2019 at 03:35 PM.

05-10-2019, 04:19 PM	#8
Greyhounds2 Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hanover Twp., PA Posts: 45 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Mark and I are planning on coming if the creek conditions are acceptable. Let us know what time we are meeting. I'm really not familiar with the Teegarden Bridge but I'll google it. We did a section of the Little Beaver from Lusk Lock to the Pioneer Village in the park and it was a walk through the rocks and took us forever. It was quite beautiful with lots of wildlife probably laughing at us dragging our kayaks. Kathy and Mark

05-10-2019, 04:49 PM	#9
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 904 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Keep in mind that this is a trip sponsored by the Columbiana County Park District, not Trumbull Canoe Trails. So the park district is making the call on the trip. They are supposed to post something on their Facebook page tonight. I will try to post anything here that the park district posts of Facebook. Late this afternoon (5/10) the gage is reading 5.22 and rising. Anyone who goes on the trip would be wise to scout the creek underneath the low water bridge just downriver from the Route 164 bridge or ask the trip leader for a report on it. Last edited by JPTolson; 05-10-2019 at 04:51 PM.

05-18-2019, 08:59 PM	#10
suram Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 157 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Wow! Just saw this discussion and read about Erin's adventure last year- pretty damn scary hope she's doing better now!