Video courtesy of Indianhead Watershed Association, www.indianheadwatershed.com

2008 Perkiomen Sojourn Wrap Up:   The water level and the sense of adventure were both high on the Perkie Saturday May 17, 2008 as the Perkiomen Sojourn was preparing to launch. The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy hosted the first Perkiomen Sojourn since the organization was first established in the 1960’s. The Sojourn was sponsored by Tom Keenan and Rowan Keenan of Keenan, Ciccitto and Associates in Collegeville. The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy planned the Sojourn as a way to promote the Perkiomen Creek as a recreational amenity and to reinforce the need for a deep respect for the power of water.

Heavy rains during the week and the day before had increased the water level in the Perkiomen Creek to nearly 4 feet at the USGS Graterford gage with a discharge rate of more than 2000 cubic feet per second by Friday evening. Sojourn planners at the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and Hidden River Outfitters were in constant contact through the night and early morning as the water levels began falling.

By 6:00 AM, the Perkie was still too high for a 9:00 AM launch but dropping quickly. The launch was postponed until 11:00 AM to provide a greater buffer. By launch time, the gage height was below 3 feet and the discharge had dropped considerably. But the Perkie was still moving quickly. After a stern safety lecture and safety instructions, the kayaks were launched from just below the Route 73 bridge at Schwenksville.

The flotilla spent a few minutes circling in the impounded water upstream of the Plank Road dam to make sure everyone felt comfortable on the water. Nine folks who had signed up for the day, decided to try again another time. Twenty-two boats were portaged over the small dam and took off downstream toward Hoy Park where the Skippack Creek joins the Perkie.

Those who paddle the Perkie regularly know that it is usually a low creek and paddlers must often get out of their boats to cross the low spots. There were no low spots on Saturday and the only other time the sojourn stopped was to avoid some downed trees at the Graterford island upstream from the Route 113 bridge.

The 2008 Perkiomen Sojourn could not have taken place without the support and assistance of a number of people. Tom Keenan and Rowan Keenan of Keenan, Ciccitto and Associates in Collegeville sponsored the event. Tom and Rowan’s love of adventure and experience on the water were vital elements of the day. Hidden River Outfitters provided the rented kayaks, safety instruction and guides for the day. Special Thanks to Ted Danforth, Mike Fernandez and Jared Sparks for all their hard work – they even got to practice some rescue techniques! Finally, very special thanks to Drew Gilchrist and PWC Board member, Tom Maslany who gave up a day on the water to help launch boats, run for ice, pick-up reluctant paddlers, take pictures and make sure the hot dogs were on the grill at Hoy Park.