THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER—North BranchThe Susquehanna River is an American treasure reflecting the
unique places and people that comprise the Pennsylvania heart-land. Nearly 250 municipalities touch upon the river as it windsits way through the Commonwealth. Today, perhaps as neverbefore, the Susquehanna has the potential to shape our futureprospects in ways that we can only begin to imagine.
This stretch of the river is characterized by rolling meadows,forests and crop land, set amidst seemingly endless mountains.The glaciated landscape is marked by numerous lakes andstreams. The river is defined by frequent bends and meanders inresponse to its underlying geology. Much of the area is withinthe Endless Mountains Heritage Region and it offers abundantoutdoor recreation such as fishing, boating, hiking, biking, ski-ing, snowmobiling and scenic driving tours. Classic Americanastill flourishes in small river towns like Susquehanna, Hallstead,Sayre, Athens, Towanda, Wyalusing, Laceyville and Tunkhannock.Attractions include Standing Stone, French Azilum, scenic U.S.Route 6, covered bridges, historic canal remnants, numerousriver access points, and convenient proximity to state gamelands.
PADDLING SAFETY TIPS
• Wear your life jacket. Some 80 percent of all recreational boating fatalities happen to people who are not wearing a life jacket.
• Expect to get wet. Even the best paddlers sometimes capsizeor swamp their boats. Bring extra clothing in a waterproofbag.
• Be prepared to swim. If the water looks too hazardous toswim in, don’t go paddling.
• If you capsize, hold on to your boat, unless it presents a life-threatening situation. If floating in current, position yourselfon the upstream side of the capsized boat.
• Scout ahead whenever possible. Know the river. Avoid surprises.• Be prepared for the weather. Get a forecast before you go.
Sudden winds and rain are common and can turn a pleasanttrip into a risky, unpleasant venture.
• Wear wading shoes or tennis shoes with wool, polypropylene,pile or neoprene socks.
• Never take your boat over a low-head dam.• Portage (carry) your boat around any section of water about
which you feel uncertain.• Never boat alone. Boating safety increases with numbers.• Keep painter lines (ropes tied to the bow) and any other ropes
coiled and secured.• Never tie a rope to yourself or to another paddler, especially
a child.• Kneel to increase your stability before entering rougher water,
like a rapid.• If you collide with an obstruction, lean toward it. This will
usually prevent your capsizing or flooding the boat.• File a float plan with a reliable person, indicating where you
are going and when you will return. Remember to contact theperson when you have returned safely.
PENNSYLVANIA BOATING REGULATIONS
• One wearable, Coast Guard-approvedpersonal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) in serviceable condition and ofthe appropriate size is required for eachperson in your boat. If your boat is 16’or longer, one throwable device (seatcushion or ring buoy) is required.Canoes and kayaks, regardless of length,are not required to carry a throwabledevice.
• Life jackets must be worn by all children 12 years old andyounger on all boats 20’ or less in length while under way,and on all canoes and kayaks. Others are strongly encouragedto wear a PFD at all times on the water.
• All boats must display an anchor light (awhite light visible 360º) when at anchorbetween sunset and sunrise. Boats can use alantern or clip-on battery-powered unit tomeet this requirement.
• All powered boats must show running lightsbetween sunset and sunrise. Between sunsetand sunrise, unpowered boats must carry awhite light (visible 360º), installed orportable, ready to be displayed in time toavoid a collision.
• All motorboats are required to carry a sound-producing mechanical device audible for a half-mile. Athleticwhistles meet this requirement.
• All motorboats must be registered, regardless of where theylaunch.
• Unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts) usingPennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission access areas musteither be registered OR display a valid launch permit. Launchpermits can be purchased on the web at www.fish.state.pa.us. Click the “Outdoor Shop” icon.
• Operating watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, and rafts,under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. The law isstrongly enforced for user safety. For further information onboating regulations, contact the Pennsylvania Fish & BoatCommission at www.fish.state.pa.us.
