Class Flat Action on the Schuylkill River
Trip Start
Mar 21, 2010
1
2
11
Trip End
Oct 17, 2010
Auburn, Pennsylvania
Friday, April 2, 2010
A friend of mine who paddles an open boat asked me to come along on the trip. He was bringing a friend who is relatively new to canoeing and swims alot. I think he wanted me there to help pick up the pieces after a swim.
I agreed because it was close to home and I had never run the Schuylkill. We met at 10:00 a.m. in Port Clinton by the playground, which is the takeout area. We then shuttled up to Auburn where we put in.
The Schuylkill looked very flat but it was running at a decent level, about 700 cfs, so we didn't scrape the whole way down the river. I have to say most of the float was very nice and somewhat scenic but there really wasn't much in the way of whitewater.
We came across a few downed trees which had to be skirted. The color of the Schuylkill looked much better than the West Branch of the Schuylkill due to the acid mine drainage problem in the county. Its good to see the river returning to a slightly healthier state.
Our trip was about 8-10 miles and incredibly leisurely. We saw the remnants of the old lock systems that used to be in place on the Schuylkill as well as some ducks and geese. We were attacked by another goose, this must be the time the year that they have babies.
Things Learned on the Schuylkill River:
1. Schuylkill River info: http://www.schuylkillriver.org/
