Allegehny River

Man if any one is planning on recreating around the river this weekend , PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

They are cranking the water flow to over 20,000,that is just down right dangerous to mess with.

Kinzua Reservoir area has received around 15" of rain for April and May, which is double their average and enough to meet the criteria to be considered a tropical rainforest.  They have no other option but to blast the water out to get the lake back to normal levels.  This is neccessary to maintain flood capacity, which is what the reservoir was designed for.  Unfortunately for us, recreational use of these waters takes a back seat to flood control.
 
I can honestly say that in all my years on the Lower Allegheny, I have never seen water levels remain unboatable this far into the spring.  It hasn't been at what I consider a decent (not perfect) level since the last week of March. 
 
The weatherman says that we are going to get out of this unsettled weather pattern this weekend and dry weather is on the way.  Let's hope he is right and that the rivers are back to normal (or at least reasonable) flows in another week.

that is a crazy video.  this sure has been some spring,  hopefully nobody decides to try and go out on the river. 

I was young and stupid, once.
I used to look forward to high flows on the river.
We once did the 30(+/- ) miles from the buckaloons to Tionesta by canoe during very high discharge.
Our party made it back but lost 1 canoe with cooler and contents (and almost two occupants).
Some people like to learn things the hard way and I used to be one of those.
 
 
 

If possible could somebody periodically update this with the current river conditions.  We are taking a 5 day trip down the river starting at the dam on June 19th.  We are going rain or shine in kayaks and canoes coming from Erie. We'd really appreciate it.

its starting to look nice in Franklin...I expect a fair amount of boats to be out this weekend

If possible could somebody periodically update this with the current river conditions. We are taking a 5 day trip down the river starting at the dam on June 19th. We are going rain or shine in kayaks and canoes coming from Erie. We'd really appreciate it.

You will be fine if we don't get a lot more rain. The outflow is currently about 12,000 (down from 20,000) and the water lever in the lake is only about 2' above summer pool (was about 10').

By the 19th, assuming we only get normal rainfall the lake will be at summer level with an outflow well below 6000. It should be fine for boating and probably even low enough for wading fishermen. The fishing should be good also since there hasn't been much for a couple months.

The Conowango Creek at Warren which comes out of NY has been dumping most of he muddy water into the Alleghney which has kept it murky below Warren but it is also starting to clear up. Things appear to be getting back to normal.

ORIGINAL: MisterZ

Caught 3 over keeper size today including a large mouth.

Are you keeping bass?

According to todays paper the outflow has been decreased to 6500cfs and we are just above summer pool level. I just got back from Tidioute and the river looks higher than it would at 3200 so I don't know what to tell you. At 6500 it should be good bank fishing but a bit tricky wading unless you know the area. From here on out they will discharge just enough to keep the lake at summer level unless we get a monsoon.

No problem, the way they change the outflow in the spring it's hard to tell from one day to the next what it will be. There is good fishing at 6000 especially near the dam and it's fine for boating but a bit of a challenge wading to some of the better downstream locations.

ORIGINAL: kayak99

ORIGINAL: MisterZ

Caught 3 over keeper size today including a large mouth.

Are you keeping bass?

No not at all. I catch and release (except during our annual guided Canada trip where we have a shore lunch). It was just quicker to list them as keeper size than list two 12 inchers and a 14".

FYI I've fished the Allegheny just North of Pittsburgh again today and each of the last 3 days. Today was by far the best action, caught 5 and lost at least 11 (ouch!) Happy to report the topwater bite was on! Definitely a bit rusty with setting the hook to quick on the topwater, otherwise I would have landed a lot more.

Water level felt just about back to normal to me. Visibility has definitely increased each day, probably about 2' or more now. Oh and I caught another large mouth, always interesting to me since I've caught 99% smallies and spots up until last year.