Our rivers and streams offer wonderful Great Miami River opportunities for recreation, from kayaking and canoeing to fishing and wildlife watching. But it’s important to learn how to enjoy them safely. Review the information on the reverse side to make sure your next outing on the Great Miami River is a safe and fun adventure.

4 Indian MORAINE NORTHERN SECTION AUGLAIZE CO. Lake MAP SYMBOLS SOUTHERN SECTION 48 LAKEVIEW GM 73.8 SHELBY CO. 33

GM 00.0 River Access GM 74.8 Dryden Rd.

SHELBY CO. SHELBY LOGAN CO. LOGAN RUSSELLS GM 156.7 GM The Great Miami River Watershed POINT 00.0 River Miles Main St. GM 72.7 235 S. Dixie Hwy. M H u GM c 708 GM 156.7 GM Great Miami River 72.9 o h le i GM 155.0 s Creek n GM i 156.5 SW Stillwater River GM 72.4 p

p JACKSON i GM 154.3 GM 71.7 HARDIN MR Mad River GM GM 72.0 TOLEDO CENTER C 71.7 CLEVELAND 274 r e 274 LC Loramie Creek GM 69.0 AUGLAIZE e MERCER k GM 153.5 Bear Creek FM Four Mile Creek W. Central Ave.WEST 75 741 CARROLLTON Detailed River Maps GM 152.1 TW Twin Creek OHIO LOGAN LEWISTOWN 37 Farmersville West Carrollton Rd.

INDIANA 675 725 SHELBY Please visit MCDwater.org 54 WW Whitewater River GM 151.5 GM 66.7 S S. Dixie Dr. T I for more detailed maps in 13 L L Roadside Parking W A r MIAMISBURG T E R e 4 R E DAYTON 10-mile segments of the R I v GM 66.4 V V i

E I Parking Lot R COLUMBUS 235

DARKE R CHAMPAIGN Great Miami Riverway R

D I i a

M GM y MIAMI 66.0 t

o

A including river access, GM 150.6 Motor Vehicle

m n I C

a Linden Ave.

M in i Parking Permit Required trails, parks and more. c

T R in

A E CINCINNATI n GM 64.0 M a

E V t I CLARK i P

R t Restrooms 725

R k. G D A a M e 207 Shephard Rd. 207 r Drinking Water G GM 148.9 GM 63.8 GM 63.4 Tawawa Maplewood Rd. Picnic Area MONTGOMERY GM 63.5 Chautauqua Rd. Baker Rd 47 PREBLE Germantown GM 62.0 GREENE Pasco Montra Rd. Canoe Rental R E Dam V GERMANTOWN I Boat Ramp TC R k E 10.3 I e 47 21 e TC 5.6 GM M GM 146.9 r 61.7 A 73 I C Whitewater Feature M LOGANSVILLE Cre TC 8.2 T s e k GM A 60.5 a R E l d Twin Creek BUTLER R 47 a Camping TC . G h 10.1 123 GM 59.7 WARREN PORT Pence Rd. GM 145.9 e 29 64 g JEFFERSON n Recreation Trail Access TC 8.3 Miami Ave. GM 135.8 e TC FRANKLIN GM 137.3 k 9.0 CARLISLE 2nd St GM 132.3 Rd. Baker o Restaurant GM 132.9 B 725 GM 59.2 75 GM 143.5 HAMILTON 75 47 Amphitheatre Martz-Paulin Rd. GM 129.4 GM 140.6 DE GRAFF 4 GM 137.9 73 Astoria Rd. 73 123 OHIO Deweese Rd. 235 Changing Booth Oxford Rd. KENTUCKY GM 128.5 Low Dam or TC 1.3 GM 128.5 Johnston-Slagle Rd. QUINCY GM 143.3 GM 00.0 Pasco Montra Rd. TC 0.9 GM 127.8 GM Caution Area 128.0 GM 140.8 GM 56.5 Logan-Shelby Rd. MCD Flood 47 GM 127.8 GM North St. 508 A 56.3 Court St. GM 127.6 Protection Dam SIDNEY WARREN CO. 706 MONTGOMERY CO. GM S. Main Ave. Main S. 55.8 GM 127.4 4 Low Dam BUTLER CO. BUTLER CO. GM 126.9 LOGAN CO. . Caution Area Rd GM 54.2 GM 126.4 n kli CHAMPAIGN CO. n a Vandemark Rd. County Road r 75 F

n MIDDLETOWN Central Ave.

