Marsh Creek

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Map(s)

Marsh Creek.jpgRoad map (823x621).  123K size.

Scenery Pictures of Marsh Creek

Despite the limited acreage, this lake has a HUGE shore line, measuring over 11 miles; longer than Round Valley.  In late summer, this distance is cut down by 3 to 4 mi, thanks to the weeds.  There are 3 main branches off of the main lake.  These branches are weedy, but calm.  The northeastern branch is shallow, dirty, and at times stinky.  If the water level is high enough, you can paddle into a small stream.  The narrow eastern branch is heavily tree-lined.  There is condo (townhouse?) development at the very end.  The southeastern sub-branch is very shallow, and has the most water fowl.  Be careful, because I have gotten stuck here on several occasions.  The southwestern sub-branch is nothing special.

Another boat launch area is in the western sub-branch, which also has picnic tables.  From a gel-coated boat standpoint, this launch area / launch spot, has gone from usable to bad: The shoreline is a lined with small rocks.

The northwestern branch is the largest, extending beyond Styer Road (a.k.a. Marshall Road).  Styer Road has a double-arched bridge.  Beyond the bridge, it gets narrow, stronger current (north to south flow of Marsh Creek), but more important: rocks just below the surface (N40 05.339 W75 43.819), which are a problem for gelcoats.  Do NOT expect to get this far north in the summer: On Independence Day, 2008, the weeds were so bad that they blocked my northern progress, 1/3 mi south of Little Conestoga Road.

Lots of trees in this branch.  Plus nice houses and foliage.  On some trips, I saw 2 very large white water fowl with black markings.  Between making whale-like noises and NOT harassing me, I suspect that they are American geese.  (Maybe Andean?  Any ornithologists out there?)  Be careful in this area during the month of September (goose hunting season).  Bullets do not understand park boundaries.

As of my 8-May-2004 trip, there were 2 new developments:
  • Numerous osprey sittings (I counted at least 6 different birds),
  • HUGE snapping turtle sittings.  These turtles were much larger than the hatches on most kayaks.

Fees

See the Lake Nockamixon page for PA State Park fees.

Directions

Take route 95 south, over the Delaware River to exit 46B.  This is route 1 south.  Take route 1 to the PA Turnpike; this is route 276, exit 351 (28) of the turnpike.  Head west to Harrisburg, getting off at exit 312 (23); this is the Downingtown exit.  Pay the $3.25 toll (as of Aug 2004) & head north on route 100.  At the 4th light, make a left onto Ticonderoga Rd(?).  (This road is new & not on the linked map.)  Take it all the way to the end, and make a left onto Park Road.

Follow Park Road into Marsh Creek.  Once you enter the park, you will be driving along the lake.  Turn right into the first parking lot, after seeing the marina on your right.

Parking

Good; I have never had a problem when arriving early in the morning.  If possible, park near the benches, to the left of the concession stand; this minimizes your walk to the launch area.  Alternatively, park to the right of the concession stand; it is a short walk to the water with no steep drop off at the end.

Make the mistake of coming late in the day, on a summer weekend, and the condition changes to horrid.  The park rents peddle boats, sailboats, and cheap kayaks.  Add fishermen, picnickers, and beach goers.  Be smart & get here early.

Distance to the Launch Area

It is a 15 to 30 sec walk from the parking area, depending on where you park.

Restrooms

There are restrooms in between the concession stand and the marina, to right of the launch area.  They are closed during the off season.  (I suspect that the 'off season' starts in Nov.)  From late fall to early spring, there is a port-a-john.  There are also restrooms at the western boat launch.

Status of Launch Area

Course sand.  But when the water is low, as it was in mid-October 2001, there are a number of stones mixed in.

Wind Conditions

The 3 branches are not bad, but watch out for the main part of the lake.  For its size, this can be THE windiest lake, with occasional whitecaps.  But on most summer days, it will be as smooth as glass.  Before paddling, visit weather.com to get the wind forecast for Lyndell, PA; then add 5 to 10 mph to the wind speed.

Power Boats

Electric boats only; no gas boats.

Foliage

Good, but to be fair, I went several days prior to peak.

Rolling Practice?

If any place, practice in the large, northwestern branch.  Most areas are either too weedy, or too windy.  The southern shore of the eastern branch is also nice.

More Information . . .

For more info about Marsh Creek Lake, go to Marsh Creek State Park.