Mahoning and Beaver Rivers, May 15th

[JPTolson]

Tom Smith, one of the leaders for the trip on the Mahoning and Beaver Rivers, asked me to post the following:


We're going to do a scouting trip (check for strainers and whatnot) Thursday May 12th. We're meeting at the launch site at 4. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome.
Forecast for Sunday is 38% chance of rain. We will post here on Saturday if the paddle needs canceled for weather or gauge height.

"Covert to Wampum"

Trip Leaders-Tom Smith, Kristin Barto Pacak

When-Sunday May 15th 2022
Where-New Castle, PA

Launch spot - McKinney Russell Boat Access Area
Take out - Bevington Boat Access Area

Time - 10:00 am
Distance - 10 miles
Rapids - Class 1

This is the trip everyone calls "Covert to Wampum". The launch site is called McKinney Russell Boat Access Area, and the take out is called Bevington Boat Access Area. Good to know if you get lost and need Google to help.

We will meet at the launch site at about 10:00 am, (some of us will be there early to help unload) drop boats and gear, then hopefully shuttle by 10:15-10:30. Shuttle time is about a half hour. (15 minutes down, 15 minutes back.)

This is the section of the Mahoning River that turns into the Beaver River. Paddle time varies based on water level but usually about 3 hrs when you factor in about a half hour for lunch. We will stop at Shaw Island to eat lunch as it is about half way through and a good sized island.

Towards the end of the trip there is a blue heron rookery river left in the top of about three sycamore trees. Last year we paddled May 16th and the foliage allowed us to see all of them on nest. There must have been about 30 of them.