o t

L GM 125.8 Ohio State Routes n e o Lindsey Rd. ra r GM 51.7

m 29 T i 122 e U.S. Highways C 235 re ek Infirmary Rd. GM 123.4 Interstate Highways 122 GM 51.6

Miami Conservancy Rd. GM 122.8

d. GM 122.1 E GM 50.8 R l 4 er k iv R k LC 2.0 i MAP LEGEND Cr 73 e A m e e a e r i 75 k C Lockington M ’s E. Lockington Rd. GM 48.9 ick Dam Vandermark Rd. DAM at City of Dayton wellfield Joyce Park, D 66 Great Miami River (GM) GM 85.2 GM MONROE LC 1.8 GM 120.4 32.0 GM 48.5 LOCKINGTON Sidney-Piqua Rd. (portage left) Hamilton Parks Conservancy W. Miami Shelby Rd. DAM at Indian Lake Howe Rd. GM 48.4 LC 0.4 GM 156.7 GM 84.3 G N. Hardin Rd. Eintracht Club, City of Riverside Heritage Park r GM 46.7 SHELBY CO. (portage right) e Landman Mill Rd. GM 23.8 (East Miami River Rd.), a E. Miami Shelby Rd. t MIAMI CO. GM 82.4 Triangle Park, City of Dayton GM 117.6 Indian Lake State Park in Colerain Township TRENTON M 63 GM 156.7 P i

i Russells Point a q GM 118.1

u GM GM 82.0 Triangle Park, City of Dayton DAM south of New Baltimore m 116.3 a

- Wayne Madison Rd. i

L

o GM 143.5 SR 235 bridge (De Graff) GM 19.9 (washed out, proceed R

c

GM 116.3 Troy-Sidney Rd. 73 i

k Island MetroPark (Helena St.), v

i GM n 81.7 with caution)

