Blacklick Creek, S. Branch, Pennsylvania, US

SR 271 in Nanty Glo to Vintondale (S. Fork Blacklick)

S.B. Blacklick

S.B. Blacklick
Photo by Rand McFarland (KHCC) taken 01/18/10 @ 4.50 ft

Gauge Information

River Description

When the Blacklick @ Josephine hits 5.0' (1800cfs) the South Branch is the place to go. The prime section is tight, techincal and very busy. The reach breaks down into three parts. Part 1: If you putin at SR 271 in Nanty Glo you will have two miles of easy swift water though a pretty rhododendron and hemlock valley for a pleasant warm up (once you leave the levees of Nanty Glo behined). Part 2: The  whitewater begins after the first bridge at Twin Rocks. There is a good putin here with parking. The next 2.5 miles average a 70 ft/mi drop. The crick is pool drop, but the pools are short. Part 3: After the Rosebud mine bridge the crick eases up and is swift water for the next 2.5 miles to the takeout at the confluence of the North & South branches. I have yet to scout the takeout possibilities at this mine access bridge. There is constant coal truck traffic across it, and it may be private. I will obtain this information this Winter. It could enable multiple runs at the rare times when the crick is up.