When I first got the news I thought, “Why not here?” In mid-August ODNR intends to add portions of Paint Creek, Rocky Fork Creek and Rattlesnake Creek as the state’s 16th designated State Scenic River joining the Little Miami River, Big & Little Darby Creeks and others on a distinguished list of pristine rivers and streams. A who’s who’s of the state’s best waterways.

Back in the early 70’s I used to do quite a bit of fishing and canoeing on Rocky Fork Creek below Rocky Fork Lake, back when Seven Caves was still Seven Caves and there were three covered bridges across the creek. From Rocky Fork Creek we would canoe past Seven Caves and several miles into Paint Creek, and with enough courage for young and foolish boys we would shoot the Paint Creek rapids and end up at the rest area on U.S. 50 which is no longer there. From there one of us would hitch-hike back to our car which was either parked at ‘Beaver Dam’ or the McCoppin Mill while the other stayed with the fishing gear and canoe.

That was a long time ago and I recall the unique features of Rocky Fork Creek and the good fishing particularly below the three historic mill dams that were on the creek. A lot has changed since then but I’d venture a guess that not much has changed with the creek. Since those days a Rocky Fork Gorge State Nature Preserve is now along the creek and 7-Caves is now the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Those changes would in fact enhance the uniqueness of the creek.

From the study conducted by ODNR, Paint Creek and its tributaries support 118 fish species, 11 rare and endangered plants, animals and freshwater mussels. It is considered an ‘Exceptional Warmwater Habitat’ which is the highest grade that can be assigned to a stream.

As for Paint Creek, the journey from where Rock Fork meets it is through the Paint Creek Valley from Highland to Ross County and for the most part follows U.S. 50 east from Hillsboro into Chillicothe which could be considered one of the most scenic drives in the state. Nearly 82-miles of the Paint Creek watershed are marked for scenic river designation.

There have been two previous attempts to have Ohio Brush Creek designated as a state scenic river back in the day. The first attempt was killed by the popular nature columnist for The Peoples Defender, Roy Cable, who didn’t think state government should have any business on the creek. The next attempt was in the 90’s led by a local group of concerned citizens which actually gained some traction because the commissioners at the time endorsed the idea and issued a proclamation. However a handful of property owners along Brush Creek strongly objected and the proclamation was rescinded. Since then no one has publicly spoken about the matter but the idea has been circulating for years from wishful thinkers like me and others.

I’ve been informed and it’s pretty much common knowledge that Ohio Brush would easily meet the criteria for scenic rivers designation and numerous studies have been done on the stream and it too is classified as exceptional warmwater habitat and has with numerous threatened and endangered species along its banks and living within its watershed.

Scenic River designation for Ohio Brush Creek would bring a significate boost to Adams County’s image across the state. The sign at the bridges that say “State Scenic Waterway” says a lot. So again I ask myself, ‘Why not here’?

To learn more about ODNR Scenic Rivers go to https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/land-water/rivers-streams-wetlands/scenic-rivers-program.