Olentangy

This class I-II (III) run is of primary interest to Central Ohio paddlers. At high water levels a number of small ledges create playful waves and hydraulics. There are unfortunately few mid-stream boulders and eddies, however, many playspots are serviced by bank eddies.

Characteristics at select flows:

500-900 cfs: runnable but no worthwhile play. Good levels for early ww beginners needing moving water experience;

1000-1300 cfs: the maximum amount of hydraulics appear. Waves are small.

1800-2300 cfs: many enjoyable medium-sized waves. A lot of the hydraulics start to wash out. 'House Wave' is nice. Noticeably pushier;

4000-4500+ cfs: large standing waves offer fun surf. Holes are washed out, but many of the waves break nicely. Very pushy and flood-like. Most waves are catch-on-the-fly. 'Maui Wave' above take-out is prime. Becomes more class III at this level.

Hazards: There are two low-head dams to be aware of. The first occurs approximately 2/3into the run above the US 23 bridge. Portage river right. A second very low small dam is located about 50 yards downstream of the first. It's broken out on river right and easily run there.

Access:

Put-in: From the US 23 bridge which crosses the river south of Delaware, head north several miles up the river right side road. Continue north on the dead-end road leading to a Delaware Water Treatment Facility. Park along the guardrail, just in front of the newly erected fence, looking for a trail in the weeds dropping down to the river.

Take-out: From 23 near the bridge, travel south on Chapman Road, which parallels the river. In less than a mile, look for a red ranch house on your left close to the river. Just past that, once the left side of the road turns to woods, look for two pullouts close-by on your right, the northern one with a mailbox. Park in the southern pullout. A trail leads d

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