Fox

A) N Wave (Neenah)

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DifficultyII
Length0.08 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
Reach Info Last UpdatedMarch 4, 2025

River Description

Lake Winnebago is a very large, shallow lake, formed largely by the existence of dams in Neenah. There is a large island (1.1 square miles, which is shared between Neenah and Menasha -- filled with buildings, businesses, streets, etc) with dams and millraces and locks (for passage upstream and down, for motorboats to move from Green Bay to Lake Winnebago) on either side of the island. The millrace on the west channel lies mostly 'piped' underground, but as it spills back into the lower channel, flanked by cement walls, it forms a surfable, potentially playable hole when flow and water levels (upstream and down) are favorable. Fortuitously, this appears to be most likely in midsummer and early fall, when little else is available!


River Features

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DF
David Farin

Jun 12, 2018


After some advocacy, Neenah Wisconsin's Park and Recreation Department has produced a paddler friendly long term plan for Arrowhead Park which is located on the river left side of this feature. There are plans for stone terrace to be installed along the river left shoreline to replace rip rap and create a safer entry for boating and fishing access, as well as a changing shelter. Further away, there will be bathrooms and other park amenities. You are within site of offices and exam rooms in the Affinity building as well as an office building overlooking the site, formerly Plexus international headquarters. Please be discrete while changing. The installation of a recreational trestle trail referred to as 'Loop the Lake' now crosses downstream of the site. The first piling has been positioned in the river right eddy downstream of this feature and the bridge is high enough to allow paddlers to pass underneath. This will attract a high volume of walkers, runners, and cyclists through this area. Anglers have long frequented this site, and it is important to engage with them as people who enjoy this space as much as boaters do. Maintaining a sense of community when entering this space is an important strategy employed by the local paddling community to assure continued access. The surfing wave that forms at low water here was not built with us in mind, but the fact is we see benefits from it's existence. Generally, when the fishing is good here as during higher water in the Spring, the surfing is not good. When the surfing is good here during the low water periods, the fishing is not great. If you are patient with anglers, most will pack up and move on before very long to look for better fishing activity. If they are reeling fish in, please let them enjoy their time and allow them space to work the site. During my visits, all interactions have been friendly.

DF
David Farin

Sep 16, 2017


Some things to be aware of: 1) a shallow concrete structure extends across the wave from each downstream end of the wing walls. 2) there is rock fill downstream of this concrete structure. 3) the concrete and rock fill is under and downstream of where the wave forms, so if you catch an edge while surfing, you could strike these objects. 4) the river right eddy line offers a deep enough place to perform play boat maneuvers including stern squirts and bow stands, cartwheels, etc. and the current is strong enough to aid with these maneuvers. The river left eddy line has less depth due to the rip-rap that tumbled into the eddy. For a thorough site analysis, see the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsD9jtGKXys&t=81s

Rob Smage
Rob Smage

May 11, 2015


Surfing at a 'high-runnable' level.

Rob Smage
Rob Smage

May 11, 2015


This is the N-Wave at a 'low-moderate' flow.

Rob Smage
Rob Smage

Sep 29, 2014


Lake Winnebago is largely created by (and lake-level is regulated via) a set of dams in Neenah. In addition to flow through those dams, outflow can also pass through a millrace and pipe into the Fox River. This is the site (when conditions are favorable) for the 'N Wave' to form. If the river is too high (when a lot of water is being dumped through the dams), expect no playable wave here. The wave is best when dams are shut way down (summer and early fall).