Two years after it was first published, the Paddler's Edition of the Stream and Lake Map of Pennsylvania now is being made available for purchase.

The map, the first and only highly detailed map of its kind, illustrates 45,000 miles of streams and 300 lakes. The special edition features highlighted, navigable streams and rivers in addition to their degrees of difficulty, access points, dams and waterfalls.

Whether canoeing, kayaking or rafting, Pennsylvania paddlers should find the map to be valuable and convenient as they drift along the state's scenic waterways.

Developed by Pennsylvania State University Professor Howard Higbee, the legendary illustration of Pennsylvania's streams and lakes was once believed to be irreproducible when the original drawing and printing plates vanished after the maps printing company went out of business. Furthermore, because the existing copies had been printed in non-photographic blue ink, it was considered to have been impossible to create new printing plates from them.

Karl Ings and Larry Seaman of the Vivid Publishing Company in Williamsport, discovered the emergence of innovative printing technology that allows reproduction of non-photographic blue ink. After testing proofs, the duo was able to resurrect Higbee's 3-foot-by-5-foot masterpiece and make it available to Pennsylvania paddlers for their use and enjoyment.

For more information and to order a Higbee map, visit the PA Council of Trout Unlimited website.

7/6/2007