1.) Baron Road to Sterrettania

This a good after work run for Erie residents. Since Erie enjoys a moist climate, the water is usually high enough about once a week except for when it is frozen over and during the summer months. During the summer this run is only available a couple of times from June through early September unless it is a very stormy summer. Lake effect rain helps make this run available in the Fall. There is good surfing for intermediate kayakers and it is very suitable for beginners. Rafting this section is quite difficult due to the fast moving water, sharp bends, and occasional trees requiring very precise maneuvering. At levels over 6.5 ft, this run would be too pushy for rafting in my opinion. There are a couple of miles of Class I water on Elk that can be added on to the run by putting in on Rt 99 in McKean. Up near McKean the run has more downed trees than the suggested put-in. There are a lot more sharp bends as the river meanders through a shallow valley and a more pastoral setting. The run from Baron Road starts out very tame with a long pool and one small Class I for the first 0.5 miles. After this, the run begins to descend through a shallow wooded ravine with small shale cliffs often on one side or the other. The run also passes some streamside homes, most of which do not interupt the scenery. Most of the rapids are of the ledge variety except for the first rapid and the last two which are created by small boulders. At the end of the run in Sterrettania, there is good access (PA Fish and Boat Commission Access Area) and a nice bar. There are a number of options for put-ins and take-outs. All this combines to make this reach the gem of Erie County! Enjoy! You must have a PA registration on your boat to take out at the PA Fish and Boat Commission Access Area, regaurdless of boat length or type of boat. Alternatively, you can park at the bar and take out just upstream of the bridge on West Road. Remember, if you are taking out in the Access Area, you must have a registration even if you are parked at the bar just up the road.  I personally found this out the hard way by getting a $50 fine. I think it costs $18 to register a boat and is good for 2 years. There is a painted gauge on a West Road bridge pier on the right side of the river at the intersection with 832 in the PA Fish and Boat Commission Access area.  This gauge is in increments of .25 ft.  If it is reading 1 ft, you will have just enough water for this run to be worth it.  It gets very fun at 1.75 ft or higher.