g Five Rivers MetroParks e

t o N.Co Rd. 25A DAM at Quincy r n GM 140.8 GM R (difficult portage right or left) 19.6 Dravo Park, Colerain Township d GM 114.5 . DAM at Island MetroPark GM 81.3 PIQUA GM 113.8 (portage left) Whirlpool HAZARD at US 50 GM 140.6 SR 235 bridge (Quincy) GM 8.0 4 36 bridge (portage left or right) GM 113.1 Garbry Rd. Deeds Point , WOODSDALE S. Main St. DAM at Johnston Park GM 80.7 GM 42.4 GM 128.5 Five Rivers MetroParks 127 GM (portage right) Shawnee Lookout, 113.0 GM 112.6 GM 3.4 Liberty Fairfield Rd. Great Parks of Hamilton County FM 2.0 GM 39.5 GM 112.1 36 GM 112.4 GM 128.5 Johnston Park, City of Sidney RiverScape MetroPark, Augspurger Rd. GM 80.4 k GM Five Rivers MetroParks Oxbow Wetland ee 112.1 GM 1.0 e Cr Custenborder Field, il Brown Rd. GM (Exit 16 on I-275) M GM 111.7 75 128.0 GM 80.4 River Run – Drop 1 (big rapid) ur CHAMPAIGN CO. CHAMPAIGN City of Sidney Fo GM 40.7 GM 41.0 NEW MIAMI CO. MIAMI GM 79.7 River Run – Drop 2 (big rapid) GM 110.3 DAM at Custenborder Fields Loramie Creek (LC) MIAMI . GM 127.8 (portage left) GM 37.8 Peterson Rd. RiversEdge Park, Piqua-Troy Rd. 4 Farrington Rd. GM 79.9 Lockington Dam GM 109.9 Watch for this sign to Miami Conservancy District A GM 36.5 Veterans Memorial Walkway at (portage left) 129 help you find the GM 127.8 Custenborder Field, Tait Station Recreational Access, GM 36.4 GM 108.8 City of Sidney GM 76.6 access points along Miami Conservancy District Stillwater River (SW) GM 36.2 Black St. HAMILTON k MLK Jr. Blvd. e the Great Miami River. GM 126.9 Berger Park, City of Sidney Main St. GM 108.1 re Sunwatch Indian Village, High St. C GM 74.8 Englewood Dam 4 C GM 35.5 GM 35.4 By Pass Eldean Rd. ng Roadside Park, City of Sidney Dayton Society of Natural History (portage right) N. Dixie Hwy. i r GM 126.4 GM 34.9 41 Sp (CR 25A) East River Landing, Pershing Ave. GM DAM at Englewood MetroPark GM 107.3 73.8 SW 8.9 Black St. Canal Feeder Trail, Miami Conservancy District (portage right) GM 34.4 GM 122.8 City of Sidney GM 33.7 GM 106.0 Miami & Erie Canal Park, GM 33.8 GM Englewood MetroPark Adams St. 72.4 City of West Carrollton SW 8.9 (Aullwood Rd.), GM 105.8 GM 120.4 East Lockington Road bridge Market St. 55 4 GM 105.2 Miami Bend Park, Five Rivers MetroParks 127 TROY DAM at Piqua waterworks GM 72.0 GM 116.3 Miami Conservancy District GM 105.6 GM 104.8 (portage left) SW 5.8 Dog Leg Road bridge DAM near Moraine Air Park, GM 32.0 FAIRFIELD GM 105.0 GM 116.3 Roadside Park, City of Piqua Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark GM 104.1 GM 71.7 downstream of Sellars Rd.

(portage left) SW 2.1 (Siebenthaler Ave.), N. Main Street bridge G

GM 114.5 Five Rivers MetroParks

41 r

River‘s Edge Access (right) 128 e River Rd.

Boat Ramp downstream ian Cr a

Ind ee t

55 SW k GM 71.7 side of dam, 1.4 DeWeese Park, City of Dayton M

S.Co Rd. 25A GM 113.1 Lock 9 Park, City of Piqua Miami Conservancy District i FOREST 75 SW 0.3 Ridge Avenue bridge a PARK 201 GM 113.0 27 m E. Main Street bridge i Lost Creek Case Landing, GM 66.0 R City of Miamisburg iv 275 GM 112.6 Bridge Street Mad River (MR) er BUTLER CO. Rice Field HAMILTON CO. Tipp Elizabeth Rd. DAM at Piqua power plant DAM downstream of Hyatt St. GM GM

112.1 GM 64.0 (Dayton-Cincinnati Rd.), 27.0 MIAMI CO. MIAMI CLARK CO. CLARK (portage left) MR 10.6 GM 26.5 202 City of Miamisburg Medway Road (portage right) ROSS 27 127 Piqua Power Plant 126 GM GM 98.2 GM DAM at Hutchings Station 99.0 Parkwood Dr. 112.1 Waterfront Access, GM 63.5 Huffman MetroPark 571 (difficult portage left) 126 Colerain Rd. Colerain Ave. H City of Piqua MR (Lower Valley Pike) o 6.5 GM 25.6 TIPP Main St. GM 97.3 n e Boat Ramp Dayton-Cincinnati at Five Rivers MetroPark CITY GM 97.4 y Goodrich Giles Park, GM 63.4 GM 97.2 Cr GM 111.7 Shepherd Rd. 571 eek City of Piqua Huffman Dam GM 23.8 For more information, a Stillwater GM GM 97.2 D E 96.7 . Crains Run Park (portage right) 128 M River map is available from r Farrington Reserve, ia e GM 110.3 GM (Dayton-Cincinnati Road), m The Miami Conserancy District. iv 62.0 ive i Miami County Park District R r Rd R R DAM at City of Dayton wellfield . 27

