Common Hazards To have a safe trip, boaters must be aware of the various types of hazards encountered on any stream. Learn to recognize these hazards and manage your risk appropriately.

International Scale of Foot Entrapments Strainers Safety Tips If your boat capsizes, do not River obstructions that allow water Outdoor Ethics River Difficulty • Never boat alone. attempt to stand or walk if to flow through but block or “strain” Plan ahead Dispose of waste properly— The American Whitewater Affiliation rates river • Wear a lifejacket at all times, particularly in people and boats are known as boating difficulty based on conditions, hazards, you are in swift-moving water. • Consult a river guidebook or map. Scout Pack it out moving water. By law, children under 10 strainers. Overhanging branches, availability for rescue, and temperatures. Flooding You might slip and pin a foot the area prior to boating it. • Repackage food to minimize waste. must wear life jackets of an appropriate size. between submerged rocks. downed trees, log jams, and flooded may change the stream’s rating to a higher • Call local contacts to find out about current • Never throw cigarette butts, fishing line, bait classification. Boaters should have advanced Once pinned, the force of the islands all are potential strainers. All • Dress for the water temperature. Bring an extra conditions or events that may affect your trip. containers, or any other garbage into the water. paddling skills to attempt any stream over Class II. change of clothing with you in a waterproof current can push your body under water and strainers should be avoided, especially in swift water. • Choose a stream classification that matches • Plastics are especially dangerous to wildlife. Class I: Few riffles and small waves; easy boating. bag. Pack your cell phone in this bag. hold it there. Always keep your feet up, pointed your boating skills. Baggies, six-pack rings, and other clear Class II: Waves up to three feet with wide channels; downstream, and swim to calm water before • Neoprene shoes or tennis shoes with woolen Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia plastics float on the water — invisible hazards easy rapids. standing. • Check for river warning and flood information. socks are recommended footwear. Sudden immersion in cold water waterdata.usgs.gov (see Real-time Water Flow) to fish, birds, and other wildlife. Class III: High, irregular waves with narrow passages; can be deadly. The initial “cold requires scouting and constant maneuvering. • File a “float plan” with a reliable person, Floods and Swift Water shock” can cause immediate, Prepare for extreme weather, Leave what you find Class IV: Long, difficult rapids with constricted indicating where you are going and when you will leave and return. Remember to contact Novice paddlers should never boat on streams involuntary gasping, hyperventilation, hazards, and emergencies • Appreciate artifacts and natural objects but passages in turbulent water; scouting necessary; when water is spilling out of the banks. High leave them undisturbed. rescue difficult. the person once you have returned safely. panic, and vertigo — all of which • Know the locations of all dams and hazards. water causes hazards such as lowhead dams can result in water inhalation and Be prepared to portage (carry your boat • Avoid introducing non-native species, including Class V: Difficult, long, and very violent rapids with • Do not overload or unevenly load your boat. to become even more dangerous. Unseen drowning. It can also cause sudden changes in blood around) these hazards. live bait, by cleaning equipment between trips. highly congested routes; scouting must be done from Keep the weight in the boat centered from obstacles such as floating logs or submerged pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm that also may shore; rescue presents a hazard to life. side to side and bow to stern. The lower and • Be prepared for any unknown event. Know how Respect wildlife trees may also threaten a boater. Flood levels result in death. The longer you are immersed in cold to get to roads if you must “walk out.” Know Class VI: Most dangerous rapids; boating is nearly closer the load in the boat is to the boat’s • Observe from a distance; don’t feed, follow, are monitored throughout the state. Know the water, the harder it is to control your body. Manual the local emergency phone number and know impossible and life-threatening. centerline, the more stable it will be. or approach wildlife. water conditions before you go. dexterity and coordination deteriorate rapidly, and where you are along the trail in case you need • Always maintain three points of contact (for waterdata.usgs.gov (see Real-time Water Flow) within 30 minutes, hypothermia (cooling of the body’s to request emergency assistance. • Control pets or leave them at home. example, two hands and one foot touching core temperature) can begin. Loss of consciousness Be aware of all Ohio