"Clay" Hole
Click on the pics to enlarge - again to shrink.
Holy playhole Batman, which one is Salida, CO and which one is Cedar Falls, IA?
Same bat-paddler, same bat-boat...which hole is which?
OR
Contrary to popular belief, Iowa has several sites with fantastic playability.
Work continues to bring us up to par with the rest of the country.
Boogieboarder run over by kayaker at the Clay Hole!
Actually it's just my son Kyle (boogieboarding) and I cutting up after an
intense
day of river rescue practice with the ISU Canoe and Kayak Club.
Description:
It doesn't take much to talk ourselves into a quick trip to the local play
hole. After much play here we've found that flows between 500 and 3200 cfs are
ideal for all skill levels. Over 2800 and the "D" hole is hard to attain and
much over 3500 all features begin to flatten out. Between 2500 and 3500, the
"A" & "B" holes are surfable with several nice eddy lines to squirt and
cartwheel on and excellent play spots for beginners.
My favorite level is 2700 cfs. The "B", "C", and "D" holes all have different
characteristics. Loops and cartwheels are possible in the "D" hole around this
level.
All of these features are created by an old low head dam. The dam is intact on
river left and broken out on river center, ("D" hole - which is where we do
most of our
playing). Use caution, this is an old low head dam and you should scout it
first! The only portion we've found to be nasty is in the "you're on your own
area" - it's shallow, many sharp rocks, a pinning spot, and one hole that WILL
hold and/or recirculate you.
We have removed all rebar, head-banging rocks and trash on river left out to
the "D" hole. Stuff continues to get thrown or washed in or get exposed with
high flows so pay attention. Flow in this pic is approx. 1800 cfs.
You can seal-launch here. At higher flows we'll launch upstream which allows us
to "wave wheel" the dam or spin the rail slide.
Ty (red helmet) is standing above the diagonal hole. The wave/hole is approx 3
to 4' deep. Flow is approx. 1100 cfs.
At the higher flows, the diagonal can be blasted. At lower flows a double wave
forms. Multiple ends can be thrown between the two waves.
Mostly it's excellent for side surfing. The next feature visible behind me
(under my left hand) is
the "D"
hole that gets delightfully retentive in the seam. The surfer's left part of
this
feature turns into a nice surfing wave. This whole feature is great for flat
spins, cartwheels, and an occasional blunt at the right levels. Between 2000
and 2900 cfs it's a 30' surfing wave with fast carves. Behind me in the shadows
(and immediately below the bridge) is another hole (you're on your own area)
that's super sticky, shallow and a bridge pier to pin on.
Between the "C" and "D" hole is a tongue of water that's great for
squirts and enders.
This picture was taken in Jan. 2002 - flow was approx. 500 cfs (da hole).
Hey ya'll, if "old man Peterson" can do this, so can you!!
Accomodations:
As of 2003, there's a covered shelter and year-round rest rooms within 50 yrds
of the play hole. For camping there's Black Hawk Co. Park just north of Cedar
Falls and George
Wyth State Park east of Cedar Falls. Numerous hotels are nearby. Several really
good places to eat are very close by; the Broom Factory is right on the river,
Mainly Lou's, Montage, and Bourbon Street which are a couple blocks up Main
St...and our
main hangout is Cup of Joe's on the corner of Main & 57 where we get all our
delicious tea and coffee and talk about our next mission.
Directions:
Find the intersection of Hwy 57 and Main Street in Cedar Falls, IA.
Go across the river on Main Street and turn right onto Lincoln St. Proceed
about 3 blocks to Greeley Street and turn right. There will be a parking
area next to river just above the play hole.
Stream flow data
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