Flint Creek
Orleans to Phelps
| Difficulty | II-III+(IV) |
| Length | 11 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 50 fpm |
| Gauge | Flint Creek at Phelps Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 10 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 30, 2011 |
Flint Creek is a shallow, seasonal creek in the Finger Lakes Basin, with origins in the steep ridges of Italy Valley, Southeast of the Southern end of Canandaigua Lake. The creek is characterized by a series of technical Class-III-IV ledge drops through the village of Phelps.
There are numerous stopper pourovers, shallow holes and surf waves associated with these ledge drops.
At high water (Stage 4.5 feet), Flint Creek is a fast & furious Class-IV run with serious consequences and close encounters with strainers. More than a few people have been spanked hard at high water, with the loss of numerous paddles and boats.
Though its watershed is quite large, Flint Creek is rarely runnable. The good thing is that it holds water much better than many small creeks.
As a general rule, the creek is runnable only during the spring runoff or after moderate-heavy rains, when there is enough water to run the Old Mill Falls in downtown Phelps.
Lat/longitude verified by GPS.
For a longer run, putin off Waddell Road in Orleans. You get about five additional playspots (including 'Shroo Hole') and one good rapid ('Single Drop') at normal levels.
Lat/longitude coords verified by GPS.
A ledge-hole that extends across most of the river, this one is the best playspot on the upper section of the creek, and one of the best playspots on the whole creek. Don't miss it.
The putin, for when time is short, is located 2 miles southwest of Phelps, just off Rte. 488 at the Wheat Road bridge. See the map.
At approximately 1.75 miles you will find the 15-foot high Trippple Drop. This is a series of 5-foot ledges. A normal line is river left. At high water, the hole at the bottom can be sticky. Grab the eddy left at the end of the rapid if you're looking to play this hole.
This, the third small walking bridge that you encounter, is a low bridge that can collect wood. Like the bridge at Double Drop, it has the most headroom at the extreme river left. Soon afterwards is the notorious Toxic Hole.
At about 2 miles, as you approach Highway 96, you will drop over a steep 3-foot high pourover into a deep pool. This is named Toxic Hole for the abundant brown froth found in the pool.
Toxic Hole is a nearly-symmetrical ledge with a powerful recirculation, depending on the level. It appears as a harmless drop from the road, and by boat scout, but it has consequences for those who don't take it seriously. Logs and branches have been seen worked in this feature for quite some time. This feature carries extra risks because it is viewable from route 96, and amateurs might attempt to run this ledge without the proper knowledge. The drop is literally no more than 3 feet.
So don't take this one lightly, my friends; take this drop by heading about as far left as you can go, and by paddling aggressively as you reach the drop. If you run it sideways, or if you don't work hard to paddle out of its recirc, don't come crying to me.
The rapids at Melvin Hill Road bridge are a series of ledge drops between a concrete supply yard.
Farther downstream is one of the best rodeo holes on the river, just before the Eagle Street bridge.
It is located about 100 feet upstream from the bridge, toward river right. The hole would be outstanding, were the creek not so shallow.
Just downstream from Eagle Street is a wonderful, solitary hole in the center of the river.
Below this hole, a low-angle slide drops you into a river-wide surf wave. Then, you will notice a substantial horizon line as you approached the next bridge.
This is a river-wide ledge. The biggest (and most jarring) drop is in the middle, and consists of a 5-foot vertical waterfall drop.
Toward either side, the ledge is only about 4 feet high, and is more of a steep slide.
About 50 feet downstream from this ledge drop is the next bridge, called The Tubes.
The Tubes is a railroad bridge with three arches. This bridge is quite dangerous because of the ever-changing accumulation of strainers.
The main current usually funnels into the middle tube, which is usually clogged with debris. BE VERY CAREFUL HERE, SCOUT THOROUGHLY AHEAD OF TIME.
The left tunnel is the most difficult and most interesting. Immediately after this bridge is a river-wide, 3 or 4-foot pourover.
Wade Bowman contributes:
'This is an extremely technical section, and the water is extremely shallow for a long distance following the tube, which is something foot scouting will not reveal. When I say shallow, I mean about an inch of water (at a high level), and it moves very fast. Be sure you are on balance and prepared after the first drop, before entering the tube. Being on edge or out of your boat would be a disaster at this point.'
Between The Tubes and the Williams Street bridge is only one interesting river-wide ledge drop. River left is a slot with a large rooster tail. Sneak just right of the roster tail. At very high water, you may bypass the slot on far river right, over a pourover. Immediately before the Williams Street bridge there is a nice boofing rock in the center of the current. It has a large pillow in front of it.
May 4, 2011
Flint Creek, Phelps, New York
