CAptina Conservancy
Coming Soon!
Captina Creek Aquatic Trail
A drive along State Route 148 from Powhatan Point to State Route 800 south of Barnesville will provide a nice showcase of the diversity in ecology and geology throughout the watershed. On this drive, you will notice the mainstem of Captina Creek weaving along the road. You will see wide valleys and rolling hills at the beginning of your drive. As you continue westward, you will see the landscape change. Rock outcrops are exposed along the banks as the road curves with Captina. Captina Creek’s channel will become narrower and the vegetation will become more dense. Upon nearing State Route 800, the stream disappears from the road as it branches into steep ravines. You may not see water flowing in these upper reaches during parts of the year.This watershed is located in one of the most heavily mined areas in the state of Ohio. Over the century, coal, timber, and oil and gas have been extracted from this unglaciated section of the Appalachian foothills. Captina Creek is home to one of the last breeding populations of the state-endangered Eastern Hellbender. The watershed also
supports a healthy smallmouth bass fishery, along with 55 other species of fish. Of the 56 total fish species identified during a 2009 study by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 17 are pollution intolerant. This same study found over 100 taxa of macroinvertebrates within the Captina Creek watershed making this one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the state of Ohio.
Captina Conservancy would like to thank Belmont County Tourism Council for funding this project.
supports a healthy smallmouth bass fishery, along with 55 other species of fish. Of the 56 total fish species identified during a 2009 study by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 17 are pollution intolerant. This same study found over 100 taxa of macroinvertebrates within the Captina Creek watershed making this one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the state of Ohio.
Captina Conservancy would like to thank Belmont County Tourism Council for funding this project.
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Captina Creek Aquatic Trail Guide Locations
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STOP #1 - MARINA, POWHATAN POINT
Directions: From Ohio State Route 7, turn onto Main Street in Powhatan Point and continue south on Main Street. Turn right to continue west onto Mellott Street. The Marina will be on your left. Geographical coordinates: 39°51’41.14”N, -80°48’16.39”W |
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STOP #2 - CAPTINA CREEK MAINSTREAM. ALLEDONIA
Directions: From Powhatan Point, continue west on Ohio State Route 148 for approximately 12 miles. Turn left to continue south onto Belmont County Road 86 in Alledonia. The stop is located along Belmont County Road 86 just south of Captina Creek and the railroad. Geographical coordinates: 39°53’57.67”N, -80°58’8.96”W |
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STOP #3 – RAVEN ROCKS
Directions: From Alledonia, continue west on State Route 148 for approximately 5 miles. Turn left to continue south onto Belmont County Road 92 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Wayne Township Road 804 (Crum Road) and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles. The stop is located on your left at the Raven Rocks trailhead parking area. Geographical coordinates: 39°52’40.90”N, - 81° 2’18.21”W |
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STOP #4 - RAINBOW’S END
Directions: From Raven Rocks, continue southwest on Wayne Township Road 804 (Crum Road) for approximately 1 mile. Turn left to continue north onto Wayne Township Road 41 (New Castle – Beallsville Road) for approximately 2.5 miles. Wayne Township Road 41 will turn into Ohio State Route 26 in New Castle. Continue north on Ohio State Route 26 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right onto School Land Road and continue east for a quarter mile. Park along this gravel road near the old barn. Continue on foot across the field to Captina Creek. The stop is located at the picnic area next to Captina Creek. Geographical coordinates: 39°54’13.79”N, - 81° 4’12.86”W |
Ohio Aquatic Life Resources
captina Creek Birding trail
The Captina Creek Birding Trail is a do-it-yourself driving tour with signage at five stops within the Captina Creek Watershed.
The American Birding Association describes birding trails as driving routes linking birding locations. According to Birding magazine, birding trails serve as “gateways to conservation and adventure” by combining ecotourism and regional education. Birding has been identified as one of America’s fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities, and this enthusiasm is evident in Ohio. Residents of the Ohio
Valley area do not have to travel far for prime bird-watching opportunities. Belmont County is home to a variety of special bird species, such as tropical migrating birds like the Northern Parula, spotted at Raven Rocks; the Hooded Merganser, seen overwintering at the Powhatan Point Marina; and the Belted Kingfisher, found all along the Captina corridor.
The American Birding Association describes birding trails as driving routes linking birding locations. According to Birding magazine, birding trails serve as “gateways to conservation and adventure” by combining ecotourism and regional education. Birding has been identified as one of America’s fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities, and this enthusiasm is evident in Ohio. Residents of the Ohio
Valley area do not have to travel far for prime bird-watching opportunities. Belmont County is home to a variety of special bird species, such as tropical migrating birds like the Northern Parula, spotted at Raven Rocks; the Hooded Merganser, seen overwintering at the Powhatan Point Marina; and the Belted Kingfisher, found all along the Captina corridor.
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Captina Creek Birding Trail Locations
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STOP #1 - MARINA, POWHATAN POINT
Directions: From Ohio State Route 7, turn onto Main Street in Powhatan Point and continue south on Main Street. Turn right to continue west onto Mellott Street. The Marina will be on your left. Geographical coordinates: 39°51’41.14”N, -80°48’16.39”W |
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STOP #2 - CAPTINA CREEK MAINSTREAM, ALLEDONIA
Directions: From Powhatan Point, continue west on Ohio State Route 148 for approximately 12 miles. Turn left to continue south onto Belmont County Road 86 in Alledonia. The stop is located along Belmont County Road 86 just south of Captina Creek and the railroad. Geographical coordinates: 39°53’57.67”N, -80°58’8.96”W |
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STOP #3 – RAVEN ROCKS
Directions: From Alledonia, continue west on State Route 148 for approximately 5 miles. Turn left to continue south onto Belmont County Road 92 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Wayne Township Road 804 (Crum Road) and continue on this road for approximately 2 miles. The stop is located on your left at the Raven Rocks trailhead parking area. Geographical coordinates: 39°52’40.90”N, - 81° 2’18.21”W |
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STOP #4 - RAINBOW’S END
Directions: From Raven Rocks, continue southwest on Wayne Township Road 804 (Crum Road) for approximately 1 mile. Turn left to continue north onto Wayne Township Road 41 (New Castle – Beallsville Road) for approximately 2.5 miles. Wayne Township Road 41 will turn into Ohio State Route 26 in New Castle. Continue north on Ohio State Route 26 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right onto School Land Road and continue east for a quarter mile. Park along this gravel road near the old barn. Continue on foot across the field to Captina Creek. The stop is located at the picnic area next to Captina Creek. Geographical coordinates: 39°54’13.79”N, - 81° 4’12.86”W |
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STOP #5 – DYSART WOODS
Directions: From Rainbow’s End, continue north on Ohio State Route 26 for approximately 10 miles. In Bethesda, turn right to go east on Ohio State Route 147. Continue on Ohio State Route 147 through the town of Belmont and continue east past Belmont for an additional 5 miles. Turn right to continue south onto Smith Township Road 234 (Cool Hill Road) and take an immediate right onto Smith Township Road 194 (Dysart Wood Road). Continue on Dysart Wood Road for approximately a half mile. The stop will be located at the Dysart Woods parking area on the left. Geographical coordinates: 39°58’56.15”N, - 80°59’56.70”W |
