Lately, we have been putting in on the north side of the river by driving to beautiful downtown Woodville, and then driving south on 715 E. to the river. The put-in is a little easier than that shown in the video. The paddle upstream from the put-in is about the same.
Paddled this 3-8-2018 @ ~6,800 cfs. Just guessing, but it looks like the wave in the center of the river might be better at a little lower flow. Maybe it's just my slower boat (Glide), but it was really easy to fall of the back of the wave.
You are correct. The best flow rate for the wave in the middle is about 6,000 cfs. At low flow, below about 5,500 cfs, it becomes a rocky hole that is best avoided.
McKay Andersen Hi Mark. I just noticed your comment a couple of months late. Yes, the center wave is steeper at lower water and easier to catch. However, rocks become a problem below about 5,500 cfs. A higher hull speed boat makes the wave easier to stay on and easier to paddle upstream. Great to hear of someone else paddling here. It's a good place to tune up for river trips and to practice eddy turns, ferrying, upstream paddling, etc., rather than just a park and play wave. The eddies on river left are good for roll practice since the bank is easy to climb out on should, heaven forbid, you swim.
Lately, we have been putting in on the north side of the river by driving to beautiful downtown Woodville, and then driving south on 715 E. to the river. The put-in is a little easier than that shown in the video. The paddle upstream from the put-in is about the same.
The water dropped on the canal I've been paddling. I think it's time to go back and give this one another shot.
Paddled this 3-8-2018 @ ~6,800 cfs. Just guessing, but it looks like the wave in the center of the river might be better at a little lower flow. Maybe it's just my slower boat (Glide), but it was really easy to fall of the back of the wave.
You are correct. The best flow rate for the wave in the middle is about 6,000 cfs. At low flow, below about 5,500 cfs, it becomes a rocky hole that is best avoided.
You still paddling, Sir?
McKay Andersen
Hi Mark. I just noticed your comment a couple of months late. Yes, the center wave is steeper at lower water and easier to catch. However, rocks become a problem below about 5,500 cfs. A higher hull speed boat makes the wave easier to stay on and easier to paddle upstream. Great to hear of someone else paddling here. It's a good place to tune up for river trips and to practice eddy turns, ferrying, upstream paddling, etc., rather than just a park and play wave. The eddies on river left are good for roll practice since the bank is easy to climb out on should, heaven forbid, you swim.
Excuse me, McKay, not Mark
I am still paddling whitewater.