Now legal to run Ohiopyle Falls as of 22-Aug-2010

[cmnypny]

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... play/full/

After two decades of working on Ohiopyle Falls access, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Parks contacted American Whitewater today with official notification granting additional boater access to Ohiopyle Falls starting August 22, 2010. The new guidelines are as follows:

First Year Private Boater Ohiopyle Falls Access Guidelines

1. Prior to launching for each falls run, all boaters must register at the Lower Youghiogheny Launch Booth on SR 381. A launch permit, governed by the private boater quota reservation system, is required during applicable periods.

2. Water Level must be 1.8 feet or below on the USGS Gage at the Lower Youghiogheny Launch in Ohiopyle.

3. Using the Lower Youghiogheny Launch to take-out is prohibited. Boaters running the falls must continue down river and take-out either at the Loop Take-Out on Ferncliff or Bruner Run Take-Out.

4. For the first season, the Falls will be open for runs between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm from Sunday, August 22, 2010 through September 12, 2010: approximately 3 week launch window. If access pilot continues into 2011 season, the launch window will run from second Saturday in May to second Sunday in September (corresponds to 7-days a week manned Lower Yough Launch Area Operations).

5. Access (put-in) will be from the river right shore only (Ferncliff side). Access will be prohibited from the Falls Day-Use Area except during Falls Running Events governed by Special Activities Agreements. When Double Rope Buoy Lines are fixed (typically Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend), access must be on the downstream side of the lines via Ferncliff Trail. When Double Rope Buoy Lines are not fixed, access is permissible from approved upstream locations: Ferncliff Trail upstream to SR 381 Bridge/Middle Yough.

6. Boaters are prohibited from running Ohiopyle Falls alone (solo boater/party of one). Minimum group size is three boaters. 2nd or 3rd boaters do not have to run the falls and is/are included for the minimum group size for providing safety from shore (above or below) or boat (below) the falls.

7. Only single and double occupancy kayaks and canoes designed and fully outfitted for whitewater use are permissible. Unguided Liveries/Rental Craft are prohibited. Rafts are prohibited.

8. Boaters may scout the falls from beyond the warning signs during open hours but must wear PFD and helmet at all times.

Over the Falls Festival - August 21, 2010
Come join American Whitewater on August 21, 2010 as we celebrate our access achievement at this year's Over the Falls Festival. Whitewater paddlers nationwide will gather there to race and perform freestyle moves over the spectacular eighteen-foot waterfall in the picturesque mountain village of Ohiopyle. Other event features include the Falls Under Lights, Town Party and with Live Music from Half Time String Band. The area also offers biking, hiking, camping, magnificent scenery, photographic opportunities, history and cultural activities. Please visit www.FallsRace.com for more information and registration details.

[Cheeks]

Sweet!!!!!


Great work you guys.

[Craig Smerda]

3 weeks late...

Oh well... have fun everyone!

[gumpy]

man, that's alot of rules! finally the loop is complete. see ya labor day

[oopsiflipped]

i always thought it was ok to run the falls if:

1) it is dark out
2) you are drunk
3) you don't get caught

[PAC]

Oopsiflipped... you did not say that.. you did not say that! LOL

Over the Falls Race is the weekend of Aug 21...(Riversport is that weekend too... slalom race on the middle) just to get your practice runs in prior to doing it regulatory!

THANKS AWA!!!

[Lengthy]

You got my vote for best post ever.
Supergood news.

[Todhunter]

So Colin, are you going to run it on the weekend of the 28th when we are there?

[jatakasawa]

I've been obsessing over Ohiopyle Falls for a month now. So who's gone over and what was it like? The landing, the ability to overcome that foam-pile/wave before the lip etc.. Looks like kayaks power through with plenty of speed to spare for a nice boof. I'll see if I can get my Nitro through that mess and still maintain enough momentum to clear the curtain. So let's hear your stories of that epic moment in your boating career!!

[PAC]

There have been good canoe runs and bad ones....

Ones with folks staying in their boats and not getting their helmets wet ....
...and ones with Big Al running the drop next to his boat waving to the crowd!
Then there are ones when someone (Al) breaks his paddle across his nose!
Don't worry about it - it will take a few times before you remember it anyway! Just smile for the crowd and the camera (and make sure you watch everyone else's line - good and bad).
One point watch out for Horseshoe drop (3') just above the falls... more beat downs take place there than at the falls proper...
....been there done that!
Paul C.