STEWARDSHIPHelp care for the land, water, and cultural resources along the
Susquehanna River Water Trail by respecting wildlife, nature andother people. “Leave No Trace,” a national outdoor ethics pro-gram, provides some guidelines to minimize your impact. Formore information about “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics, visitwww.lnt.org.
Leave no trace for camping and day use:1. Plan and prepare.2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.3. Dispose of waste properly.4. Leave what you find.5. Minimize campfires.6. Respect wildlife.7. Be considerate of other visitors.
13 Howland Preserve (Mile 224L)—this 690-acreproperty donated to the North Branch Land Trust occu-
pies the downstream side of the Neck. The property is currentlynot open to the public except for special events.
14 Tunkhannock (Mile 218L)—originally spelled“Tunkhannunk” or “Tonkhonink,” translated as “two small
streams of water falling into one another” (or “opposite eachother”). The two streams flowing into the Susquehanna River areTunkhannock Creek (L) and Bowman Creek (R, downstream).Riverside Park is a good access with a short walk to the business-es of the town for food, groceries, hardware, or a movie. Thetown has a National Register Historic District and is theWyoming County seat.
15 Rock Garden in the River (Mile 215)—a large out-cropping of boulders in the river that should be paddled
through with caution.
16 LaGrange Island (Mile 214)—located opposite the village of Osterhout, formerly known as La Grange, a sta-
tion stop on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The original Osterhoutfamily were pioneer settlers. The Osterhout family later endowedthe Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre.
17 Buttermilk Falls (Mile 207L)—one of the spectacular waterfalls in a scenic hemlock gorge on the east side of
the river near the village of Falls. Can be seen by paddling justunder the railroad bridge on river left.
Sullivan’s March (also called Sullivan’s Expedition) in Augustand September 1779 brought a 3,500-man army up the Susque-hanna River valley from Pittston to eradicate the frontier settle-ments of the Native American tribes who were the allies of theBritish during the American Revolution. Encampments werelocated every 8–10 miles along the river in what later becameWyoming and Bradford counties. Historical markers are locatedalong Rt. 6 and Rt. 220.
Visitor opportunitiesOutfitters, guides, accommodations, and recreational opportu-
nities are abundant in this area. For more specific informationabout attractions presented in this guide, please contact one ofthe following:Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau,www.endlessmountains.org, 1-800-769-8999Endless Mountains Heritage Region,www.endlessmountainsheritage.org, (570) 265-1528Endless Mountain Outfitters, Inc.,www.emo444.com, (570) 746-9140
Chambers of Commerce in communities along theriverGreater Valley C of C, Sayre, (570) 888-2217Central Bradford Co. C of C, Towanda,www.cbradchamber.org, (570) 268-2732Wysox C of C, Wysox, (570) 265-7511Greater Wyalusing C of C, Wyalusing,www.wyalusing.net, (570) 746-4922Wyoming County C of C, Tunkhannock,www.wyccc.com, (570) 836-7755
Susquehanna GreenwayThe Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is ded-
icated to developing and sustaining the Susque-hanna Greenway to connect communities andenrich lives through enhanced recreation, healthyliving, economic prosperity and environmentalstewardship. The Partnership guides planning forthe Susquehanna Greenway and fosters communi-ty action to establish the Greenway. Establishment of the Green-way is a farsighted undertaking shaped by regional values and anover-arching vision, extending nearly 500 miles through 22Pennsylvania counties. Greenway plans and designs are based onconsideration of existing, currently planned, and newly proposedprojects and ideas identified through public involvement. Pleasejoin us in creating the Susquehanna Greenway!
In case of emergency contact 911 orMemorial Hospital, Route 6, Towanda, PA, (570) 265-2191Tyler Memorial Hospital, 880 Route 6 West, Tunkhannock, PA,(570) 836-2161PA State Police Barracks, Route 6 West, Tunkhannock, PA,(570) 836-2141Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, 575 River Street, Wilkes-Barre,PA, (570) 829-8111
Camping on the River241.5L—Endless Mountain Campground, Laceyville, PA,570-869-2580226L—Camp Lackawanna, Vosburg, PA, camping by priorarrangement only, 570-836-3444 206R—Susquehanna Shores Campground, West Falls, PA,570-388-6921
Low waterAlthough most rivers in the state are a challenge to paddle
during summer dry periods and very low water, the North Branchof the Susquehanna River can be paddled in this section with lit-tle difficulty.
