Susquehanna River
3.) Holtwood
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reporthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtaSRtnstYs
this was my first trip to Holtwood it's amazing to watch the wall drop and the water flow. This place is great and the power plant employs Swift water rescue personnel to be there when the releases are occurring so even if you show up alone you have a safety person if needed. Overall this is one of my favorite local park and plays with some nice big waves its the same drive time for me to the Great Falls chutes but this is consistent when its spilling so you know what you're going to get. I suggest that if you live within an hour or two from Holtwood and you've never been there check it out next season. Thanks AW and Brookfield for making this spot accessible to us.
1100 cfs release
1100 release
Top wave - release
The Holtwood whitewater park consists of 3 spots on river right (west), made from the flow of a dam flood gate, some cement, and a large boulder wall to constrict the flow. head north from 372 on River Road near the Lock 12 historical park. Follow the road up to near the dam and park. There is a large path to get to the river with plenty of warning signs, you can see the river from this parking area. It releases in Spring and Fall, after fish and rare plant season, but before and after ice season... (Oct-Nov, March-April)
Do not paddle above the three spots - (maybe what the above description is referring to the fish ladder?)
The upper spot - is a large wave, the river falls about 10 feet into a wide wave with a large downstream wave train. Eddie service on both sides provide easy access. It is very fast, tall and bouncy. Not overly retentive, ie easy to get out river left.
The middle spot - is more of a hole, a smaller drop maybe 5 feet. This one is more similar to a feature you would find on a river. Easy to catch the current and entry/exit on either side, easier river left.
The lower spot - is a narrow wave, kinda washed out with higher releases. Not retentive unless you have a fast boat.
https://www.facebook.com/Holtwood-whitewater-park-635767109778733/
release listing:
https://renewableops.brookfield.com/en/Presence/North-America/Recreation-and-Safety/Holtwood/Whitewater-Schedule
Any chance someone could do an update here? Supposedly, this has changed a lot with a $4M whitewater park. A good article on it (with some good photos of action there) is: http://m.lancasteronline.com/sports/outdoors/million-whitewater-playboating-park-below-holtwood-dam-tested-about-to/article\_09276d42-5099-11e4-84f2-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm
The full 'old' guide to it is available at: http://chasingrain.com/surfguide/Holtwoodguide.pdf
An early session after working for years to secure the whitewater park at Holtwood.
Holtwood dam spilling a bit of water, but not quite enough to make the surfing good. The powerhouse is in the background.
One of the river left channels at Holtwood
These channels are alot like the Potomac below Great Falls: fast water, great rock structure, and an occassional wave hiding here and there.
In this photo you can see the dam, powerhouse, and piney islands.
Re: Give us the holtwood beta... by Bradley Jan 01 2004, 20:44 GMT New
Date: Jan 01 2004, 23:12 GMT
From: rhinoboard
Holtwood is on the Susquahanna River in Southern PA. The good playspots are about 1/4 mile downstream from the huge dam. Check it out at chasingrain.com
Holtwood is best accessed from McCall's Ferry road (River Right). There is a trail leading down to the river next to the large warning sign (with the Starrk-Moon sticker) under the powerline. Take the Trail to the left. If you plan on staying above the bridge, simply attain or walk back up the the put-in. If you head downstream, you'll want to set a shuttle and take out at the Lock 15 area, reached off of River Rd. (McCall's Ferry Rd downstream of Rt 372.) Park outside of the gate if you're going to take off after sunset.
Unfortunately, several people have had their cars broken into here (some more than once). It's best to leave your valuables at home. Most of the time the theifs steal wallets, cell phones, CD's, and the like, and don't usually go after the smelly boating gear you leave in your car,but to be on the safe side, if you have an extra boat on your car, make sure it's locked up securely and it's best not to leave boats unattended when running or walking shuttle. Consider yourself warned.
For the real skinny on Holtwood play, surf over to the constantly evolving Susquehanna Surf Guide at:
Colby runs Holtwood Dam New
Forum: BoaterTalk
Date: Aug 26 2003, 23:01 GMT
From: loon-moon-soon
Homeboy Colby Mackley comes in from the Olympic Pennisula borrows a boat and heads out and runs the big dam left of center. Colby was out scouting the dam yesterday and decided it could be done. Colby said that he dropped off the biggest horizone line ever out on the big river. Some boards were missing and the water was just below the remaining boards as he got his ass launched into the air coming off the lip. Cool stuff on the Susquehanna. Not for others. Don't try this at home. Brad@Starrkmoon
Isn't the fish ladder on river right?
Flood level, hazardous put-in.