O'Bannon Creek
Gibson Road to Little Miami confluence
| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 4.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 32 fpm |
| Gauge | O'bannon Creek Near Loveland Oh |
| Flow Rate as of 25 minutes | 11 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 18, 2017 |
River Description
The breakdown is one mile at 20 fpm, the next two miles at 40 fpm, and the final mile-and-a-half at around 17 fpm. From that breakdown you can see the middle section is where most of the action is - although some of the better playspots are near the end of the run.
O'Bannon Creek is a nice run that provides a variety of play at a wide range of boatable levels. While lower water is perfect for newer boaters looking to step up from the Great or Little Miami Rivers, higher water can create very large wave trains with boils behind them and few, if any, eddies. This creek is changing all the time with the rain events creating new playspots that can last for several years or several months. Some of the better playspots shown in the pictures are no longer there or have changed significantly.
Boaters can use either feet or cfs to gauge whether this run is in. Check the flows tab for more information on that. While some people run this below 300 cfs, it really is a very rocky river and so I've upped the minimum to 300 cfs, which is probably the best low end level. Much below that and you are really looking to put a beating on your boat.
The real attraction for O'Bannon is it closeness to the Cincinnati area, the frequency at which this river runs, and the variety of levels that it can be paddled. The best level for all-around play is around 500-600 cfs, although play can be had at all the levels. Bigger water means bigger tricks for the skilled playboater in a variety of playspots. While 'Shithole' is not as good as it once was, certain levels still are very good for big play. The final ledge has changed into a really nice spot for bigger tricks at certain levels. Pothole, once considered the best spot on the river, has really changed and is no longer as good of a playspot as it used to be - although it can still be fun at lower water. There are several spin spots throughout the run and you can front, side, and backsurf to your hearts content
...River Features
Put-In
Either walk down by the bridge or take the well-worn trail on Nature Conservancy property down to the put-in. If you park in the small subdivision across the street, just park in front of the houses and be respectful. The house on the end near the cul-de-sac tends to put-up cones during rain events to discourage people from parking in the cul-de-sac (which actually has no homes in it and is away from people's houses).
Spin Hole
There's a lonely spin hole in this rapid that is midway down, right in the middle of it. Most people stay left and run through the wave train, but you can catch one of the eddies at the top on river left and you'll see the spin hole in the middle. Ferry over - if you miss it, there's sometimes an eddy on surfer's left of the hole. Spin until you get bored.
Hawk Wave
Named after seeing several Redtail Hawks in the tree right above the wave, this is the best low water play feature on the creek. At levels around 400 cfs, this is a great front surfing wave that is so much fun to carve on until you are bored or (again) are getting the stink eye from your group. It's pretty shallow here, but I'm sure better boaters could throw blunts on this. EASY eddy serve on river left and you can keep getting back into it over and over again. Not usually all that great above 800 cfs. Just good, clean fun!
At higher water, a wave train forms that is good for wavewheels. Most levels have a wave train that you can play in after you are done in the surf wave.
Round Rock
At some levels, a hole forms here that you can play in on surfer's left. Most levels this is a great ender and stern squit spot. Lots of little whirlpools that allow boaters to twist and spin around on their backs. Throw squirts either coming out of eddy or as you go into eddy. The farther upstream you are in the eddy, the more shallow it is.
Pothole
This used to be a great playspot, but the ledge has eroded and there's rock in there now. The runout can be very shallow, so if you play here, be mindful of that and have a quick roll. At some levels a wave train forms downstream of this, but it can also be shallow so tuck hard. Currently, at lower water the bottom wave is good for front surfing on surfer's left and spinning on surfer's right. Best eddy service is on river right near the steep bank.
This can sometimes be covered by water from the Little Miami River if the LMR is really high.
Final Ledge
This can be a really great hole at a lot of levels on river left. The right is very pourovery (if that's a word), so avoid that. If the Little Miami is backed up into O'Bannon, this can change the rapid's playability and make it better. I've seen people loop here, so at some levels it's definitely deep enough.
This can be covered by the Little Miami River at some levels.
Take Out
Either take out before or after the bridge. Several trails exist for less than 100 yards of walking back to the parking lot.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportR2'd today in an RMR Cloud9 after a night and morning of constant rain. Put in at 1180 CFS, took out at 600. O'Bannon was dropping fast after peaking at 2900 CFS. Hard boaters ahead of us had a bit more water through their run, but this range has LOTS of fun waves and nice holes. Door #3 opens into wood. Doors #1 and #2 open into vegetation or wood. This rapid is a mandatory carry in a raft. Some kayakers maybe could slip through in the main channel, but it would be sketchy. It was sketchy enough to line our raft through the downed trees. None of the holes in this run were overly sticky for us and we had a great time punching right into their mouths and through them. Other than no doors being open at Door #3, it was a fantastic run.
Private property on river left and treatment plant property on right so walking banks is not encouraged and I have been chased off before. So just keep your feet in water ;-)
Pothole around 6ft
One of the mandatory portages at 250 cfs. I'll update later with an accurate location
river wide strainer at 250 cfs. Will necessitate a portage at higher flows. I'll update with an accurate location very soon.
two strainners river wide top half of creek as of 4/19/13
Went down O'Bannon yesterday and one of our group went to dump the water out of her inflatable at the waterfall when a person on the other shore quasi-kindly informed us that the area there was private property (there is a sign on the north side of the feeder creek). Not a place that I would stop for any reason unless it was an emergency and even then, I wouldn't linger. I've heard of people running the falls, so I'd just be careful not to upset the property owners.
5.75ft at pothole a beautiful wave forms
an amazing end of june run 5.7ft
6ft