Benscreek Canoe Club

June 27-28 Stonycreek Release
2026-06-27 - 2026-06-28 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
2026 Scheduled Whitewater Releases from Quemahoning Lake are scheduled and listed below. Releases during May and June are highly likely to occur as scheduled (unless maintenance or repairs are needed); releases after the beginning of July are dependent on reservoir levels. Also, releases in September and October are very rare! Also note: the valve can only release up to 500 cfs; and the maximum flow (in the river, measured at the Ferndale gauge) that a release can provide is 1,350 cfs, (which is around 3’ at Foustwell, 4.5’ at Ferndale). If the natural flow is 1,000 cfs, we will ONLY RELEASE additional 350 cfs. If natural flow is over 1,350 cfs, there is NO RELEASE. Any changes in the schedule will be posted here and on our Facebook page ASAP!
Note: If water level at the Quemahoning Reservoir is between 1626.0 and 1626.5 on the Sunday before a planned release, then a release will be made on the following Saturday only; if the water level is greater than 1626.5, then the release will be held on both thefollowing Saturday and Sunday. And if the level at the Quemahoning Reservoir is below 1626 ft above sea level on the Sunday before the scheduled release: the release is cancelled. This may effect late summer releases. Watch here for updates. Also, note that on non-release days, the Stony is boatable when the Ferndale Gauge is above 500 cfs. This is likely accurate. Again, watch here for any possible changes.
2026 Release Schedule

April 4-5 First Release of the Season
April 18-19
May 2-3
May 15-17 Stonycreek Rendezvous
May 23 Special Release (one day only) Memorial Day weekend
May 30-31
June 13-14
June 27-28
July 11-12
July 25-26
August 8-9
August 22-23
September 5-6
September 19-20
October 3-4
October 17-18

June Full Moon Paddle
2026-06-28 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Quemahoning Family Recreation Area
Join the Benscreek Canoe Club for an enchanting full moon paddle, where the shimmering moonlight guides your journey across serene waters. Experience the magic of night paddling while surrounded by nature’s tranquility, perfect for all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening under the stars! Meet around the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area boat launch, roughly 8-11PM.

Beach availability after 8PM.
You must pay the $5 parking fee.
8:20PM Moon rise

July Wave Wednesday
2026-07-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States
The 1st Wednesday of each month (May-September) 5:30-7:30PM.
Description
A monthly gathering intended for paddlers to socialize with other club members, coordinate river trips, discuss upcoming events, sell / swap gear, and to learn basic paddling skills.
Featuring

A fun social gathering vibe w/ music, fire pit, & friends. (think rendezvous on a smaller scale)
Informal learning session for newer boaters (see below)
Club information & registration for both new and existing members

Learning
In an informal setting boaters will have the option to join a club lead hour of training. Training concepts include.

Ferrying, peel outs, & catching eddies
Rolls
Basic wave surfing
Basic play boating
Squirts

July 11-12 Stonycreek Release
2026-07-11 - 2026-07-12 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

July Club Meeting
2026-07-15 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States
(Updated Tuesday, July 15th) Due to poor weather forecasts; July’s BCC meeting is, again, being relocated back to the Crow’s Nest. 6:00 PM. Please help spread the word.
BCC meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

July Middle Yough Trip
2026-07-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, 15470, United States
There will be a Middle Yough Trip on Sunday, July 19th. Meet at RamCat Parking Lot at 10 AM to set shuttle. We will aim to launch around 11:30. Boats do not need to be registered. PFDs are mandatory and must be worn. Bring lunch for on the river. Take-out at Ohiopyle around 3-4.
This is a beautiful stretch of river with sections of flatwater but also class I-II rapids that are great for beginners learning how to handle moving water with waves and rocks. It is also a great paddle for experienced boaters as well. This trip is mainly for BCC members or folks planning on joining our club.

July 25-26 Stonycreek Release
2026-07-25 - 2026-07-26 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

July Full Moon Paddle
2026-07-26 20:00 - 23:00 | Quemahoning Family Recreation Area
Join the Benscreek Canoe Club for an enchanting full moon paddle, where the shimmering moonlight guides your journey across serene waters. Experience the magic of night paddling while surrounded by nature’s tranquility, perfect for all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening under the stars! Meet around the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area boat launch, roughly 8-11PM.

Beach availability after 8PM.
You must pay the $5 parking fee.
7:04PM Moon rise

August Wave Wednesday
2026-08-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

August 8-9 Stonycreek Release
2026-08-08 - 2026-08-09 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

August Middle Yough Trip
2026-08-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, 15470, United States
There will be a Middle Yough Trip on Sunday, August 16th. Meet at RamCat Parking Lot at 10 AM to set shuttle. We will aim to launch around 11:30. Boats do not need to be registered. PFDs are mandatory and must be worn. Bring lunch for on the river. Take-out at Ohiopyle around 3-4.
This is a beautiful stretch of river with sections of flatwater but also class I-II rapids that are great for beginners learning how to handle moving water with waves and rocks. It is also a great paddle for experienced boaters as well. This trip is mainly for BCC members or folks planning on joining our club.

August Club Meeting
2026-08-19 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States
BCC meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

August 22-23 Stonycreek Release
2026-08-22 - 2026-08-23 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

August Full Moon Paddle
2026-08-28 20:00 - 23:00 | Quemahoning Family Recreation Area
Join the Benscreek Canoe Club for an enchanting full moon paddle, where the shimmering moonlight guides your journey across serene waters. Experience the magic of night paddling while surrounded by nature’s tranquility, perfect for all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening under the stars! Meet around the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area boat launch, roughly 8-11PM.

Beach availability after 8PM.
You must pay the $5 parking fee.
8:05PM Moon rise

September Wave Wednesday
2026-09-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

September 5-6 Stonycreek Release
2026-09-05 - 2026-09-06 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

September Club Meeting
2026-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States

September 19-20 Stonycreek Release
2026-09-19 - 2026-09-20 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

September Full Moon Paddle
2026-09-26 20:00 - 23:00 | Quemahoning Family Recreation Area
Join the Benscreek Canoe Club for an enchanting full moon paddle, where the shimmering moonlight guides your journey across serene waters. Experience the magic of night paddling while surrounded by nature’s tranquility, perfect for all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening under the stars! Meet around the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area boat launch, roughly 8-11PM.

Beach availability after 8PM.
You must pay the $5 parking fee.
6:54PM Moon rise

October 3-4 Stonycreek Release
2026-10-03 - 2026-10-04 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

October 17-18 Stonycreek Release
2026-10-17 - 2026-10-18 | Greenhouse Park, Green House Rd, Johnstown, 15905, United States

October Club Meeting
2026-10-21 18:00 - 19:30 | The Crow’s Nest, 510 Tire Hill Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15905, United States
