What water level is good for paddling Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run?

This section is generally runnable at 250–4,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Pine Creek levels?

We read USGS gauge 01548500 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run good for beginners?

This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Pine Creek here?

Typically April–June, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run?

This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II13 mi · ~5 hrPine CreekPennsylvania

Verdict · updated Oct 17, 1:15 AM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

Estimated range

127 cfs

1.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01548500

Runnable 250 – 4,000 cfs

02504,0004,750

What this means today

At 127 cfs Pine Creek is 123 cfs short of the 250 cfs this reach needs to float — that is the gap between today's reading and the bottom of the runnable range, not a small margin you can paddle through.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 121 cfs to 127 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 91 cfs and 242 cfs, 32% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Blackwell to Slate Run

Pine Creek at Blackwell to Slate Run is a 13-mile Class II run in Pennsylvania — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Blackwell, PA access and take out at Slate Run, PA access, a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 250–4,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and Pine Creek gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 01548500 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable April–June. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class II
Length: 13 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: April–June
Put-in: Blackwell, PA access ↗
Take-out: Slate Run, PA access ↗

Reading USGS gauge 01548500 — Pine Creek at Cedar Run, PA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run?: This section is generally runnable at 250–4,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Pine Creek levels?: We read USGS gauge 01548500 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run good for beginners?: This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Pine Creek here?: Typically April–June, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Pine Creek — Blackwell to Slate Run?: This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 4,120 cfs