Access Site
PA
River Access - Belltown
City: Heath Township, PA
County: Jefferson
Type: Whitewater Access
Location: 41.35734100, -79.03626500
Air Temp: --
Location
Interactive access map
Loads when you reach this section.
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
I(II)
Clarion River - 2. Portland Mills, PA to Cooksburg, PA
6 ft/mi
Current Conditions
--
• 300.00-10000.00 cfs
Clarion River at Cooksburg, PA
Whitewater Runs on Clarion River
2 runsDifficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I(II)
This location is on this run
2. Portland Mills, PA to Cooksburg, PA
34.0 mi
6 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (29.9 mi to put-in)
3. Piney Reservoir Dam to Foxview Rd at Alleghany River trail [mouth at Alleghany River]
26.0 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
River Access - Belltown provides access to the Clarion River, a large stream system in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. This whitewater access point is located in Heath Township and serves as a put-in or take-out for paddlers exploring this significant tributary. The Clarion River is a substantial waterway with an average flow of 2233 cubic feet per second and maintains an average velocity of 4.45 feet per second, indicating moderate current conditions typical of a large river system.
The river has a total gradient of 5.6 feet per mile on average, with approximately 576 feet of total elevation drop across its 102.61-mile length. These characteristics make the Clarion River suitable for intermediate paddlers familiar with moving water. The drainage area of 1249 square miles contributes consistent flow, though water levels can vary seasonally. Paddlers should be aware that this is a large river (Stream Order 6) with sustained current and the associated hazards of a major waterway.
Access at Belltown offers a starting or stopping point for multi-day or section paddling trips on the Clarion River. Paddlers planning to use this access should verify current water conditions and seasonal flow before launching, as larger river systems can have significant variations in difficulty and safety based on water levels and weather conditions.
The river has a total gradient of 5.6 feet per mile on average, with approximately 576 feet of total elevation drop across its 102.61-mile length. These characteristics make the Clarion River suitable for intermediate paddlers familiar with moving water. The drainage area of 1249 square miles contributes consistent flow, though water levels can vary seasonally. Paddlers should be aware that this is a large river (Stream Order 6) with sustained current and the associated hazards of a major waterway.
Access at Belltown offers a starting or stopping point for multi-day or section paddling trips on the Clarion River. Paddlers planning to use this access should verify current water conditions and seasonal flow before launching, as larger river systems can have significant variations in difficulty and safety based on water levels and weather conditions.