Jacobs

2006

Chaintown to mouth of Youghiogheny

Put-in: river right pull-off where new bridge crosses stream
Take-out: river right pull-off near a pier on river left that is used as a gauge by counting blocks.
This is above the mouth of the Yough at the town of Jacobs Creek

7.1 Miles?

Class II (IV) Due to 15 ft Waterfall

Avg Gradient: 34 fpm
Max Gradient: 41 fpm

Gauge: Laurel Hill Creek at Ursina &
Old Bridge Pier at Take-out

6/28/2006
Level: 2.48 ft, 859 cfs
8 Blocks Showing on Pier at Take-out
Craft: OC-1

3 ft, 1500 cfs on Laurel Hill gauge and 7 blocks showing on pier at take-out would be a better level.

Class II with a 15' waterfall. At this level catching the river left eddy above the falls was not very difficult. This was a good place to scout the falls. While scouting we watched locals jump off the rocks. One of them landed a little too close for comfort. The line above the falls was a Class II S-turn with a small hole then a rock to avoid at the lip. Dan had a good run over the falls in a 16 foot Old Town Kennebec. However, he hit the yoke a little hard. Later told me he bruised his mid-section. I made the portage down the left side without much problem. Below the falls water was scarce. Way too low for an enjoyable run. A few downed trees had to be avoided. Since the flow was slow, we did not have to get out of our boats. As we got closer to the take-out, shallow shoals became tiresome. Would not consider running the creek this low again. However, if running at a low level, an alternate take-out may be made further upstream.

2004

Chaintown to mouth of Youghiogheny

7.1 Miles?

Class II (IV) Due to 15 ft Waterfall

Avg Gradient: 34 fpm
Max Gradient: 41 fpm

Gauge: Laurel Hill Creek at Ursina &
Old Bridge Pier at Take-out

April 2004
Level: 4000 cfs
Craft: OC-1

This run starts out flat and flowing for about 1-2 miles. When the first rapids are reached the waterfall is near. Be sure to have an eddy in sight at all times. Near a railroad bridge there is a good rapid that has an eddy on the left directly above the falls. At reasonable levels it is possible to get out here and scout or portage down the left side. At high flows, it may be a gamble reaching this eddy.

Ran this for the first time in April 2004. Laurel Hill Creek was at 4000 cfs. We eddied out on river right after reaching the first set of rapids. After walking up to the tracks and back down to the falls, we decided to take a long, grueling portage. This was due to large waves and risk of missing a last chance eddy. Running the violent waterfall was not an option. The attempt to put in below the falls was renegotiated after seeing two stout trees nearly crossing the stream above a huge, river-wide wave. A ferry may have been sketchy around this obstacle due to the high velocity of the stream. Due to lost time and a late start, we had to hurry down the rest of this run dodging holes and strainers with limited daylight. After proceeding left of an island, Dan yelled "tree." We both had to make fast and jump out on the island. This large tree was not passable by any means. The end of the run became less difficult as we approached the take-out in the dark.

DAN, HOW ABOUT SOME PICTURES OF THE WATERFALL ALREADY!