Cedar - Clay Hole, Cedar Falls (PnP)


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Cedar,

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Clay Hole, Cedar Falls (PnP)

Class II
0.01 Miles
Avg Gradient 12 fpm

IA, Cedar River, Clay Hole


IA, Cedar River, Clay Hole
Photo of Steve Weliver by Ty Graham taken March '03 @ 2200

Gauge Information

Name Range Updated Level
Cedar River at Waterloo, IA 500 - 4300 cfs 00h51m 6230 cfs (rc= 1.3 )
All features tend to flatten out at these flows.


River Description

This playspot is named after the "Clay Equipment Co." which was located next to the river years ago. The river bottom in this section is bedrock with some sand & gravel.


All of the Clay Hole features are created by an old "beautification" dam. It's intact on river left and broken out in the center, ("D" hole, which is where we do most of our playing). Everything from the center to river left is fun and safe. The only portion we've found to be nasty is in the "you're on your own area" - it's shallow, has many sharp rocks, a pinning spot (bridge pier), and one deep hole that WILL recirculate you. But, there are a few of us who venture in for a thashing every now and then. One can side surf out either end so it's not terminal.

We have removed all rebar, head-banging rocks and trash on river left out to the "D" hole. Stuff continues to get thrown or washed in or get exposed with high flows so pay attention. Flow in this pic is approx. 1800 cfs.

To Get There:
Find the intersection of Hwy 57 and Main Street in Cedar Falls, IA. Go across the river on Main Street and turn right onto Lincoln St. Proceed about 3 blocks to Greeley Street and turn right (by the bait shop). There will be a parking area next to the river just above the play hole.

For the non-playboater:
There is plenty of flatwater for rec boaters. In fact, after play, you can float a mile or so downstream to George Wyth State Park and take out right at your camp site. There are over 60 miles of surfaced bike trails with some single track dirt trails. Main St. has many cafes, bars, antique shops, bike shop, etc., so stay a while.


StreamTeam Status: Verified
Last Updated: 2009-05-06 09:44:33

Editors

Stream Team Editor
Steve Weliver
Waterloo, IA


Low water winter paddling.

Detail Trip Report Edit  Low water winter paddling.  Cedar River, IA(51.85KB .jpeg)

Railroad Ledge

Detail Trip Report Edit  Railroad Ledge  Cedar River, IA(61.00KB .jpeg)

Rail Road Wave

Detail Trip Report Edit  Rail Road Wave  Cedar River, IA(71.16KB .jpeg)

Rail Slide

Detail Trip Report Edit  Rail Slide  Cedar, IA(248.93KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole Overview

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole Overview  Cedar, IA(79.24KB .jpeg)

Mover over little dog, the big dog's movin in!

Detail Trip Report Edit  Mover over little dog, the big dog's movin in!  Cedar River, IA(76.44KB .jpeg)

In the eddyline

Detail Trip Report Edit  In the eddyline  Cedar River, IA(55.75KB .jpeg)

Loopin

Detail Trip Report Edit  Loopin  Cedar River, IA(93.79KB .jpeg)

IA, Cedar River, Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  IA, Cedar River, Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(87.35KB .jpeg)

30 ft of surfin

Detail Trip Report Edit  30 ft of surfin  Cedar River, IA(90.36KB .jpeg)

Wave wheel

Detail Trip Report Edit  Wave wheel  Cedar River, IA(93.01KB .jpeg)

The Outlaw Kayakers

Detail Trip Report Edit  The Outlaw Kayakers  Cedar River, IA(69.27KB .jpeg)

Get that boogie thang outa here!

Detail Trip Report Edit  Get that boogie thang outa here!  Cedar River, IA(63.29KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(121.20KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(131.41KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(113.81KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(126.02KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(104.05KB .jpeg)

Clay Hole

Detail Trip Report Edit  Clay Hole  Cedar River, IA(113.04KB .jpeg)


Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

The Waterloo gauge has continuous readings. The Cedar Falls gauge doesn't give a reading until the feature washes out.

Various features are playable between 500 and 4300 cfs.
Above 2500 the "A" & "B" holes develop a nice surfing wave with several eddy lines to squirt and cartwheel on - an excellent play spots for beginners.
At 3200 cfs the "D" hole starts giving up loops and cartwheels for the shorter boats.
Over 4300 cfs the "D" hole get's hard to attain.
Over 4700 all features begin to flatten out.

Gauge Information

Name Range Updated Level
Cedar River at Waterloo, IA
usgs-05464000 500 - 4300 cfs 00h51m 6230 cfs (rc= 1.3 )
All features tend to flatten out at these flows.

RangeWater LevelComment
0.0000-500.0000 extremely Low-barely Low Generally too low to offer any god play.
500.0000-2500.0000 barely runnable-med runnable Low boatable flows. Should offer some play.
2500.0000-3200.0000 med runnable-a bit pushy runnable "A" & "B" holes develop a nice surfing wave with several eddy lines to squirt and cartwheel on. Excellent for beginner play.
3200.0000-4300.0000 a bit pushy runnable-high runnable "D" hole starts giving up loops and cartwheels for skilled paddlers in shorter boats.
4300.0000-4700.0000 somewhat High-somewhat High "D" hole get's hard to attain at these flows.
4700.0000-80000.0000 somewhat High-extremely High All features tend to flatten out at these flows.

Report - Reports of Cedar Clay Hole, Cedar Falls (PnP) and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Cedar River [IA] Clay Hole n/a Joe Holt
Cedar River [IA] IA, Cedar River, Clay Hole 2200 Steve Weliver
Cedar [IA] Rail Slide 1800 Steve Weliver
Cedar River [IA] Low water winter paddling. ~500 cfs Steve Weliver
7y29d02h49m Cedar River [IA] The Outlaw Kayakers ~1500 Steve Weliver
7y59d02h49m Cedar River [IA] Get that boogie thang outa here! ~1700 Steve Weliver
7y121d02h49m Cedar River [IA] Mover over little dog, the big dog's movin in! ~2100 Steve Weliver
7y151d02h49m Cedar River [IA] In the eddyline ~2500 cfs Steve Weliver

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User Comments


2008-02-07 08:37:45 (643 days ago)
Ben VanCampDetails
Check out the Cedar River Environmental group at http://www.thecregproject.org CREG is a watershed
non-profit group focused on the long-term sustainability of the Cedar River and its tributaries.
Headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the group arose from the Cedar River Festival, the longest
active river clean-up in Iowa.
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Rapid Descriptions

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