Licking, Ohio, US

2. Ridgely Tract to Dillon Falls

Dillon Falls

Dillon Falls
Photo of Anthony Small taken 10/15/2000 @ 376 CFS

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
Licking River bl Dillon Dam near Dillon Falls OH
usgs-03147500	4.00 - 9.50 ft	II-III	01h28m	7.28 ft (running)
	1900-5000 cfs; High runnable flows

River Description

Dillon Falls is a 1/4-mile, Class I-II rapid consisting of many 6-12" ledges, finishing with three ledges of 2ft, 3ft, and a river-left 4ft drop. The usual line is river-left.

The American Canoe Association holds Whitewater Rescue Recertification courses during the Spring, when releases of 1,900 CFS, or 7.0 ft on the USGS gauge, are scheduled. (Consult the ODNR web page for release dates).

At that level and higher, Dillon Falls becomes a legitimate Class III. Levels of 9.50 feet on the USGS gauge translates into a flow of 5,000+ CFS. This occurs several times a year after periods of heavy rain. The three aforementioned ledges produce very powerful river-wide hydraulics and paddlers should exercise good judgment.