Miami Township iv i e r

(Stay far left, portage to river) R 126 126 m d Twin Arches Reserve, NEW . a GM 108.8 DAM at Chautauqua MR 5.2 DO NOT continue straight i 202 Miami County Park District BALTIMORE GM (washed out, proceed into mill race - MIAMI CO. M 61.7 Ne d. t w n R GM 21.2 GM 94.0 a with caution) VERY dangerous and illegal Have e 235 Covered Bridge Park, 275 MONTGOMERY CO. r GM 108.1 G Concord Township Blue Rock Rd. Ross Rd. GM 59.7 2nd St. bridge DAM at City of Dayton wellfield GM 19.9 Ronald Reagan Cross County Hwy 48 MR 4.1 N. Dixie Dr. Barbee Memorial Park, (portage left) GM 106.0 Boat Ramp at Dayton-Oxford Rd., GM 19.6 75 GM 59.2 40 Concord Township City of Franklin Eastwood MetroPark UNION Treasure Island (Elm St.), (Harshman Rd.), GM 105.8 Miami River Reserve, MR 3.0 128 Englewood City of Troy GM 56.3 Mad River Run Whitewater Park, Dam 40 For more information, a Mad MetroParks of Butler Co. Five Rivers MetroParks E. River map is available from Mi SW 9.0 Peters Pk. VANDALIA GM am C 91.0 DAM downstream of Market St. i R 52 The Miami Conserancy District. GM 105.0 DAM at Middletown MR 1.6 N. Findlay St. bridge ive Taylorsville Dam r R (portage left) d r Cre GM (washed out, proceed . lo ek 55.8 ay 74 SW 8.9 GM 90.8 B GM 90.9 Miami Shores Golf Course, with caution) MR 0.7 Valley St. GM 14.9 T 70 GM 104.8 GM 14.4 70 201 City of Troy . SW 8.9 Rd. Leg Dog GM 54.2 SR 4 at Carmody Boulevard MR 0.3 Webster St. bridge e GM 90.3 n Av Taylorsville Rd. iso MIAMITOWN H SW 7.5 rr arr N. Dixie Dr. a i HUBER H son CHEVIOT Little York Rd. GM 89.5 Recreational Trail Access A SW 7.9 74 ve St GM 104.1 GM 51.7 SR 122 bridge 52 52 . i HEIGHTS (SR 41 bridge), City of Troy 74 275 . Heathcliff Rd. ll Twin Creek (TC) d w GM 89.4 R r a Chambersburg Rd. e e Bicentennial Commons (SR 122), iv ENGLEWOOD r R R GM 88.3 Parkwood Dr. bridge GM 51.6 Germantown Dam i GM 10.6 City of Middletown Hamilton Cleves Pike iRd.am iv Fishburg Rd. Tippecanoe Family Aquatic E . M SW 5.8 er Rd. Rap Rip GM 88.2 (portage right) E 75 GM 99.0 Center, City of Tipp City Armco DAM south of SR 122 Whitewater River GM 50.8 275 SW 5.0 Frederick Pk. City Park, City of Tipp City (difficult portage left or right) Germantown MetroPark, GM 89.4 TC 10.1 49 Philadelphia Dr. GM 86.1 Canoe Livery, City of Tipp City Five Rivers MetroParks 48 Needmore Rd. Hand-carried Boat Ramp, . GM d H GM Honey Creek Preserve, 48.5 Salem Ave. R 85.2 Kercher Park (Astoria Rd.), 128 SW 2.9 MetroParks of Butler County d GM 97.4 TC 8.2 r Harshman Rd. o Mad River Miami County Park District Germantown F CAUTION: N. Dixie Dr. r 202 WW GM 8.0 e 2.4 n Do not boat on this Rentschler Forest MetroPark, GM 8.0 g SW 2.1 a side stream. Stay GM 41.0 W SR 571 River Access, TC DAYTON DETAIL MR 6.5 GM 97.2 MetroParks of Butler County 5.6 SR 123 bridge WW 1.9 CLEVES SW 1.5 on the Mad River. Miami County Park District 48 WW 1.8 50 Helena St Siebenthaler Ave. GM 84.3 D MR 5.8 Huffman Dam DAM south of Rentschler Forest Carmody Park 50 GM 82.4 4 GM 40.7 SW 1.4 GM Kyle Park, City of Tipp City WW 1.7 d. R 75 GM 83.0 RIVERSIDE 96.7 MetroPark (portage left) TC 1.3 (Martz-Paulin Rd.), w R OHIO GM iv ie 81.3 e iv r s m i Warren County Park District WW 0.2 a d SW 0.3 GM 82.7 MR 3.0 OHIO i er e MR M iv

