User:Drop001

Running the Lehigh River. The Lehigh River is divided into three sections. On each section there are designated sections where one can put in and take out their boat. Section 1 (upper 9) runs from White Haven (underneath route 80) to Rockport. Section 2 (lower) runs from Rockport to Jim Thorpe. (Many boaters take out in Glen Onoko to avoid the 2 miles of flat-water to Jim Thorpe.  Section 3 (summer float) Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstowns.

Section 1) this section is located within the Lehigh state park. This is scenic whitewater section with many zig zag turns and rocks that individuals need to pay attention to when navigating this area.  It is a beautiful run with a lot of historical remains to be seen along the river banks.  The Lehigh River was a major coal transportation route. To make this area able to be navigated, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company built many locks and dams which allowed barges containing coal to run on this whitewater section.  The locks and dams can still be seen and need to be avoided while on the river. This river section makes for great whitewater rafting and kayaking. This section has a level 3 rating depending on water levels by the international whitewater scale.

1) Initiation mile 0.3 (Class III) - This is the first rapid and it will be a good indicator as to whether you are ready for the larger rapids ahead. You will need to go left of the bridge pillar and then go down the middle of this section to avoid the rocks.  The rapid takes a small bend just below the bridge pillar and Linesville creek comes into this section on the right side of the river. Linesville Creek was the original name for the town Whitehaven.  Follow the current for the next stretch as you go down the center trying to avoid the rocks. You can see the remains of the old Lock below the bridge on the right.

2) Tannery mile 0.8 (Class II)- Coming into this rapid you will see an island I the middle of the river.  You will want to go left for the first section of this rapid to avoid rocks. Once you see the bridge across the river you will need to start heading to the right to avoid the island scattered rocks on the left above the bridge.  Below the bridge there are rocks on the right and lower water which will require you to make sure you stay in the center of the river. You will then reach a stretch of flat-water.  *It is important that you are very courteous to the fisherman in this stretch. This is a very popular spot for fisherman and since it is a state park you will need to be respectful or you can get thrown out by the rangers. This rapid runs through the town of Tannery which got its name from the old tanning station. This tanning stations was once the second largest tannery in the United States.
 * emergency access point.

3) Triple Drop mile 1.2 (Class III) - When approaching this rapid you will see a big island (Maple Island) in the center of the river. You can run the river either left or right of the island. The right side is the less technical line and used often at high water.  If you are adventurous you will want to go to the left side of the island.   In the middle of the left channel of the river is a wide hydraulic.  When you see a horizon line you know you are there.  Take the drop on the right side of the hydraulic. You will need to carry speed over and hit a strong boof stroke.  This hydraulic at normal flow can still give a novice boater a run for their money. If you are not an expert white water boat rider you should not attempt this drop at high flows.  Many boaters have suffered from a dislocated shoulder when getting into the surf during high waters.  While there is a tongue left of center this turns into a big hole that can be hard to punch without hitting the tongue. After triple drop you can relax because the next stretch is a lot of flat water. Stay to the right as you go toward the Three Pillars which was once the old railroad bridge. Hayes Creek will come in on the left.

4) Z mile 2 (Class II) -  Coming up to this rapid you will see another island.  You have the choice of going to the left or the right of the island.  The left is where this rapid got the name of Z mile.  It is a left turn to a hard right turn with all the water pushing you towards a big inhaling rock.  This side of the rapid is in the shape of a “Z”.   The right side is usually run more when the water level is higher. When running this side you will want to avoid the mega strainer on the other side of the rock. Another thing to note is that at high water the pinball rock turns into Percolator, which is a huge raft flipping hole. Try to avoid this area.

5) Lunch Rock mile 2.5 (Class II) – When approaching this area you will be able to see the huge exposed rock shelf on the left side of the river. As you approach this it will become shallow on left, To avoid getting caught up on the rocks you will need to stay right of center. ? until close. This is a very popular lunch spot and is about the halfway point of the run.  You can see the big eddy line which stretches across the river from rocks.  It makes for good practice doing eddy turns or squirts.  Watch for possible swimmers going from the top of the eddy line to the bottom of the rocks.   Below the rocks before the next rapid on the right is a big rock cliff called Tom Turke or the Diving Rock.  This is a popular area for kayakers who are brave enough to drop of the ledge and dive their boats into the water.

6) No Way Rapid mile 3 (Class III) - This is one of the more challenging rapids. The name is appropriate because for most rafters it contains a very hard to hit shoot. For most boaters it may seem like there is no way to navigate this section easily. Coming into this rapid you can go to the right or to the left of the first island.  People have their own preferences on running this area.  After the island the first major obstacle is pyramid rock.  It looks like a pyramid with water flowing over it.  Rafters do not want to hit this rock or it will result in the pinning of your boat on the rock.  Avoid the rock by navigating either to the left or right of it. Continuing down the river you should stay mainly left of center until you come upon the chute.  For first time boaters it will be challenging to navigate through “NO Way Chute”. It is in your best interest especially if you are in a raft to know where this is located. You need to make sure that during high water you stay away from the strainer on both sides of the river at top of the island. Getting caught in this can result in a bad day and long swim through no way.

7) Staircase mile 4.5 (Class III) - This rapid is safer to run if you stay on the left and then make your way to the right side of the river. You will want to stay to the right but not so far right that you run into the metal and cement undercut at the bottom of this stretch.  The cement undercut has a sharp spike that can put a hole in a raft or even a plastic kayak.

8) Ledges mile 5.5(Class II) – First you will go through a flat water section after Staircase before arriving upon this rapid. You will see Leslie Run coming in on the right.  This can be used as an emergency access point.  This rapid gets its name because right below Leslie Run there are a couple of ledges that create surf waves that go from one side of the river to the other.  At the right water level you can surf from one side of the river to the other.  You will come around a bend where the second popular lunch stop is on the left side of the river. This is a very popular site for boater because it is by the good play wave called Second Lunch.

9) Mud Run mile 7(Class III) - This section takes a bend to the right in the river and you will want to follow this rapid down the middle. You will then come up on the confluence of Mud Run on the left where the rapid gets its name.  Another play hole is just below the confluence call “Beaver Hole”.  10) Second Chance mile 7.5 (Class III) - You will need to run this rapid down the middle of the river under the power lines that go across the river. The river will take a turn to the right. There is a very big hole call “Second Chance” after the right turn. On the right side of the hole is a big group of rocks. You will need to go left and into the hole to avoid them. Do not attempt to go through this hole at high water unless you are an experienced whitewater boat rider. This hole can surf raft, kayaks and people at high flow.

11) Larry, Culry, and Mo mile 8 (Class II)- These are small riffling rapids that you can follow down the middle of the river.

12) Wilhoyt’s mile 8.5 (Class III) - You will want to run this rapid on the left side of the river about 25 feet away from the shore. In the middle of the river you will see a huge rock (Wilhoyt’s). You will need to pass just to the left of the rock and right of the rocks sticking out from shore. Take out Rockport mile 9- Continue about .5 miles on the right until you see a set of stairs on the right shoreline.  This is your take out. Try not to miss it.  If you miss the output it is another 12 miles until the next one!!!