August 2026 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 this urban 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 13, 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 Owen Nyswonger at the Mill Creek Alliance at onyswonger@themillcreekalliance.org or 513-563-8800 with questions about the event.

See below for important safety information before registering*. ________________________________________________________________________

Mill Creek Alliance administers a robust water quality monitoring program. Our current data results indicate that the Mill Creek meets secondary recreational contact standards. This means that while the water is not safe for swimming in or ingesting, paddling, wading, and fishing are generally okay. We recommend paddlers wash carefully after recreation activities in the Mill Creek.

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 and jagged objects.

MCA monitors stream conditions and CSO activity before each paddling trip to determine if the event can be held with a reasonable balance of risk and caution.

If you have an open wound or weakened immunities, you should consider an alternative way to experience the Mill Creek. Participants must be 18 or older to register alone, children over 14 may attend with a parent or guardian who is also paddling.