boating laws as Be considerate of other visitors Paddling Terminology the boat) while moving around in the boat. and death with or without drowning can result. Abutment – Supporting structure of a bridge Lowhead Dams and Waterfalls well as any local rules and ordinances • Avoid boisterous behavior. Let nature’s • Do not attempt to stand or walk in swift water. The best prevention for cold water immersion is to CFS – Cubic feet per second; measurement Never attempt to boat over • Be sure you have the required safety equip sounds prevail. of water flow • Be prepared to swim. If the water looks too a dam or waterfall. Lowhead take all measures to avoid capsizing your boat. Keep ment onboard including a properly fitted, hazardous to swim, then don’t boat on it! dams can range from a few your life jacket securely fastened to help keep your Respect the privacy and rights Chute – Clear passage through rapids U.S. Coast Guard approved, lifejacket for of landowners • NEVER boat over lowhead dams. inches to a couple of yards in head above water if you fall overboard. each person. Confluence – Place where two or more streams • Although the access points highlighted in this flow together height. Small dams can look You don’t have to be submerged to succumb to • Portage (carry your boat around) any section guide are located on public property, most of harmless, particularly in hypothermia — wind chill, rain, and perspiration can Travel on durable surfaces—rock, Hydraulic – Recirculating current formed when of water about which you feel uncertain. the shoreline along the water trail is privately water drops over swollen streams, but they are very dangerous contribute to the condition. Uncontrollable shivering, gravel, and sand • If you capsize, hold on to your boat unless it owned. Respect the privacy and rights of Portage – Carry boat around some hazard in because of the turbulence at the base of the slurred speech, and lack of coordination are early • Use existing, improved access sites. presents a life-threatening situation. If floating landowners by obtaining permission before the river dam. Boats as well as people may become symptoms. To guard against hypothermia, dress in • When using a natural river bank to launch in current, position yourself on the upstream entering any privately owned land. River left – As you look downstream in the trapped in this hydraulic. Know the location of layers using materials that wick moisture away and your boat, minimize your impact by staying side of the capsized boat. • Many landowners enjoy the stream’s peace direction the water is flowing, the left side of lowhead dams and waterfalls. Carry your boat retain heat, such as silk, polypropylene, fleece, and clear of vegetation or mud. and solitude from their property. Share the the river • Carry plenty of drinking water. around the hazard and launch at a safe distance • Don’t wander while portaging. Stay on the wool. Every boater should be able to recognize and same courtesy that you would want. A friendly River right – As you look downstream in the • Avoid overexertion and guard against downstream. Scout a river or stream in advance know how to treat hypothermia. trail if there is one. direction the water is flowing, the right side of wave or quiet greeting is usually welcome. extreme weather conditions. of any boating trip and avoid these hazards. the river

Mahoning River Water Trail Mahoning Trails for Ohioans: A Plan for the Future Class I A statewide venture to improve existing trails and ensure smart planning of future trails The Mahoning River Water Trail designation River Trails are an important component was made possible of Ohio’s outdoor recreation system. through a partnership They come in various lengths, run with Trumbull County Water Trail through different environments, and MetroParks, Newton accommodate a multitude of outdoor Township, Newton Falls City, activities from hiking and biking to Braceville Township, Warren Township, horseback riding and paddling. Trails Warren City, Trumbull County Commissioners, are managed and maintained by a Fishing A Stream The head and tail of the variety of groups including all levels pool are good places to Trumbull County Planning Commission, MRCI, If you haven’t considered packing a fishing pole target bass and saugeyes. and Eastgate Council of Governments. of government and many trail for your next float trip, maybe you should. Streams organizations. The 23-mile Mahoning River Water Trail traverses provide some of the best fishing in Ohio — if you Recognizing the many benefits of a know where to look. Fish hang out where they The shallow bar formed through Trumbull County beginning in Newton on the inside bend creates Township at Foster MetroPark and ending at statewide trail system, and in an effort can eat, and where they can eat depends on a current break that holds to increase awareness of the benefits the current. POOL fish on the downstream side. the Packard Park in the city of Warren. With