Ridge Ave. 5.2 D GM 94.0 Ross Road bridge INDIANA R r Combs Park, . GM o GM 80.4 GM 81.6 GM 36.5 i KENTUCKY 82.0 MR 0.7 MR 4.1 Hamilton Parks Conservancy GM 6.0 h GM 79.9 GM 80.7 Taylorsville MetroPark, Four Mile Creek (FM) O Salem Ave. GM MR 81.7 3.0 GM 91.0 Brower Rd. Helena St. MR 3.0 675 GM 5.2 MR 0.3 Five Rivers MetroParks DAM north of Black St. 275 Monument Ave. GM 81.3 MR 1.6 GM W. 1st St. GM 80.4 Wolf Creek 36.4 Four Mile Creek MetroPark, MR 0.6 Findlay St. (portage right) GM 79.9 Taylorsville Dam FM Lawrenceburg Rd. . 2.0 Main St. GM 79.9 Antenen Nature Preserve Area, d Keowee St. v B W. 3rd St. l Burkhardt Rd. B Webster St. (portage right) Monument Park, MetroParks of Butler County W. 4th St. n o GM s 80.4 r Kemp Rd. GM 35.4 W. 5th St. e GM 79.9 t t Hamilton Parks Conservancy 35 a 5th St. CO. MONTGOMERY P GM 80.4 Taylorsville MetroPark, GM 3.4 GM 90.8 4 35 GM 78.7 35 Five Rivers MetroParks Boat Ramp, Whitewater River (WW) Washington St. Dryden Rd. GM 34.4 4 Stewart St. DAYTON Hamilton Parks Conservancy E 35 d Great Miami Trail Bridge 5180 Lawrenceburg Rd, w See reverse for details

48 CO. GREENE GM WW in 75 Wilmington Pk. 89.5 2.4 C 1 Main St. Little York Rd. Bridge . Woodman Dr. Whitewater Township M on whitewater parks DAM south of Columbia Rd. o GM 78.0 s GM 33.8 e GM 76.3 s bridge (portage left or right) GM 1.0 75 B l v GM 88.3 Rip Rap Rd. at Fishburg Rd. d 48 Riverview Park, . GM WW 76.6 GM 76.9 1.9 KENTUCKY Whitewater Township 50 GM Stewart St. MORAINE Kevin Lodder Park (Neilan Blvd.), 0.0 275 KETTERING GM 88.2 Rip Rap Road Bikeway bridge GM 33.7 Hamilton Parks Conservancy

3/2019 2019-13 Report MCD Wear a Life Vest Planning a Trip MCD is all about water. U.S.A. in Printed reserved. rights All MCD. 2019 ©

More than 80 percent of all boat- • Scout the land area and stream prior to boating it. Protecting. Preserving. Promoting. recycled. be also may map This process. friendly

ing fatalities occur because the • File a “float plan” with a reliable person, indicating environmentally an using manufactured is

which paper on printed been has map Playing It Safe This person wasn’t wearing a life vest. where you are going and when you will leave and return. Flood Protection

