Massie's Creek
Wilberforce
| Difficulty | III-IV(V) |
| Length | 0.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Massies Creek at Wilberforce Oh |
| Flow Rate as of 38 minutes | 48 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 30, 2026 |
River Description
Local authorities do not consider this a legal run. Paddler's attempting this reach run risk of fine and confiscation of gear. See comment below.
from Rick Roberts' post to Boater Talk, http://oldbt.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/416235:
At 100 CFS it's not that narrow. Class wise I'd call it a very technical 3 with consequences in that if the worst happened, it's a short access to being able to walk out. No serious swims. Lots of drops in the 3-6 foot level and big rocks. This is a very low flow.
A 3 because there would be a lot of maneuvering to do. Very easy to walk around anything you might not want to run.
At 250 CFS this becomes a III+/IV with lots of danger due to strainers and sieves.
At 500 CFS this becomes a IV/V with smaller eddys and even more risk.
The dam at the start of it is part of an old quarry.
I've seen it at 125 CFS and there were no boils or anything indicating serious hydraulics.
Description: The dam at the put-in is well over 15 feet.
The run is over a mile long, and there are only 2 good drops.
Both are near the beginning of the run, in a very pretty gorge.
The last 2/3 of the run is basically flat with lots of strainers.
River Features
Put In (Waterfalls Trail Head)
For a park and huck park at the waterfalls trailhead. Access is restricted proceed with caution.
2nd Drop
SCOUT FOR WOOD!!!. The past few times I have been to Massie's this rapid has been choked full of wood. Scouting can be done from the island in the middle of the river, or from the river right bank. There are a few different lines here, the easiest line would be to boof in the center of the river down a 6 foot ledge. River right can be run in a similar fashion, but not that far river right has a sieve. Staying a towards the center is probably your best bet. On the far river left channel there is a slot that has been called Pin Ball, as someone who ran it hit their head on both sides of the narrow slot. This moves ends in a shallow, steep, recirculating hole that will be very hard to get out of. This seems to be the least wood choked route, but should still be scouted from the island in the center. Take a few righties to clear the hole and you are in good shape.
Take Out (Bridge at Indian Mound Reserve Parking lot.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPictures of the main drop at two different levels. 250 CFS and 600+ CFS.
A view of the first drop from below.
The second drops has a large chance of getting wood stuck in it.
The second drop has several options. This is the far left line.
Once you finish the big rock filled drops the rapids become rather easy.
this is a legal run, but odnr doesn't encourage it. The dam is a good 20', kind of horse shoe shaped, and has a fairly large hydraulic at high water; it's also very deep. The only rapid on the run has a 6' drop and then a 4' drop about 50' downstream. A very pretty creek for Ohio if you can overcome the smell of sewage in the water.
My buddy ran it a few days ago and on his 3rd lap had a Ranger threaten to arrest him and give him a fine of $1500 as well as take his boats etc.
About a four foot drop.
Not measured but probably about a 20 foot drop, locals jump off and swim it according to lore.