Maquoketa

Visited here in May. Not worth the drive for playboating. The features are shallow and not retentive.

However, the eddylines are deep behind the features so I could use my half slice and that was fun. Some fun rocks to splat too. Just bring your half or full slice for this location.

This project has been completed since 2015. The park is open and free to use 24/7 365.

Update. The project is underway. Construction of 6 features has started and is ongoing. Completion is anticipated spring/summer 2015. Check out Manchester Whitewater on Facebook for the most accurate updates. https://www.facebook.com/manchesterwhitewaterpaddlerssurfers/

You can also contact me, Hannah Ray J, a Manchester native, for more details. I can be reached via Facebook or email hannah_rayj@yahoo.com

The flow was around 270-280 cfs on 8/5/17. Excellent beginner work for moving water, approaches, and eddies. All the eddy lines were strong and squirelly. Requiring attention to position and technique.The eddies were flowing almost as strong as the main current and at time required an effort to get out of.

The first three drops are smooth chutes with easy to see tongues with a little splash at the end. There were small spots for front surfing, but not really any room for any kind of moves.

The fourth drop required more effort to line up. The conflicting main and eddy currents had to be navigated through some rocks to get lined up. A little bigger splash at the bottom. The fifth and sixth drop each increased slightly in complexity and splash size. These pools were just as strong but smaller. The most efficient walk up would be from bottom to the top of the fourth drop as these are closer and have more play options. Four and five had a large front surf opening with some carving and maneuvering possibilities. The sixth had front and side surf possibilities - you could move around on the river left side without losing the wave. The side surf was a little sticky and if I had more time I might have been able to try some spins.

My friends got tubes at the Watershed slightly upstream and enjoyed the day. The crowd was a mix of tubers, kayakers, and swimmers. The kayakers coming out early in the afternoon with most leaving before the crowds increased. Be careful around the tubers as they don't have much control. A group got upset at me when they dropped in on me while I was surfing and I couldn't get out of the way in time for them.

There are a good range of options for food and groceries in Manchester (except on Sunday when the grocery store is closed). Nice tent accommodations in nearby Bailey's Ford.

Sorry if there is a duplicate post, I had an issue with my browser.

Construction is underway.

Feature 1 @8100cfs

Feature #1 @350cfs

Feaure #3. When the park first opened this feature was a fun little playspot for front surfing spinning, but people complained about the rocks placed downstream that created this fun spot, so the feature was 'fixed', ruining the play. There is no longer any play at a majority of levels. At super high flows this becomes the bestest, cutest little wave at the park!

Feature 1 @8100cfs

Feature #2 Zero play at a majority of levels. Maybe some mellow catch on the fly play at super high flows

A mellow, small wave that forms at medium water

Feature 1 @350cfs