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September 19, 2006
TWO OHIO WATERWAYS INCLUDED IN NATIONAL LIST OF
RECOMMENDED WATER TRAILS
 COLUMBUS, OH - Two Ohio waterways popular among paddlesport enthusiasts, the Muskingum River in the southeast and a portion of the Ohio River in the southwest, are included in the American Canoe Association’s (ACA) 2006 list of 12 recommended water trails across the nation, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“Today, more and more Americans are looking for new and exciting ways to enjoy the outdoors,” said Pamela Dillon, executive director of the Virginia-based association. “These 12 designated waterway trails provide outstanding recreation and great paddling opportunities.”
Each summer, the association selects 12 water trails from the U.S. and Canada as ACA-Recommended Water Trails. These trails must meet basic criteria and stand out as particularly good destinations for paddlers. To be eligible, a water trail must meet the following requirements:
- The trail must be a contiguous or semi-contiguous waterway or series of waterways that is open to recreational use by paddlers;
- The trail must have public access points for paddlers;
- The trail must be covered by a map, guide, signage or a website that is of reasonable quality and detail and available to the public.
- Published or printed materials for the trail (e.g. guidebook, map, signs, website) must communicate low-impact ethics to trail users; and
- The trail must be supported and/or managed by one or more organizations.
ACA-recommended water trails earn the right to use a special logo in maps, signs and other printed material related to the trail.
The Muskingum River was designated as the second Ohio Water Trail in July. A 28-mile section of the Kokosing River in Knox County was designated as the first in 2005. The Ohio Water Trails program is seeking to include portions of the Ohio River and other state waterways in the future. Additional information on the Ohio Water Trails Program is available on the Internet at ohiodnr.com.
Formed in 1880, the ACA is the nation’s largest and oldest paddlesports membership association. It supports paddlesport educational and recreational programs, and advocates for sound stewardship of the nation’s waterways.
A list of this year’s 12 ACA-recommended water trails is available on the ACA website at www.americancanoe.org. They include:
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