RICKA Flatwater

RICKA Flatwater
[ RICKA Flatwater ]

what a day!

Posted by Ken on 5/22/2007, 5:40 pm
72.209.37.248

My friend and I ran the Clear River from the Harrisville falls to the old mill in Oakland which I belive turns into the Branch river. What a great day! This was my first down river experience! Had to make one portage around the area of the high school. We both did not feel to good about this one drop off in 12' yaks . Looks like we would get hung up, so better safe then sorry. Took about 1 1/2 hours.
Next Wed am we are going to try it all the way to the Slatersville res.
Does anyone know of any problems further down stream from the mill to be aware of in a 12' yak
We can see that we will need to portage around the dam at the mill and from doing a google map search looks to be maybe two other place that we will need to go around.
Thanks,
Ken

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Branch River

Posted by Erik on 5/23/2007, 3:56 am, in reply to "what a day!"
72.192.43.109

There are two dams that need to be portaged on the right. There are also two class II rapids that you can carry around. I think the drop you are talking about a little ways below Harrisville is called the Whipple drop. There is another section with a lot of rocks to dodge. This was the site of the RICKA Whitewater Race for many years - now discontinued.
Small group of us did the Branch River last Memorial Day - fun trip. Nice warm day, water level wasn't too bad. There are some pictures here:
Memorial Day on the Branch
Another group of us did the Branch this year on the third weekend in March - the traditional date for the old RICKA whitewater race. There was snow on the ground and it was so cold that the battery in my camera only lasted about an hour.
Branch River Ice Breaker
We usually take out on Nasonville Road behind the Gus’ Red Tavern to avoid the reservoir. Good luck - be careful.

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