Many people think a personal • Check river water levels and flow information for any People and businesses along the Great Miami River in user. the of responsibility the are contents its and map the of use and Interpretation

flotation device (PFD) or life vest river warning and flood information. Check a stream southwest Ohio enjoy life without flooding concerns. inaccuracies. any for responsible not is District Conservancy Miami The

accurate. be to believed is map this in contained formation

says “non-swimmer,” but the truth is no boating expert gauge level, if available, on the United States MCD’s system of five dry dams, retarding basins, 55 miles in The Hazards Found on Streams Low Dams and would be without one. And PFDs have come a long way Geological Survey’s web site at of levees, and preserved floodplain provide a nearly SmithFly. and Center, Medical Valley Upper Health Premier Bureau,

Recreation on rivers and streams can be since the bright orange, uncomfortable life jackets of the http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/rt. unparalleled level of protection. Convention and Visitors County Miami Department, Water Dayton of City MCD, Waterfalls between effort cooperative a was publication this of Funding/production relaxing or thrilling, but it should always be past. From inflatable PFDs worn around the waist – that • Dress properly. Wear appropriate footwear. Low dams – like natural waterfalls – are deceptively Water safe. Water offers several real dangers, but open only if they hit water – to lightweight life vests, every- • Know the location of all dams and other hazards, and calm and can be incredibly dangerous. Low dams may Water is the key to healthy people and healthy communi- with proper training, these hazards are easily one can find a comfortable PFD to insure a safe trip. carry your boat around these hazards. range from a 25-foot drop-off to a mere 6-inch drop-off. ties. MCD monitors and protects our region’s water. managed. Boating safety classes that can • The streambed may be privately owned. Be sure to put Water flowing over the dam forms currents that can trap teach you to handle water hazards are in and take out only at public access points. River Fun objects and you. Backwash and re-circulating current Watercraft Laws and  • Carry adequate drinking water. available around the state of Ohio. And water isn’t just for drinking. Rivers are outdoor can trap you back against the dam then underwater be- • Be prepared for the worst. Know how to get to roads if Contact the Ohio DNR at 1-877-4BOATER Boater Responsibility playgrounds. MCD is working to bring more and more fore you are pushed along the bottom only to be sucked you must “walk out.” or www.watercraft.ohiodnr.gov for more • All watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, stand-up people to the river. back to the dam as you rise to the surface. This circulat- • Display courtesy and respect to other stream users. information. paddleboards, motorboats and most inflatable rafts, must ing motion repeats over and over again. The backwash

be registered with Ohio DNR. Vision currents may even suck you in if you approach too www.mcdwater.org

• United States Coast Guard approved (USCG) personal Thriving communities, a healthy watershed and a higher closely from downstream of the dam. The Great Miami 223-1271 (937) Phone:

flotation devices (PFDs) are required for every boater. quality of life, sustained by well-managed water resources

River has many dams, with several more low dams on throughout the watershed. 45402 Ohio Dayton, • Children under the age of 10 are required to wear a Avenue Monument E. 38 its tributaries. properly fitted, USCG-approved PFD at all times while on Mission a watercraft less than 18 feet in length. Protecting lives, property and economic vitality within the • It is illegal to operate any watercraft – boats, canoes, Great Miami River Watershed through an integrated and kayaks, jet skis, etc.– under the influence of alcohol. The Secretary of the U.S. balanced system that provides unfailing flood protection, • It is illegal to litter in any ditch, stream, river, lake, pond Department of the Interior Designated by Ohio DNR in preserves water resources, and promotes enjoyment of or other water area. designated the Great Miami 2010, the Great Miami River our waterways. • Children under the age of 12 operating a watercraft must River and its tributaries as and its tributaries are Ohio Taylorsville Dam near Vandalia is one of MCD’s five flood HARDIN

Paddlers should not boat on swollen rivers and streams like be directly supervised by an adult and may not operate National Water Trails in 2016. Water Trails. protection dams . AUGLAIZE fishing. bass smallmouth MERCER

this high water on the Great Miami River in downtown Dayton. personal watercraft such as jet skis. The Great A N

O I best Ohio’s of some contains River Miami Great upper

A

I H LOGAN

D

O

N

I SHELBY

MCD Dams Great Miami Riverway Miami River and middle The streams. high-quality and farmland