it flowing by forested groves, fields of corn and of water trails, various divisions within Predatory fish (smallmouth bass, rock bass, The deep scour hole ODNR initiated the Ohio Water Trails formed on the outside bend wheat, suburban streets, and beautiful wetland saugeye) feed where the current sweeps prey is a good spot to find catfish complexes, this trail is full of natural beauty as program. The goal of this program is to past them. Some fish seek shelter close to the and saugeyes. well as history. Other points of interest along the promote awareness of public paddling current; they dart into the current to feed and out trail include the Newton Falls Covered Bridge, the access by partnering with local of the current to rest. Other species of fish aren’t built to 2nd oldest covered bridge in the State of Ohio, communities to develop designated fight the current and prefer deeper pools with slower-moving water. and remnants of the Pennsylvania and Ohio water trails on Ohio waterways. Predatory fish wait in deeper water at the head of the pool (just below the Canal. This river offers wonderful paddling, Water trail plans are initiated at the local level: Communities, user groups, or park districts recommend riffles) or at the tail of the pool for prey to wash past them. Present your bait by fishing, wildlife watching, and other recreational existing sites for a proposed trail. The Ohio Water Trails team evaluates the trail, working with local casting upstream, either up into the riffles or near the swifter current at the tail opportunities. partners to ensure safe, suitable access. The goal is to designate trails across the state and produce of the pool, and allow the current to deliver it to fish waiting below. publications such as this one that promote safe access and wise use. Rocks, logs, and other obstructions in the pool provide places out of the current for fish to rest while they wait for prey to sweep past. Cast upstream of these rest areas, allowing the current to carry the bait past the fish. Retrieve as close to A paddler’s the obstruction as possible without snagging. Panfish (sunfish, crappies) and bottom feeders (catfish, suckers, carp) prefer map and guide Find more about deeper pools where they don’t have to fight the current. Target these species Trails for Ohioans and by fishing natural bait in the deepest area of pools. to designated the Ohio WaterTrails For food, camping, program on the ODNR Natural and artificial baits are effective for stream fishing, depending on and canoe rental FLOW access along the website. the species of fish you are seeking. Bottom feeders prefer natural baits information contact the that are typical to the habitat. Crayfish, minnows, hellgrammites, and Trumbull County Tourism Bureau Mahoning River ohiodnr.com worms work anywhere in Ohio. Predators and sunfish strike natural ExploreTrumbullCounty.com • 866-360-1552 ohiodnr.com/watercraft and artificial bait with equal enthusiasm. Smaller is better for Water Trail in artificial baits. Small jigs, in-line spinners and crankbaits that Structures such The information contained in this guide is believed to be accurate. match the color of prey found within the stream are as fallen trees The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Trumbull County MetroParks are not responsible for any inaccuracies. Interpretation Trumbull County. good choices. attract fish on the and use of the map and its contents are the responsibility of the user. downstream side. 04/2012 • 50,000 • Unit cost .15 Mosquito Lake

The Mahoning River maintains its 3 Braceville Nature Preserve – River Right establishment as Canoe City and constructed a wooden building to house the canoes where the business operated natural quality as it winds through State Route 5 for some time. In June of 1993, Ohio Edison donated its wooded, rural, and urban areas in Lat 41.216824 N. Leavitt Road property to MetroParks and retained an Long -80.944532 easement for its substation facility. Just after Canoe City Trumbull County. Beginning in MetroPark is the last dam on the water trail. Please portage Mahoning River Water Trail Newton Township, this water trail This river access site is currently NOT open to the public, to the left. but when it comes available it will have a canoe and kayak includes long deep pools, riffles, and launch, parking for canoe and kayak trailers, and picnic K Leavittsburg Dam: scenic views. Opportunities abound tables.. The launch site is expected to be completed Portage to left; watch for signs. by 2016. for wildlife viewing and fishing. The L North Leavitt Road Bridge:

