Kokosing
Gambier to Walhonding River
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 21 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Kokosing River at Mount Vernon Oh |
| Flow Rate as of 31 minutes | 58 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 17, 2011 |
This little stream can be paddled from Mt. Vernon, OH, down, but water is more likely below Gambier.
Steve Kreim relates that there are a couple of inaccuracies in Combs and Gillen's description: they omit Class II- Factory Rapid, and they get the location of a two-foot Class-I ledge wrong.
Rody Walter shared:
This is a great little stream for those central Ohio folk who are dying for a quick fix.
This section is best run from Millwood (intersection of 62 and 36) down to the bridge on 36 just past the sand factory. This is a 2 mile shuttle that is easily run by foot or bike...enjoy our environment, don't pollute!
The run has many great spots for teaching beginners while maintaining enough feature to keep the advance paddler interested. Although there are only three rapids in this three mile run, there are numerous waves, eddylines, and slide rocks to keep the interest flowing.
The first small rapid encountered is a 3' ledge moving left of some boulders. Great surfing here above 3'(bridge) with enders and squirts from the river right eddy.
Just downstream, the river narrows and bends to the left under some low hanging branches. Great squirt spot from the river right side...deep and fast due to the constriction.
Factory rapid is the next feature, a class 2 boulder rapid, it is best run on the far left around 'munchie rock'. This is the only passage available until the river reaches 5' on the bridge. The center and right is a pin magnate...scout on the right side. Above 5' on the bridge, fun boofs off 'munchie' can be had and above 7' the river right side opens up a huge surf wave and hole...roll quick to avoid the trees down stream at this level.
The canyon section is next with great squirt lines and slide rocks for fun. An excellent place for swimming and jumping in the summer if you have enough water to scrape down. This section is an excellent moving water section to teach rolling with current. Have the bow r
...Nov 18, 2011
I ran a short section from Millwood to Honey Run Falls park slightly more than one mile at 450 cfs and rising (Mt. Vernon gauge) Factory Rapid is still no more than Class II and there are a few easy surfing waves elsewhere. I do not know how the other posters determined the flow nearly doubles at Millwood since there is no gauge here. There are tributaries that do add to the flow just not doubling the volume?
Running a bike shuttle from Honey Run back to Millwood is much easier and safer on the secondary road than US 36.
While this section is OK for a solitary paddler a group would probably do well to paddle from the Pipesville access to Riley Chapel takeout. This is an Ohio Scenic River Trail but don't expect too much. Certainly suitable for Rec. kayaks.
(rolyak)
May 14, 2005
Seth Grimm surfing Factory Rapid.
Jan 1, 1900
This Class II- rapid can be run by bouncing off of rocks in the center, or by paddling through the standing waves on river left. A conveyor belt extends across the Kokosing directly above the Factory Rapid to give paddlers a reference point. The drop can be scouted from the rocks on river right (where this photo was taken). Avoid the pour over at the top of the drop on river left, by staying far left - the run out is clean and consists of a few nice waves.
Jan 1, 1900
Here's a little pic of some of the fun surfing on this little O-HI-O stream when the water is up. The Chocolate wave comes in above 6' and is served by a river right eddy. So smooth and creamy!
This is a great example of how a near flood stage river pumps up the action. This hole, which is normally part of the river right portage, swallowed up my LL Gus...oh yeah!
Jan 1, 1900
At this level, Class II- Factory Rapid can be run by bouncing off of rocks in the center, or by paddling through the standing waves on river left. A conveyor belt extends across the Kokosing directly above the drop to identify the approach. Factory can be scouted from the rocks on river right (where this photo was taken).
