Paddle the Mill Creek

Paddle the Mill Creek, in the heart of Cincinnati, from Mitchell Ave. to the Barrier Dam. Witness the tug of war between nature and human influences on this long abused but surprisingly resurgent urban stream. Participants should bring their own canoe or kayak, paddle, and PFD. Closed toe shoes are strongly recommended. Bring a bag lunch and plenty of water. We'll stop on a gravel bar for lunch. We should get done around 3:00.

We will paddle approximately 5 miles at a leisurely pace. The trip is mostly flat water or gentle current with a couple of short stretches with riffles. Depending on water level, there will likely be a couple of places where we have to get out and drag the boats through shallows. We will encounter one mitigated low head dam where we'll need to drag or line the boats over large uneven rocks.

The put in doesn't have an address, but it's right across the creek from Queen City Ford, 235 West Mitchell Avenue in Cincinnati. It is a small gravel driveway that runs right alongside the Mitchell Ave. onramp to I-75 S. On some map programs, the driveway is called Canal Ridge Road.

The takeout will be at the Cincinnati Police Academy, 800 Evans St., Cincinnati. The creek access is at the rear of the building, underneath the 8th St. Viaduct.

We'll meet at the put in at 10:00 am, drop the boats and gear, and then shuttle cars to the take out.