Conneaut Creek is an Ohio Wild & Scenic River
Water Level Gauge
Tucked away in the far northeastern corner of the state lies Conneaut Creek. With a drainage basin of only 19 square miles (all but 40 of which are in Pennsylvania), the Conneaut is definitely a seasonal stream. In fact, mean flow levels in the Conneaut basin drop below 30 cubic feet per second (cfs) for two months in a typical year. However, from ice-out through May and after heavy summer rains, this stream affords very pleasant Class I+ paddling.
Like other streams along the eastern lakeshore, the Conneaut has cut deeply into the glaciated plateau in its search for lake level. This ongoing process has left the Conneaut in a narrow, sharply defined valley with sides covered alternately by hardwoods and conifers.
AWA Desciption
Beginning at the first access at Farnham Park, the Conneaut averages about 40 feet in width with many riffles and bars along its rocky gravel bottom. The gradient is relatively constant as the stream drops and turns against sharply cut shale banks, funnels between gravel bars that sometimes constrict the channel to 10-15 feet, and occasionally meanders into wide, sunny openings.
Like other streams in Ashtabula County, the Conneaut has its share of covered bridges. Short hikes up feeder streams often reveal pretty waterfalls where these tiny branches cascade down the Conneaut''s surrounding slopes.
Hazards of the Conneaut are limited to infrequent strainers and sweepers, and a few standing waves when the water is high. There is one short stretch of Class I+ (II) water in the city of Conneaut around the Old Main Bridge. The channel turns sharply to the right and constricts to 10-12 feet as the current shoves its way past some old bridge piers that frequently contain a collection of logs and brush. The concrete bridge piers and tangle of logs make this a likely place to pin a boat when the water is up.
Counties: Ashtabula
Difficulty: International Class I+ (II)
Hazards/Portages: Old Main Bridge in Conneaut, strainers
Game-Fish Species: Seasonal steelhead and salmon run; spring run of smallmouth bass; year-round smallmouth, largemouth, and walleye
ODNR Conneaut Creek Map & Access Info
|
Access Point |
Section |
River |
Shuttle |
|
|
A. |
Farnham Park at Horton Rd. bridge |
A-B |
2 |
3 |
|
B. |
Turnpike Rd. covered bridge, |
B-C |
4 |
5 |
|
C. |
South Ridge Rd. bridge in Kingsville, |
C-D |
7 |
5 |
|
D. |
Creek Rd. covered bridge in |
D-E |
4 |
4 |
|
E. |
Old Main Bridge in Conneaut |
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| CONNEAUT CREEK |  |
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| Middle Road covered bridge just west of the OH-PA border, roadside access river left | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| Center Road bridge south of Farnham, roadside access river right and left | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| DAM--broken weir dam below Center Road bridge south of Farnham; dam only extends on the left and is runnable | Ashtabula | ||||||||||
| DAM--broken weir dam below Center Road bridge south about 1 mile, portage river right or paddle center chute | Ashtabula | ||||||||||
| DAM--broken weir dam below Center Road bridge about 1 1/2 miles, portage river right or paddle center chute | Ashtabula | ||||||||||
| Horton Road bridge southwest of Farnham, roadside access river right | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| State/turnpike Road covered bridge south of Conneaut, roadside access river right and left | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| South Ridge Road bridge east of Kingsville, roadside pulloff river left | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| DAM--broken weir dam at Locut Lane Campground in Kingsville between the junction of Reed and Creek roads and Creek Road covered bridge, center chute open | Ashtabula | ||||||||||
| Creek Road covered bridge in Conneaut, roadside access river right | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| Broken weir dam upstream of Center Road bridge in Conneaut, center chute open | Ashtabula | ||||||||||
| Broken weir dam at Old Main Road bridge off Woodworth Road in Conneaut, center chute open | Ashtabula | ||||||||||
| Woodworth Road at beginning of Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company and Railroad in Conneaut, roadside pulloff river right | X | Ashtabula | |||||||||
| Public dock on Lake Erie to the left of Conneaut Creek at the end of Broad Street in Conneaut, access river left | X | X | Ashtabula |