proximity to the Western Reserve 4.32 miles to next put-in/take-out Stay to middle of North Leavitt Road Bridge; abutments are located river right and river left. Greenway Trail and Bicycle Route J You will traverse under State Route 5 By-Pass and float by two of the more than 20 golf courses in Trumbull M Parkman Road Bridge: TRAIL AT A GLANCE makes this Ohio Water Trail an ideal County. Paddlers regularly encounter geese and other Stay to middle of the Parkman Road Bridge; 45 water fowl near this access point. Featuring over 71 acres SITE RIVER ACCESS DISTANCE PARK INFORMATION paddle/pedal destination. abutments are located river right and river left. Western Reser of generous woods, open meadows, and an oxbow lake 534 Greenway with delicate wetlands, the flat and gently rolling land- 422 Trumbull County MetroParks 6.04 miles scape along the river offers great opportunities for 1 Foster MetroPark 330-675-3072 1 Foster MetroPark – River Right trumbullmetroparks.org exploration, education, and exercise. The property is E2 Emergency Access Site – River Right Sunside Trumbull County MetroParks located about 8 miles in either direction from Foster City of Newton Falls 3940 Damascus-Newton Falls Road MetroPark and Canoe City MetroPark. Lynwood Drive Parcel, City of Warren 2 Rotary Park 2.9 miles 330-872-0806 Trailhead Newton Falls, Ohio 44444 ci.newtonfalls.oh.us ve Lat 41.266937 Lat 41.135395 F State Route 82 Bridge: Long -80.846940 Trumbull County MetroParks Braceville Nature Long -80.966218 Stay to middle of State Route 82 Bridge; abutments 305 3 4.32 miles 330-675-3072 are located on river right and river left. For all emergencies please dial 9-1-1 Preserve trumbullmetroparks.org 305 This river access site has a canoe and kayak launch, This site is emergency access for law enforcement G Old Rail Bridge: picnic tables, portable restroom facilities, informational and rescue personnel only. Please pull-off to river Thomas A. Swift Trumbull County MetroParks kiosk, and ample parking for canoe/kayak trailers. This Stay to left or right of Old Rail Bridge; abutment 4 3.66 miles 330-675-3072 is located in middle. right in an emergency and please wait there for MetroPark trumbullmetroparks.org site is adjacent to Bicycle Route J which traverses emergency crews to arrive. Trumbull County roads to the Trumbull County/ Canoe City Trumbull County MetroParks Ashtabula County line. 5 4.08 miles 330-675-3072 MetroPark trumbullmetroparks.org 6.04 miles to next put-in/take-out 4 Thomas A Swift MetroPark – River Left 6 – River Right City of Warren Deer and turkey are often seen in this area. Burbank Park 1.67 miles 45 Trumbull County MetroParks City of Warren 6 Burbank Park 330-841-2316 Kent State MetroParks received its second park as a donation warren.org from the Trumbull Canoe Trails Club in 1984. At the 870 Benedict-Leavittsburg Road 3130 Elm Hill Drive NW University time, the park was known as Canoe Trail Park in Leavittsburg, Ohio 44430 Warren, OH 44485 City of Warren honor of the organization which had worked to raise Packard Park End 330-841-2316 Trumbull Campus Lat 41.238975 Lat 41.268021 7 funds for its acquisition. Several improvements were warren.org Long -80.915873 Long -80.841812 made throughout the mid 1980’s that included

eBi cl Routecy J clearing existing scrub, installing a parking lot, This river access site has a canoe/kayak launch, This river access site currently does not have a canoe/ TOTAL DISTANCE 22.67 miles building a small hiking trail, digging a small water a half mile walking trail, arboretum, picnic tables, and an kayak launch area but plans are to construct one along Lynwood 82 5 informational kiosk. well, and installing the river’s first canoe launch past with a dedicated parking lot for the water trail. This 422 Drive E2 Burbank the Lake Milton Dam. 3.66 miles to next put-in/take-out 33-acre park gives visitors a chance to enjoy the following amenities: ballfields, playgrounds, and restrooms. 6 Park The projects were funded through the Ohio Department Paddlers will float under rail bridges and pass an old The launch site is expected to be completed by 2016. of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation canal system. Bald eagles have been viewed feeding in Eagle Creek Fund grant. Since its original construction, the parking this location. As an open meadow park positioned along 1.67 miles to last take-out lot has been expanded, and now features a portable Canoe City the river, Thomas A. Swift MetroPark offers tremendous On this stretch of river you will be guided through urban lavatory. Route J was established along East River P education and conservation opportunities. The developed areas while enjoying birdwatching. Keep an eye out for MetroPark Road in Newton Township, delineating a network of 12.5-acre park located in Braceville Township consists of various ducks and great blue heron. N bicycle-friendly roads between Marietta along the relatively flat grassland and is bordered by the river to the 534 Ohio River and Conneaut on Lake Erie. Packard east and the lightly-traveled Benedict-Leavittsburg Road P : K NW Bridge Road Bridge to the west. Trees enshroud the low-lying and sometimes Stay to middle of the the Bridge Road Bridge; Park A 7 State Route 534 Bridge: muddy riverbanks, an area that has also been designated abutments are located river right and river