Reedsville (322 Overpass) to Kish Pike Bridge (APM True Value)

Kish Creek is a nice stream for beginners to intermediates. It's close proximity to Lewistown and State College, and it's urban setting make it a favorite "after work" run when the water levels are up. Compared to other central PA streams, it's a step up from Spring Creek (Bellefonte, PA) and the Little Juniata (Tyrone, PA), and has a couple of steeper and longer drops than the Red Moshannon (Moshannon, PA). It also has some good smaller features for working on ferries, peel outs, eddy turns, and surfing. While the creek can be run at levels well below 4.0', some shallow shoals show up in certain places, so most whitewater boaters look for the gauge to be 4.0' or higher. Be mindful of high water levels. There is a railroad bridge in Yeagertown that has low clearance at normal runnable levels. Above 6.5', this bridge would be hard to clear. It also tends to collect wood at times. For the most part the stream is slow with low gradient riffles and waves. From 4.4-5.3 feet, there are some great surf waves. The most notable rapid on this creek is about a 1 mile below the put-in in the middle of Manns Narrows, below old and new US-322 bridges. Manns Narrows rapids stretch for about a quarter mile. Below these rapids, there is a nice pool. On the river right, there is a trail that you can walk up and lap this rapid. About 3 miles into the trip there is a 5 foot low-head dam. Portaging this is the smart thing to do (an experienced whitewater canoeist died here a few years ago along with some swimmers having a good time). You'll know you're coming up on it when the Standard Steel plant creates a brick wall on river left side of the river, the creek becomes a slow moving pool, you start to see signs hanging over the river, and also the water dissappears behind the even horizion. Further downstream it's smooth sailing with one last good surf wave at Triple Drop to any desired take out. Most boaters typically take out at the Kish Pike bridge next to APM True Value. There are a few gravel pull offs on both sides of the road on river right of the bridge. You can also take out at Kish Park, just 0.5 miles upstream on river right. Each spring in late April or early May, if water levesl cooperate, Manns Narrows plays host to the Kish Creek Slalom Race organized by Mach One Slalom Team. Temporary gates are hung throughout the rapid for racers to navigate.