Portage Around Dam Upgraded on Stonycreek

Paddlers no longer have to maneuver down a tricky, rock-filled embankment to reenter Stonycreek at the Border Dam portage, thanks to a project undertaken by the Johnstown-area Benscreek Canoe Club. An elegant paved ramp was constructed mostly during the week of Sept. 7 and was wrapped up Sept. 14—just in time to elicit grateful oohs and ahs from paddlers enjoying the Sept. 19 release.

A grant from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy funded the ramp, and the club engineered and constructed it, club president Mike Cook explains. Scott Rugh designed the ramp, submitted the plans, and did all of the permitting, Mike says, and labor was provided by Scott, Dave O'Leary, Greg Gadula, Clark Fisher, Ron Morris, Rick Ames, Ed Blizzard, Dave Poli, and Keith Lecky.