left. Stay to left or right of State Route 534 bridge; as a floodplain. J abutment is located in middle. E1 5 B Newton Falls Covered Bridge: Thomas A. Swift Woodview Warren Stay to middle of Newton Falls Covered Bridge; L M E1 Emergency Access Site – River Right 7 Packard Park – River Left MetroPark 4 abutments are located on river right and river left. Circle City of Warren W. Market St. C Woodview Circle Parcel, Warren Township H East Main Street Bridge: 1703 Mahoning Avenue NW Stay to middle of East Main Street Bridge; Lat 41.247686 Warren, OH 44483 abutments are located on river right and river left. Long -80.901314 OHIO 82 5 Lat 41.247368 G For all emergencies please dial 9-1-1 Long -80.832283 TURNPIK USGS Gauge This site is emergency access for law enforcement This river access site has a canoe/kayak take-out area Station 2 Rotary Park – River Left and rescue personnel only. Please pull-off to river along with restrooms, picnic tables and trash receptacles. E Braceville 03094000 right in an emergency and please wait there for In addition, this park gives visitors a chance to enjoy the 3 City of Newton Falls emergency crews to arrive. following amenities in its 47 acres: ballfields, pavilions, Nature Preserve 1025 First Street tennis courts, playgrounds and fitness equipment. Newton Falls, OH 44444 You will enjoy easy paddling in this stretch of river while 534 F 45 Lat 41.196029 H Nelson Mosier Road Bridge: passing urban areas of Warren. This is the last stop on the 209 Long -80.967473 Stay to left or right of the Nelson Mosier Bridge; Mahoning River Water Trail. Please exit river left. This river access site does not currently have a abutment is located in the middle. E formalized canoe and kayak launch, but there is a J Mahoning River portage around the dam. The site contains an State Route 5 Bridge #2: Stay to left or right of the State Route 5 Bridge #2; undeveloped put-in/take-out point, picnic tables, abutment is located in the middle. D and parking for canoe/kayak trailers. The launch site RESOURCES 5 is expected to be completed by 2016. EMERGENCY NUMBER 9-1-1 2 Rotary Park 2.9 miles to next put-in/take-out Newton C Just before Rotary Park in Newton Falls you will find 5 Canoe City MetroPark – River Left Trumbull County MetroParks LEGEND the second oldest covered bridge in Ohio, which WATER CONDITIONS 330-675-3072 B cle Route J Trumbull County MetroParks trumbullmetroparks.org Falls Bicy was constructed over the river in 1831. A walkway 74 North Leavitt Road Water Trail was added to the side of the bridge in 1922. Fishing Leavittsburg, OH 44430 A enthusiasts should try catching smallmouth bass, Trumbull County Tourism Bureau panfish, and pike close to this park. Justafter Rotary Lat 41.241697 LOCAL INFORMATION 866-360-1552 1 Water Trail Access exploretrumbullcounty.com Branch Park is the first of two dams on thewater trail. Long -80.881426 W. Portage to the left. This river access site has an ADA accessible floating E1 Emergency Water Access boating laws, ODNR Division of Watercraft dock for all types of boats including canoes and kayaks. D scenic rivers, AND 1-877-4BOATER Newton Falls Dam: Along with the floating dock, ammenities include a walking A Boating Hazard Portage to left; watch for signs. safety tips ohiodnr.com/watercraft trail, picnic tables, grills, and an informational kiosk. Branch E E. Western Reserve Greenway Turnpike Bridge: 4.08 miles to next put-in/take-out fishing, hunting, ODNR Division of Wildlife Stay to middle of Turnpike Bridge; abutments are AND 1-800-WILDLIFE Paddlers will float under State Route 5 By-Pass for O located on river right and river left. wildlife vIEWing ohiodnr.com/wildlife HIO Bicycle Route J the last time as you start heading into more densely F State Route 5 Bridge #1: populated areas of Trumbull County. Canoe City has a TURNPIKE US Geological Survey Stay to middle of the State Route 5 Bridge #1; long history of recreation. Early on, the park served real-time water 534 45 Parking abutments are located on river right and river left. 1-888-275-8747 as the site of Mahoning Park, a regionally popular flow conditions waterdata.usgs.gov amusement park. Eventually, the amusement park closed Public Restrooms and its structures dwindled away. Over time, however, Trumbull County MetroParks the area became popular with canoeists. Because of the WESTERN RESERVE 330-675-3072 USGS Gauge Picnic Facilities need to portage around the Leavittsburg Dam, canoeists GREENWAY trumbullmetroparks.org Station routinely attained permission from Ohio Edison to use the area as a stopping point along their treks up and down the 03091500 USGS Gauge Station river. Fox and other woodland creatures may be sighted Trumbull County MetroParks BICYCLE ROUTE J 330-675-3072 in this section of the water trail. trumbullmetroparks.org 1 mi In 1984, a business person secured a lease from Ohio Edison to establish a private canoe livery on the 1 Foster MetroPark northern section of the park. The operator referred to the