Floods and Other Boating Etiquette productive industries, recreation, supply, water its CHAMPAIGN

Watershed DARKE MIAMI

The Miami Conservancy District operates and maintains The Great Miami Riverway is for known is and rivers; Mad and Stillwater, Miami, Great

Group size and paddling skills are an important consideration High, Swift Water five large flood-protection dams (not low dams), in the 99 miles of river, paved trails, the includes watershed The Cincinnati. of west River,

in choosing a waterway for your trip. The recommended

Paddlers should never boat on a stream with water Low dams can be deadly and should always be avoided. Great Miami River Watershed. These dams hold back and connected communities. CLARK Ohio the with confluence its to southwest flows and Lake

minimum is three boats. No one should paddle alone. PREBLE

at Miami River originates upstream from Indian Indian from upstream originates River Miami at spilling out of the banks or on a stream that is unusually water only when river levels are too high to pass through The Riverway offers access to MONTGOMERY Gre The

the large concrete tubes (conduits) that pass through the Each person has specific responsibilities in the overall abundant recreational activities GREENE swollen due to high rains or snow melt. High water causes Safe! It Play &

hazards such as low dams and strainers to become even Safety tips to follow dams. Do not attempt to boat through the dam’s conduits. group organization. The safety of the group is dependent along the water and into town, BUTLER more dangerous. Unseen obstacles such as floating logs • Know the location of all low dams and waterfalls on Underwater portions of the dam create unpredictable upon everyone carrying out these responsibilities. making it easy for residents and visitors to enjoy WARREN River Miami Great the Enjoy or submerged trees may also threaten a boater. Swift the river that you plan to boat. currents and turbulence, which can be extremely the region’s outdoor recreation scene and create HAMILTON The lead boat is the first boat and should carry an O HIO currents are more likely to overcome a paddler’s ability • NEVER attempt to boat over a dam or waterfall. dangerous. Plan to start your river trip downstream from memorable experiences. Find your way. KENTUCKY experienced river runner. The lead boat: to avoid hazards and may make it more difficult to reach • Portage (carry) your boat around a low dam and these dams or end your trip upstream from these dams. • Sets the pace and continually evaluates the pace for the shore once in the water. launch a safe distance, well downstream of the back- What Stands Out Along The Riverway? rest of the boats. wash of the low dam. • Selects and communicates to the rest of the group the Water levels are monitored on rivers and streams • Scout the river and know the location of hazards. Talk Water Trail Partners route to follow. throughout the state. Check local media and sources for with boaters who are familiar with the river to gain • Scouts the route when a clear section isn’t visible. All of the access point information is provided by The warnings and current conditions. additional knowledge. • Carries first-aid and rescue equipment. Miami Conservancy District and the following water trail • Boat with experienced, responsible boaters and learn partners. Please contact them for more information. from them. The sweep boat is the last boat and should carry an • Watch for a smooth line connecting the banks. This experienced rescuer. The sweep boat will only pass other Logan County Ohio Department of  may be the top of a low dam. boats in the event of an emergency and: Indian Lake State Park Natural Resources  Cold Water Immersion Division of Watercraft • Listen for the splashing sounds of turbulence and the • Carries first-aid and rescue equipment. 12774 State Route 235 N Sudden immersion in cold Lakeview, Ohio 43331 2045 Morse Road, Building A dangerous currents at dams. • Assists with keeping the group together. 