Middle Allegheny River Water Trail

The size of the Allegheny River and the constant release of water from Kinzua Dam make the Middle Allegheny River Water Trail canoeable almost all year long. The trail accommodates small, shallow-draft, powered and non-powered craft. This is a good novice and family canoe and kayak river. Float times are approximately 2 to 3 miles per hour. Water trail use is not recommended when river flow levels at Kinzua Dam are more than 5,000 cubic feet per second. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Kinzua Dam outflow information. Inexperienced and novice canoeists should avoid the Oil City Rapids by portaging around them. There are a number of canoe liveries from Warren to Foxburg that provide shuttle services and canoe rentals. Contact the Allegheny National Forest or regional tourist promotion agencies for a current list of liveries and telephone numbers. Many of these liveries can also provide helpful information on current river conditions. Some of the access points are primitive and suitable only for canoes and car-top boats.