Measuring waterways

djstone · 08-30-2021, 05:28 PM

Hello paddle people!

I have a question. Is there an app for measuring points on a river/creek? Tom and I paddled Tionesta Creek yesterday. I want to know how far it is from Nebraska Bridge down to the Tionesta Boat Launch on Tionesta Lake. I think this might be a nice trip for the club. The take out has lots of parking and restrooms!

Thanks,

Darla

KenM · 08-30-2021, 07:06 PM

approx. 4.2 - 4.3 miles

Google Map... use the measure tool and draw lines down the middle of river. The shorter the line segments the better accuracy.

Pre- "age of GPS" the river mileage was measured using a topo map with a string laid down the middle of the river. The string length was measured against the scale bar on the map. Really no different than using Google Map.

Sometimes you can find an old map with the mileage shown. Most of the new water trail maps have the river miles shown. River miles start at the end of a river or from the confluence with a larger river. To figure the mileage from point to point you have to do a little math.

---KenM

djstone · 08-30-2021, 07:23 PM

Thanks Ken! The string trick is really cool and it makes sense! I can't wait to try these out!

KenM · 08-31-2021, 07:41 AM

Another "tool" we used to use to find river mileage or hiking trail length was a measuring wheel. You rolled the little wheel down the "trail" and it read the distance in inches. Again, you compared that to the scale on the map. This was the "high tech" version of using a string.
map wheel.jpg

mfdanko99 · 08-31-2021, 11:29 AM

I like to use map my run. It allows you to make turns and follow the river on the map.

08-30-2021, 05:28 PM	#1
djstone Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Stoneboro, PA Posts: 61 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Measuring waterways Hello paddle people! I have a question. Is there an app for measuring points on a river/creek? Tom and I paddled Tionesta Creek yesterday. I want to know how far it is from Nebraska Bridge down to the Tionesta Boat Launch on Tionesta Lake. I think this might be a nice trip for the club. The take out has lots of parking and restrooms! Thanks, Darla

08-30-2021, 07:06 PM	#2
KenM Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Louisville Oh Posts: 389 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Basic river mileage approx. 4.2 - 4.3 miles Google Map... use the measure tool and draw lines down the middle of river. The shorter the line segments the better accuracy. Pre- "age of GPS" the river mileage was measured using a topo map with a string laid down the middle of the river. The string length was measured against the scale bar on the map. Really no different than using Google Map. Sometimes you can find an old map with the mileage shown. Most of the new water trail maps have the river miles shown. River miles start at the end of a river or from the confluence with a larger river. To figure the mileage from point to point you have to do a little math. ---KenM

08-31-2021, 07:41 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	Measuring wheel Another "tool" we used to use to find river mileage or hiking trail length was a measuring wheel. You rolled the little wheel down the "trail" and it read the distance in inches. Again, you compared that to the scale on the map. This was the "high tech" version of using a string. map wheel.jpg

08-31-2021, 11:29 AM	#5
mfdanko99 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Champion, OH Posts: 1,265 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	I like to use map my run. It allows you to make turns and follow the river on the map. __________________ Mahoning River-Home of the Trumbull Canoe Trails 1975-2024 49 years

08-30-2021, 07:23 PM	#3
djstone Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Stoneboro, PA Posts: 61 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Thanks Ken! The string trick is really cool and it makes sense! I can't wait to try these out!