Commute via Conodoguinet Creek

"Commuters Guide Volume 1"

<<SARCASM DISCLOSURE...However, all the paddling information is true.>>

Many folks consider green alternatives for commuting to work. Walking, bicycling, sharing rides and taking public transportation are the usual considerations. By why not kayak? Let's explore the logistics and feasibility involved with paddling to work. Today we will look at using the Conodoguinet Creek which conveniently serves anyone from Carlisle to Camp Hill passage east to Harrisburg.

Travel from Carlisle area to Harrisburg area in Pennsylvania
Instead of I-81 with the dreaded truck traffic, consider paddling from Carlisle to Harrisburg (or any points in between) via the "Conodoguinet Creek Expressway."

If you aren't familiar with the creek, the name sounds similar to "Can I go in it?" It is pronounced CON-oh-do-gwin-it. This Indian word means "a long way with many bends" and this creek lives up to its name. So maybe this is not an expressway, but rather an idyllic commute.

Map of entire creek with dam pointed out

The "Connie" originates in Horse Valley close to Letterkenney Reservoir. The creek flows west to east. It rambles down the Great Valley north of Roxbury through a handful of gaps crosscutting the divide between the Appalachian Mountain and Great Valley sections and drops a total of 1,700 feet at the confluence with the Susquehanna River.

For this discussion, I have divided the creek into two parts due to a dam between Rt. 74 and Rt. 34. We will be looking at just the eastern half of the creek--downstream from the Carlisle Raw Water Intake Dam. Unfortunately most of the steep gradient occurs before this dam. But, on the bright side, the eastern part of the creek widens up, so strainers are no longer an issue. By Mechanicsburg, the creek's shape is serpentine and as wide as many rivers.

The logistics involved are based on a water level of at least 1.7' using USGS Hogestown gauge. Any lower and there are areas you may scrape or have to walk. Fun fact: It takes 20 hours to flow from the headwaters to the Hogestown gauge. So if a downpour occurred at noon on Tuesday near Roxbury, the water wouldn't hit Mechanicsburg until 8AM the next morning. Another fun fact is that 8' is the flood stage. Really, if the gauge is over 4' you might want to consider working from home rather than paddling to work unless you are fully insured and an expert paddler.

Wildlife You Might See
I have seen at some point or multiple times the following:

• American Bald Eagle
• Smallmouth Bass
• Tiger Muskellunge
• Catfish
• Rock Bass
• Golden Rainbow Trout
• Egrets
• Great Blue Heron
• Kingfisher
• Cedar Waxwing
• Woodpecker
• Box Turtles

The Route

Over 35 miles of passage on the Conodoguinet from Creekview Park in Carlisle to Harrisburg

Trip Options

Commute Times
So here's where it gets interesting. Keep in mind we have optimum water conditions, great weather, no headwind and you are paddling at a comfortable speed the whole time (we don't want you all sweaty for work).

• Carlisle (Creekview Park) to Midtown Harrisburg (Maclay Street) will take 12 hours--yes, one way. It is over 37 miles. In contrast, you could drive on I-81 and be there in 30 minutes.
• Maybe you live near Willow Mill Park and work at Wegman's. The paddle would only take you two hours--much more reasonable (until you have to go home).
• Perhaps you live off Orrs Bridge Road where the Connodoguinet Youth Park is and work at Holy Spirit Hospital. Let's hope you aren't a doctor on-call because that paddle would take you a little over 2 hours to arrive at Siebert Park (and then you get to climb up that dang hill to Center Street).
• If you live in Camp Hill near Siebert Park and work in downtown Harrisburg, you are looking at close to an hour-and-a-half commute. That's not so bad until someone steals your ride.

Final Thought
I think the most pleasant commute would be from Carlisle to Silver Springs Commons. It is a scenic trip. You miss the Middlesex traffic, the fast food temptations and it would take a measly four hours. Who wouldn't want to start paddling at 4AM to make it to work by 8AM?

Resources
Map
Gauge data