937-843-2717 Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693 water can be deadly. The • Look for concrete retaining walls, which some dams 1-877-4BOATER or  The remaining boats have a responsibility to stay in City of Sidney Parks initial “cold shock” have at each bank, making the dams easier to spot. (614) 265-6480 can cause immediate, between the lead and sweep boats. (If a boat inadvertently 201 W. Poplar Street watercraft.ohiodnr.gov Sidney, Ohio 45365 It is nearly impossible to escape the force of a low passes the lead boat, it should immediately stop and wait Great Miami River involuntary gasping, (937) 498-2335 Warren County hyperventilation, panic dam’s currents. for the lead boat to pass.) www.sidneyoh.com Park District and vertigo – all of which 300 East Silver Street Unless you are trained in low dam rescues, never enter The remaining boats: Miami County Park District Lebanon, Ohio 45036 Map & Guide can result in inhaling the water in an attempt to rescue someone trapped by • Maintain space to avoid collisions, but still stay compact Learn more at GreatMiamiRiverway.com 2645 East State Route 41 Lebanon: 513-695-1109 water and drowning. It also Troy, Ohio 45373 Cincinnati: 513-925-1109 Seventh Edition a low dam. Immediately call for help, then throw a line Strainers as a group. can cause sudden changes in blood pressure, Phone: (937) 335-6273 www.co.warren.oh.us/parks from shore to the trapped person. Untrained rescuers River obstructions that allow water to flow through them • Always keep the next boat upstream and downstream in Fax: (937) 335-6221 heart rate and heart rhythm that also may result MetroParks of should never approach the top of the dam or the back- but that block or “strain” people and boats are known as sight; stop if the downstream boat isn’t visible. www.miamicountyparks.com in death. The longer you are immersed in cold Butler County wash below the dam, even in a boat. The turbulence at “strainers.” They are frequently found in the form of • Communicate boating instructions. 2051 Timberman Road water, the harder it is to control your body. Five Rivers MetroParks the dam will easily capsize a boat. branches and limbs, log jams and flooded islands. Because 409 E. Monument Avenue Hamilton, Ohio 45013 Manual dexterity and coordination deteriorate the water flows through strainers, river currents may carry Third Floor 513-867-5835 rapidly, and within 30 minutes, hypothermia you and your boat right into the strainer. Those same Outdoor Ethic Dayton, Ohio 45402 www.yourmetroparks.net (cooling of the body’s core temperature) can (937) 275-PARK (7275) currents will press against the side of your boat and cause Dispose of litter properly – pack it out www.metroparks.org Great Parks of begin. Loss of consciousness and death with or Hamilton County it to tip. If you should fall into the water, the current will • Repackage food to minimize waste. without drowning can result. 10245 Winton Road push you against the strainer and hold you in place with • Never throw garbage into the water. Cincinnati, Ohio 45231 To prevent cold water immersion, take all tremendous force. The current may hold you at the water • Plastics are dangerous to wildlife – plastic bags, six-pack 513-521-7275 www.greatparks.org measures necessary to avoid capsizing your surface or below the water. All strainers should be avoided. rings, and other clear plastics float on the water. Low dam boat. Keep your life jacket securely fastened to location Display courtesy and respect to help keep your head above water if you fall into Foot Entrapments the water. (View looking riverfront landowners downstream) If your boat capsizes, do not attempt to stand or walk if • The access points highlighted in this guide are located You don’t have to be submerged to become you are in high, swift-moving water. You may pin a foot on public property, but most of the shoreline and river hypothermic. Wind chill, rain and perspiration between submerged rocks or debris. Once pinned, the bottom are privately owned. can contribute to the condition. Uncontrollable force of the current can push you under the water and • Many landowners enjoy the stream’s peace and solitude shivering, slurred speech and lack of coordi- hold you there. Always keep your feet up, pointed from their property. Share the same courtesy that you nation are early symptoms. To guard against downstream, and swim to calm water before standing. would want. hypothermia, dress in layers using materials that wick moisture away and retain heat, such Leave what you find Report Spills Safety information provided by the as silk, polypropylene, fleece and wool. Every • Leave artifacts and natural objects undisturbed. Avoid Report spills, abandoned drums, and Ohio DNR Division of Watercraft and MCD. introducing non-native species, including live bait, by boater should be able to recognize and know other environmental emergencies how to treat hypothermia. It looks calm and peaceful, but a low dam is cleaning equipment between trips. Watch for this sign to help you find the only 200 feet beyond this boat, well in front of PHOTOS: Dusty Hall, Jordan Hart, Ryan Hulvat 24 hours a day at 1-800-282-9378. access to the Great Miami River. the bridge. Sarah Hippensteel and Shannon Thomas