FLOATING THE RIVER
Day Trips on the North Branch of the SusquehannaRiver Water Trail
In planning a day paddle on the North Branch of the Susque-hanna, different factors should be taken into consideration.Weather conditions, river gauge height, and the experience ofthe paddlers should be assessed before leaving for the day. Pad-dlers should evaluate the risk for themselves and go paddlingonly if they feel comfortable.
The weather forecast should be reviewed for temperature,storms and wind conditions. The combined temperatures of thewater and the air should be over 100 degrees. Thunderstorms canproduce violent lightning and wind and can be very dangerous ifyou are out anywhere along the river. Even on a warm sunny daya steady head wind can make paddling difficult. Know the weath-er forecast and prepare accordingly.
The river height is provided by USGS gauges at locations alongthe river and feeder streams and is found athttp://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/marfc for Pennsylvania streams.The base level for each gauge will vary depending on location.The gauges in Towanda, Wilkes-Barre, and Bloomsburg will readabout the same height. If these gauges are at two feet, thegauge at Waverly will be three feet, Meshoppen will be nine feet,and Danville will be five feet. Use these base levels for a safepaddle. If the gauges at Towanda and Wilkes-Barre are over fivefeet and Bloomsburg is over six feet, you should not paddle ifyou are a novice. Any water height with water up into the treescan cause a dangerous situation for paddlers.
The paddling miles per hour will vary with the river height.The river can be paddled with a level in Towanda as low as -.5’.Levels up to 2’ will be 2–3 miles per hour. Levels from 2’–4’ willbe 3–5 miles per hour, levels at 4’–5’ can be 4–6 miles per hour.Levels under 1’ can produce class I and II wave heights wherethe river funnels into the lower riverbed. It is easy to avoid theseareas or have fun and paddle through them.
It is better to plan a shorter trip and enjoy the paddle by tak-ing your time rather than to spend a long day in an unpredictedhead wind. An 8- to 10-mile paddle might be enough for novicepaddlers, and 15 to 18 miles for more experienced paddlers, atthe 2’ gauge level.
Review the caution areas prior to your trip.
photo: David Buck
FISHING OPPORTUNITIESThe North Branch Susquehanna River supports an exceptional
warmwater fishery. Some of the more popular species are small-mouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, channel catfish, rock bass,common carp and white suckers. Smallmouth bass are the main-stay of the fishery and are abundant throughout the river. Theycan be caught just about any time of the year on a variety ofbaits and gear types. The best smallmouth fishing, however, usu-ally occurs at the best time to float the river—during the peakof fall foliage season in October. Walleyes can be caught from thedeeper pools and are particularly active during the coldermonths. Trophy muskellunge are often taken at the mouths oflarger tributaries shortly after the season opens in May, and agrowing northern pike population can also provide surprisingaction when fishing these areas. The best channel catfishing isdownriver from Wyalusing. Consistently successful channel cat-fish anglers use bait at night during the summer.
RESPECT THE PRIVACY & RIGHTSOF PRIVATE LANDOWNERS
Plan and make stops on shorelines open to the public. Unlessyou are otherwise certain, assume the land is private property.In any case, avoid loud noises and boisterous behavior. Remem-ber that sound carries across water much more clearly than onland. Many landowners enjoy peace and solitude overlooking theriver from their back yards. Share the same courtesy that youwould want. A friendly wave or quiet greeting is always welcome.
ALONG THE WAY
1 Friedenshutten Monument (Mile 249L)—erected in 1871at the site of a Moravian mission founded in 1763 by mis-
sionary David Zeisberger, who reorganized the local Indian vil-lage “M’chwhihillusink” after being invited there by Papunhank,a Monsey chief of the Delaware tribe. The site was abandoned in1772 when the pastors led 200 Christian Indians to Ohio to avoidfrontier troubles before the American Revolution.
