A. Sheffield to
Lynch 9.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 7/8 Medium (233/426) A/A 2.8-??
Lynch Lynch
Topographic Maps: Sheffield, Lynch
County Maps: Warren, Forest
Description: This is an excellent open canoe stream if you can catch it up. The size is adequate to minimize problems with trees. The valley setting is very nice with highway and cottages mostly unobtrusive. This section is narrower and more winding than the section downstream. There is no access at the junction of the headwater branches and the 2 mile paddle from Sheffield on the West Branch is more enjoyable than the 0.5 mile trip from State Route 666 on the South Branch. [Reported 1999]
Difficulties: Possible trees.
Shuttle: The Sheffield put-in is on a side road near the junction of State Route 666 and State Route 948. Take out at the Lynch Gauge. An optional take-out is at the State Route 666 bridge in the valley for a 5.5 mile trip from Sheffield.
Gauges: Lynch. This gauge should read above 2.8 feet. This corresponds to a flow of 890 cfs. Check conditions at State Route 666 bridge in valley.
Normal Wet Period: The Lynch gauge is above 2.8 feet 12% of the time.
B. Lynch to
Kellettville 15.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 5/8 Medium
(233/426) A/A 2.1-??
Lynch Sheffield
Medium
(307/594) Mayburg
Topographic Maps: Lynch, Mayburg, Kellettville
County Maps: Forest
Description: This is an excellent open canoe run. The Tionesta shares a National Forest valley with State Route 666 throughout this run. The road, small villages and cabin groupings along its length are not visually obtrusive and road noise is minor. Occasional Class I rapids add to the interest. This is an excellent camping river with plenty of campsite possibilities. Fishing is reported as excellent with a healthy population of fresh water mussels. Property ownership is an unknown. Approaching Kellettville, paddlers will notice remnants of mid-1980's tornadoes that devastated forested areas in this region. This damage was very intense around Kellettville. Minister Creek Campground is about halfway between Lynch and Kellettville. It provides a convenient camp ground for those driving to the stream the night before a trip. [Checked 1999]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: State Route 666 follows alongside the stream for the entire length. One could choose from any number of put-in or take-out spots. There is a Forest Service pull-off about 1.4 miles north of Lynch.
Gauges: Sheffield. This gauge should read above 2.1 feet.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.
C. Kellettville to
Nebraska Bridge 11.4 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 7/7 Medium
(469/824) A-B/A 2.1-??
Nebraska Sheffield
Topographic Maps: Kellettville, Tylersburg, Tionesta
Description: This continues the excellent canoe camping, fishing, and general paddling stream from the upper reaches of the watershed. State Route 666 disappears from the valley at the put-in and the remaining secondary road is frequently unnoticed. Camping opportunities are many. The tornado damage in the first mile below Kellettville is impressive. Below here the stream enters the flood pool from Tionesta lake, but normal pool elevation leaves all but the last mile or so as free flowing stream. About 0.25 miles above the bridge on the right is a high overlook covered with pine trees. Turn right up a small stream just among the pines. Swimming is pleasant below the overlook.
There is a Corps of Engineers campground at Kellettville. [Checked 2004]
Difficulties: None
Shuttle: From the put-in in Kellettville go 2.5 miles northwest on State Route 666 to Whig Hill, turn left onto State Route 4004. Go 7.5 miles to Kiser Corners. Turn left onto State Route 3004, go 2.5 miles to Nebraska Bridge.
Gauges: Sheffield. This gauge should read above 2.1 feet.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.
D. Tionesta
Reservoir 5.5 miles
below Nebraska Bridge
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
A Lake Medium (469/824) A/A
Nebraska Tionesta
Dam
Medium
(479/891) Tionesta Creek Dam
Topographic Maps: Tionesta
County Maps: Forest
Description: Tionesta Reservoir offers enjoyable paddling in a relatively short, serpentine, shaded lake. About 1.5 miles below Nebraska Bridge the lake turns left with a grassy slope on the left shore and the reservoir opens up. Tionesta Dam is earth filled with the outlet in a tower on the right-hand shore away from the dam. One can paddle to the crest of the dam for a direct portage. From the base of the dam to the Allegheny River is an additional 1.0 mile. A pleasant canoe-camping trip may be had by putting in at the boat launching area of Tionesta Reservoir and paddling up Tionesta Creek a few miles to Nebraska Bridge. Beyond this bridge about 0.25 miles on the right is a high overlook covered with pine trees. Turn right up a small stream just among the pines. Swimming is pleasant below the overlook. [Reported 1988]
Difficulties: If you paddle to the junction with the Allegheny beware of the low head dam in the Allegheny River below the mouth of Tionesta Creek on the left side of the island.
Shuttle: To get to the put-in/take-out, head west out of Tionesta on State Route 4004. After about 4 miles turn right/south on State Route 3004. Nebraska Bridge is about 2.5 miles after this turn. If you want to haul over the dam and continue downstream, retrace your shuttle to Tionesta, and turn left/south on State Route 36. Go 0.3 miles until it crosses the creek, or make your selection from the Allegheny River descriptions.
Gauges: Tionesta Dam Outflow. This gauge would be meaningful for the mile of stream below the dam.
Normal Wet Period: None.