August 2025 Urban Stream Adventure with the Mill Creek Yacht Club

Paddling with the expert guides of the Mill Creek Yacht Club (MCYC) is the best way to experience Mill Creek wonders while learning about our long-abused but surprisingly resurgent urban stream. Join the Commodore and other MCYC veterans as we embark on the this public stream adventure from Caldwell Playground Park in Carthage to Salway Recreation Area in Spring Grove Village. This section of the creek takes paddlers through several mitigated low head dams and rocky riffles in addition to both urban industry (Ivorydale) and nature.

The paddle will cover a distance of approximately 4 miles and we will spend at least 3 hours on the water, plus about an hour of combined time on the land before and after paddling. The end time of this event is approximate--please allow for extra time between this end time and other commitments. Paddlers will be asked to arrive 15 minutes before the start in order to shuttle to the put in.

Registration for the paddle is open now through noon on Thursday, August 14, or until all available seats have been reserved. Paddle details are subject to change based on river conditions on the day of the event.

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure on the Mill Creek. Contact Linda Keller at the Mill Creek Alliance at bGtlbGxlciB8IHRoZW1pbGxjcmVla2FsbGlhbmNlICEgb3Jn or 513-563-8800 with questions about the event.

See below for important safety information before registering*. ________________________________________________________________________

Our current MCA water quality monitoring program results indicate that the Mill Creek meets secondary recreational contact standards. (The secondary contact recreation classification describes aquatic activities when immersion is unlikely, such as boating, wading, and rowing.) Until we are able to achieve primary contact standards for all sections of the creek (under which swimming and full body immersion is considered safe), we recommend paddlers take care not to ingest or swim in the water and wash carefully after recreation activity.

In full disclosure, there are inherent risks involved in paddling local streams. Paddlers may need to climb out of the canoe to get past shallow spots and low-head dams. You will need to be sure-footed in some places. Potential safety hazards include sudden drop-offs, hidden holes, foot entrapments, slippery algae, submerged obstacles, jagged objects and sealed bottles with volatile ingredients. Germicidal gel and a simple first-aid kit will be available.

* In 2012, Ohio EPA recommended no contact with waters of the Mill Creek because it can have high levels pathogens from time to time, especially within 48 to 72 hours of a rainstorm heavy enough to cause combined sewer overflows. Many improvements have been made since 2012 but Ohio EPA has not yet lifted these recommendations.

It is your personal choice on whether to participate, based largely on the strength of your immune system and your willingness to take a calculated risk. If you have an open cut or weakened immunities, you should not go. You should be 18 or older to be on the water with us or be paddling with a parent/guardian.

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