Oak Orchard Creek
(Medina Falls) Medina to Lake Ontario
Glenwood Slide and Play Wave Medina, NY Medina Falls dumps into the Glenwood Lake Reservoir. There is a power boat launch and parking lot just north of Medina on Rte 63. As you pull into the drive turn Left at the lake and unload near the gate. Parking here seems to be OK so far but a better bigger lot is in the opposite direction back near the boat launch. Proceed through the gate and head for the dam. There are trails (sort of) on either side to scout. It only flows at at a high enough level during spring high water flows and during hydro shut downs. Its a bit elusive to catch but its a grinnin' blast! I'd advise putting in just AFTER the first drop after the dam at the large deep pool. The first drop is a very shallow plastic munching concrete slide with a nasty hole in the old concrete on river right. Most likely it wouldn't be a problem unless one were to get a bow paddle or body part in there. There might be some good play at the pool but currently the trees and broken concrete are less than desirable. Immediately after, the creek divides then reconvenes shortly. Left is bigger and maybe shorter but no matter. Right tends to be more strainer prone. Soon the pace picks up and there will be a definitive horizon line. Prepare your grin and run it middle right at especially at higher levels. Punch the V wave (sometimes a double) at the bottom. Now it will be very tempting to catch the big eddy there to get back for some surf but know what you are in for! The V shaped wave looks great but it is severely undercut and cave like just after it. As of last summer, there was a ledge that ran the sides just after the wave coming to an under water pocket with room for a person and their boat within. I know of at least one person the smacked their face on said ledge after flipping running the drop left. Your call. Hopefully, with all the ice this year it might be eroded more and better. Just after that there is one final small drop that makes a nice wave/hole for play. It can get sticky river left. You can make a loop of the paddle if you continue downstream making 2 rights at the river forks. At the second one you'll be headed against slow current upstream toward the hydro plant. Take out near the poison ivy choked drainage pipe. You can then climb the hill and cross the reservoir to the lot or head to the right to hit it up again.
Jeff Berner
n/a
Glenwood Slide