Rocky Fork Creek, Ohio, US
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McCoppin Mill Rd (below Rocky Fk Lake Dam) to Paint Creek
| Usual Difficulty |
II (for normal flows) |
The Arch
The ArchPhoto of Susan Shultz by Tom Uhlman
Gauge Information
River Description
This lovely class I-II stream is a gem of central Ohio. The stream is mostly flat in the upper
stretches, but with swift current. Be on the lookout for strainers. I am not very familiar with
this upper stretch, as most boaters put on below.
If paddling the upper stretches, there is an old mill dam that must be portaged.
I believe it is just downstream of Barretts Mill Road, but check it out first from the
road!
The usual put in is on river left, just below the bridge on Browning Road. The landowner
(Highlands Nature Sanctuary) has been very kind and co-operative with paddlers, allowing them to
park on his property on the downstream side of the bridge. It is critical that
paddlers be considerate! Do not park on any cultivated land, don't block the
driveway or any cars and do not litter. Be as low key as possible. Such kindly land owners are
our best friends! Please leave as few vehicles here as possible as this area is frequently
used for hikes for patrons of the sanctuary. Permission can usually be gained to park here
at the office near the old 7 caves off cave road. Be aware that it's a privilege extended
to us to use this site and not a right.
From Browning road, the stream continues to be fast moving with small ripples. Many places exist
for the newer paddler to practice eddy turns and ferries, but again, be on the lookout for
strainers. Shortly after the put in there is a small ledge which can provide beginners with
surfing practice. After this ledge the gradient begins to pick up slightly and the scenery
changes from low banks and pasture land to higher banks and eventually limestone cliffs. In the
region of the 7 caves the cliffs are spectacular, rising sharply a hundred feet or more over the
river. Most folks won't believe they are still in Ohio. Bring a camera.
There are a couple of minor rapids leading into and out of this section where the beginner
paddler can practice surfing and other techniques, but the water through the most beautiful
section is flat, allowing for maximum appreciation of the beauty.
After the 7 caves area, the cliff receed and the stream starts to return to pastoral scenery.
Most new paddlers will take out on river right below the Rt 50 bridge. Again, be aware you are
crossing private land! More experienced paddlers will continue on to the Confluence with Paint
Creek a few hundred yards below, attempt the class II-III Paint Creek chutes and take out on the
primitive roadside rest area on Rt. 50. For details about Paint Creek, see Paint Creek Information
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-10-10 00:07:39
Editors
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
knew about the one at Barrett Mills, but was NOT expecting the one at OH 753. The portage at OH 753
was strenuous to say the least. I would recommend skipping the upper portion and putting in at
Barretts Mills as suggested by others on this page, thereby avoiding both dams. The interesting
scenery is all downstream of Barretts Mills anyway. I would also suggest getting input from the
folks at Rocky Fork State Park as to whether they are planning any water flow changes at the lake
dam in the time frame you are planning to paddle the creek. I watched the USGS gauge, it was
reading 600cfs when i left my house. In the hour that it took me to drive there, they had
apparently restricted the outflow from the lake, because the flow was down to less than 125 cfs.
This made for a rather slow bumpy trip. Final note: right before you reach the arch, there was a
brand new (leaves still green) strainer completely blocking the river left channel (only channel
available at low flow). A short portage was required on river right over and under a jumble of
logs. At higher flows, this jumble of logs would be blocking the river right channel, so the
portage might be a bit more challenging.
dam to portage. I'm not sure about the ownership, so be considerate, for all our sakes. Edit
clearly visible from about 50 yards upstream allowing plenty of time for action to be taken. The
river right channel has been blocked by debris for some time so this necessitates a portage at
higher water. Word has it that at minimum you can limbo under the log but at 400 cfs it's touching
the river surface or below the majority of the way across. There is a small eddy on the island just
above it to make a short portage but the water can be moving swiftly here so be careful. The area
under the log is mostly clear so it is possible to swim underneath it if you get blindsided by it.
Lake. I had always heard that for $50, any group could get together and get a release scheduled.
This is not true at all...or not any more at least. Here is the info that I got...<br>
<br>
The Nature Conservency owns the majority of the land throughout Rocky Fork Gorge. Due to some form
of mussles that are living in this stream, The Conservency does not want the lake releasing water
into what was originally a natural flow only streambed. So the two groups have worked together to
come to an agreement. There are three weekends per year that Rocky Fork will release water. If I
recall correctly, these dates are in March, May and October and are specifically for recreational
paddlers and beginner clinics through Outdoor Adventure Club in Dayton and a club out of Columbus.
There is no longer any way to obtain a special release. The remainder of the year, Rocky Fork runs
under natural flow only.<br>
<br>
This is a beautiful stretch of class I-II stream and is certainly worth the time and effort to
paddle it. Just dont expect much in the way of whitewater. The scenery is, at points, absolutely
breathtaking and is extremely unique to Ohio. Its great for beginners and the nice pools offer up
opportunities to work on obtaining a roll.<br>
<br>
Be sure to bring a camera on this stretch of stream...you will want it! And once you are off the
river, take the time to visit 7 caves and make a full day out of your trip into the farmlands of
Ohio....there is very little else around there other then Rocky Fork lake and Paint Creek lake
which are about 10 minutes apart.