A major attraction of the park is whitewater boating. This section of the Lehigh River is Class III whitewater and is popular for rafting, kayaking and canoeing. All boaters must enter and leave the Lehigh River at designated sites. River flow is controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Francis E. Walter Dam and by streams flowing into the river throughout the park. Flow rates from the dam and scheduled water release dates are available at the U.S. Geologic Survey Web site: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis or call the Hickory Run State Park office. 570-443-0400
All boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. Type I, III or V vests designed for whitewater use are required.
Flow Rates: At flows below 250 cubic feet per second (cfs), the river is very low and many parts are not deep enough for boating.
From 250 to 1,000 cfs, the river becomes better for boating.
Above 1,000 cfs, the level of difficulty becomes progressively greater and higher levels of skill and better equipment are necessary.
At levels above 5,000 cfs, only expert boaters, in kayaks, closed canoes or very large rafts should attempt the river.
Trip Lengths: River trips may be of three lengths:
- White Haven to Rockport – 8.7 miles
- Rockport to Glen Onoko – 12.2 miles
- White Haven to Glen Onoko – 20.9 miles
The White Haven to Glen Onoko trip by raft may take from 10 to 12 hours at lower water levels. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your trip before dark.
Inexperienced boaters should not attempt the Lehigh River without qualified guides. Outfitted trips are available from concessionaires that provide rafts, guides, all necessary safety equipment, and transportation to and from the river.
The following is a list of licensed, commercial outfitters currently operating on the Lehigh River.
Jim Thorpe River Adventures
1 Adventure Lane
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
800-424-7238
www.jtraft.com
Pocono Whitewater
1519 State Route 903
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
800-WHITEWATER
www.whitewaterrafting.com
Whitewater Challenger, Inc.
288 Norh Stagecoach Road
Weatherly, PA 18255
800-443-8554
www.whitewaterchallengers.com
Whitewater Rafting Adventures Inc.
1 Hunter Street
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
800-876-0285
www.adventurerafting.com
International Scale of River Difficulty
The classes below are the American version of the rating system used throughout the world. This system is not exact. Rivers do not always fit easily into one category and there may be regional interpretations. This information is from American Whitewater.
Class I: Easy - Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Self-rescue is easy.
Class II: Novice - Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers.
Class III: Intermediate - Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges is often required. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can occur.
Class IV: Advanced - Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. May be large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. Rapids require “must” moves above dangerous hazards. Self-rescue is difficult.
All whitewater boaters on the Lehigh River must learn to recognize natural dangers and understand that injury and death are a possibility when boating the Lower Youghiogheny.
For useful safety information visit the Safety Code of American Whitewater. www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/safety:start
For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Whitewater Regulations and Safety
To protect the natural resources and the unspoiled natural beauty of the river and its environment, the Bureau of State Parks has developed maximum commercial boating capacities on the Lehigh River and controls the number of boaters. Controls have been placed on the outfitters which provide commercial guided river trips. These controls are designed to cover the safety equipment, type of flotation devices used and skill level of guides. Persons in canoes and kayaks should wear helmets and are required to add sufficient flotation to their watercraft for the displacement of water. Wetsuits or drysuits are recommended in the spring and the fall.
Inflatable devices (rafts, canoes and kayaks) must be designed for whitewater use and be constructed of durable materials with strong fabric backing. Crafts made from vinyl or PVC are prohibited.
At flow rates less than 250 cubic feet per second (cfs), whitewater regulations do not apply.
At flow rates between 250 - 1000 cfs, inflatable rafts must be at least eight feet in length, have three separate air chambers and have an outside tube diameter of at least 13 inches.
At flow rates between 1,000 cfs and 5,000 cfs, inflatable rafts must be at least 11 feet long, contain three separate air chambers and have an outside tube diameter of at least 15 inches.
At flow rates above 5,000 cfs, inflatable rafts must be at least 12.5 feet long, contain at least three separate air chambers and have an outside tube diameter of at least 17 inches.
All boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. Type I, III or Type V vests designed for whitewater use are requred.