2 Indian Hill (Mile 246L)—name given to the site of aSeptember 1778 skirmish, four miles south of Wyalusing on
the east side of the river, between local Indians and ColonelThomas Hartley’s men after they had burnt several villages nearTioga Point (present-day Athens) to avenge the Wyoming Massacre the previous July.
3 Scenic Rock Outcrop (Mile 242R)—look up on the highridge and you will see outstanding rock ledges.
4 Laceyville Bridge (Mile 241)—built in 1975, named the“Most Beautiful Bridge” (short span) by the American
Institute of Steel Construction.
5 Laceyville (Mile 241L)—there are access park areaslocated above and below the bridge on the Laceyville side.
This is a good stop for bait, groceries, hardware, and food allwithin one block of the river. Laceyville’s Oldest House (Mile241L)—built in 1781, this is the oldest existing house in thefour counties of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region. Thehouse overlooks the river and was active as a local stop duringthe canal era in the 1850s and 1860s, once serving as a lock-keeper’s house.
6 Table Rock (Mile 240L)—a flat rock on the hillside over-looking the river at the mouth of Tuscarora Creek.
7 Black Walnut (Mile 238L)—located on Route 6 abouthalfway between Laceyville and Meshoppen. Once known as
Black Walnut Bottom for the large quantity of black walnuts thatonce covered the bottom of a local creek.
8 Kiwanis Wyoming Co. Fairgrounds (Mile 235.5L)—One-mile nature trail.
9 Meshoppen (Mile 233L)—”Glass beads” is the translationof the Native American word Meshoppen; the town was most
likely named because beads were exchanged here at a tradingpost in the later half of the 1700s.
10 Mehoopany (Mile 230R)—this interesting nameactually came from the word “Hoppeny,” which means
“place of wild potatoes.”
11 Procter & Gamble (Mile 230L)—a large paper-products plant, employing over 2,500 people.
Mile 229-228—Islands below Mehoopany—owned by DCNR;may be used for stopping points.
The Vosburg Neck—one of the most striking areas on the NorthBranch, a long loop with 500’ high rock cuts. Eagles are commonin this area. The 3,905’ long Lehigh Valley Railroad tunnel cutsthrough the mountain at the base of the neck. Most of the raillines built locally in 1865 – 1872 were placed on the formerNorth Branch Canal towpath or canal bed except on the lowerNeck, where the old canal bed is largely still intact.
12 Camp Lackawanna (Mile 226L)—this Presbyterianchurch retreat facility occupies much of the upstream
side of the Neck. Overnight camping may be available, by priorarrangement only. Endless Mountains Nature Center (Mile226L)—newly organized (2005) and currently located at CampLackawanna; except for scheduled public programs, priorarrangement strongly suggested before visiting.
Susquehanna RiverWater TrailNORTH BRANCH
Section 2: Laceyville to HardingMap & Guide
Water trails are recreational waterways on a lake, river or ocean between specific loca-tions, containing access points and day-use and/or camping sites for the boating public.Water trails emphasize low-impact use and promote stewardship of the resources. Explorethis unique Pennsylvania water trail.
For your safety and enjoyment:• Always wear a life jacket.• Obtain proper instruction in boating skills.• Know fishing and boating regulations.• Be prepared for river hazards.• Carry proper equipment.
photo: John Capwell
P
EN
NSY
LVANIA WATER
TRA
IL
SU
SQ
UE
H
ANNA RIVER NORTH B
RA
NC
H
Riverside Park in Tunkhannock
Paddling at Vosburg photo: David Buck
More detailed, waterproofed maps from Sayre toSunbury, including the Great Bend, are availablefrom: Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. atwww.endlessmountainsheritage.org, 570-265-1528and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Northeast Regional Office, at www.pecpa.org, 570-718-6507
photo: Middleton Evans
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