Information for Paint Creek play spot

See Pictures Below

Gauge: http://water.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv?04161540  updates every 4 hours

location of playspot : 1/2 mile east of Main St. (Rochester Rd), 1/4 mile south of University in downtown Rochester. Can be accessed from parking lot of assisted living center across from Rochester Library. Parking is limited there, a better choice would be to park  behind Rochester Brewing Co. (restaurant - brick building) and walk across field to abandoned bridge.

Caution: There is a small 3 ft low head dam under a bridge 1/4 mile downstream of playspot. There should be plenty of time to rescue swimmers. Scout from river left. I have run it up to about 300 cfs, beyond that, you need speed to clear the boil line. This thing is deceptive, even at 200 cfs it looks very intimidating with a 4ft boil line and strong back flow, yet you can walk right back into it, and its only 12 inches deep. I actually sat on the bottom, the floor is flat smooth concrete! A great way to feel the power of low head dams.

 No matter what the level, I wouldn't want to go in sideways. You would get pummeled against the hard floor. The good news is that all you have to do is get out of the boat and stand up, it will never get more than knee deep! Even a swimmer should be fine as long as they remember its shallow enough to stand in.  Scout it and make up your own mind!

Gauge Readings

This river feature is caused by a concrete slab that has tilted to form an underwater ramp.

100 to 150 CFS - Minimum level, very friendly. A perfect place to learn side surfing. very similar to the gates at East Race waterway at lower levels. Probably too shallow to roll in the slot, but easy to brace off the ramp.

150 to 200 CFS - Very fun level, smooth fairly symmetrical, river wide hole with easy eddies on both sides. Deep enough to roll. Front, back, side surf and 360's. Not quite deep enough for cartwheels. Very retentive, yet will flush you out if you catch an edge or flip.

250 to 300  CFS - Starts to get more physical. Center starts surging and boil line moves outward. Will hold an inverted boat until you bail out, or roll up. Still very fun to play and easy to exit out each end. or ender out.

300 to 400 CFS - Good place to learn "windowshading" Should be deep enough for most rodeo moves.

400 to 600 CFS - Starts to look like "swimmers" at the lower Yough, but only 15 ft wide.

600+ - Let me know how it turns out..

150 CFS Very friendly. Great for teaching. 100 CFS is minimum.

570 CFS  Best playspot in Michigan?

570 CFS, Park & Play!

Blue Pushpin below marks location.