Water Activities
Whether a tiny trickle of a creek, enough to cool your toes, or the vast expanses of beaches, water provides an exciting element to outdoor recreation. Even the most seasoned of water enthusiasts can be surprised by changing water conditions. Enjoy your day but remember to stay safe!
Regulations:
Both motorized and non-motorized boats in Pennsylvania must be registered and in compliance with all Pennsylvania regulations. For current boating regulations, as well as important safety information, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.
Safety Tips:
Waterfalls
Hazards include slippery rocks and surfaces from mist and algae.
- Heed posted warning signs.
- Enjoy from a distance.
- Stay on established trails and enjoy the view from overlooks.
- Don’t jump off of waterfalls or dive into waterfall pools. Unseen objects, such as logs and boulders, may be under the water’s surface.
- Never swim or wade upstream near a waterfall, even if the water appears shallow and calm. The currents close to the falls could pull swimmers over the edge.
Rivers, Streams and Creeks
Changing seasons contribute to rapid changes in rivers and streams. In summer, rivers and streams often swell from runoff caused by snowmelt. That also could mean powerful currents that can easily sweep you off your feet.
- Avoid rock hopping. Stream polished rocks along the water's edge may be slippery when wet or dry.
- If you choose to cross a stream by going through it, study the area first. Avoid deep and/or swift water.
- When crossing on a natural bridge of rocks or logs, consider where you will land if you fall. Never cross above rapids or falls.
- If you are crossing a stream, unbuckle your pack's waist strap so you can shed it if you fall to prevent being pulled under by its weight. Consider putting your back in a waterproof back, which become a floating device to help your head stay above water.
- Do not tie yourself into safety ropes — they can drown you.
- If you fall into fast-moving water, do not try to stand up. Lay on your back with your feet pointing downstream and toes pointing up toward the surface. Always look downstream and be prepared to fend off rocks with your feet.
- Reservoirs
- Do not dive into the water. Jumping from cliffs or bridges is dangerous due to shallow water, submerged rocks, trees, or other hazards.
- Choose swimming areas carefully.
- Always swim with a buddy. Our beaches do not have lifeguards on duty. Stay within swimming markers and the shore where they are present.
- Always supervise children closely.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming or boating. Avoid drinking alcohol while supervising children around water.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because of the time it might take for emergency services to arrive, your CPR skills can make a difference in saving someone's life.
- Use life jackets that meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements when boating, regardless of distance to be traveled, size of boat, or swimming ability of boaters.
- Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as water wings, noodles, or inner tubes, in place of life jackets.
- Know the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous to swimmers and boaters.
Other Water Activities:
Scuba Diving
The only place to freshwater dive on the Allegheny is the reservoir. The average depth of the reservoir is 48 feet, with a maximum depth of 132 feet. You must display a diving flag. Divers should exercise extreme caution on weekends as surface boat traffic can be very heavy at times. There is no diving or swimming in areas marked with orange fish structure buoys.
- Tubing
Boating - Motorized
Allegheny and Tionesta Reservoirs
Power boat use is especially heavy on these lakes on weekends; be careful when canoeing. We recommend early morning and late evening hours on weekends. PFD'S must be worn on all canoes and other boats less than 16 feet, by children less than 9 years of age, and by non-swimmers on all boats. Alcohol possession and consumption are prohibited on the water surface.
Boating - Non-Motorized
There's nothing like an early morning paddle to start the day, whether your preferred paddling experience is a canoe or a kayak.
Looking for a little adventure in your paddle? We may not have rapids, but we have Class 1 riffles. Visit the Clarion River and enjoy the riffles from Arroyo Bridge to Irwin Run. Enjoy the tunnel-like feeling of the narrow river valley, surrounded on both sides by relatively steep hills. This river is a great one for birding, you may spot osprey, dugs, eagles, warblers, and orioles.
For a calmer float, take a trip down the Allegheny River. The most popular put in is just below Kinzua Dam, and that stretch that takes you through Warren will move you along pretty quickly to Buckaloons. After passing Buckaloons, especially during the spring, you can leave the main channel and travel down the less traveled sides of the island where you may see more signs of wildlife. Unless the water is high, the less traveled sides should be avoided in the summer or you'll spend a lot of time portaging your canoe/kayak.
While not a challenge as far as rapids or riffles go, the Allegheny Reservoir will offer you the challenge of having no discernable current, at least when you are paddling. You may occasionally be propelled by the wake of a motorized boat, but your trip on the reservoir will be entirely up to you the rest of the time. Unless you are an experienced kayaker/canoer, it may be best to stay closer to shore at first.
Swimming
Most swimming beaches have designated swimming areas marked off with buoys. Particularly on the reservoir, visitors are encouraged to stay between the buoys and shoreline due to boat traffic.
The Forest Service does not employ lifeguards. All beaches are swim at your own risk.
Search for Water Activities Opportunities
Buckaloons Recreation Area
Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Viewing and Hiking Area
Clarion River Campsites
Clarion Wild and Scenic River
Dewdrop Campground
Farnsworth Cabin
Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground
Hooks Brook Boat Access Campground
Hopewell Boat Access Campground
Irwin Run Canoe Launch