Wapsipinicon River

Hale to Toronto

River Miles: 17.1
Counties: Jones and Clinton
Recommended Level: would not recommend faster than 2600 cfs for beginners

Review(s):

Knowledge of this area: Intermediate
Date of Paddle: 5/21/05
CFS: 2650 cfs at DeWitt gauge
Recommended Craft: Recreational
Type of Water: flatwater
Overview of this section: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's typical lower Wapsi. Just nice flatwater paddling suitable for beginners. Once again, the wildlife was abundant. We saw an eagle and its nest, some hawks, the usual ducks and geese, and a lovely bright orange oriole taking a bath at the river's edge. Binoculars and a camera would be good things to bring along. You will run across some little pockets of civilization, but not all that often. Much of the trip does have an isolated feel to it.
Hazard and Rapids: No rapids, but snags in places. That would be the only challenge to a raw beginner.
Camping Available?: Yes, at the county parks at Massillon and Toronto. Also, the Wapsi is a meandered stream here so you can sandbar camp!
Other Launches?: There is an access at Oxford Mills, 7 miles downstream from Hale. Massillon and Toronto county parks also have accesses. Massillon is another 7 miles downstream from Oxford Mills, and Toronto is 3 miles down from Massillon. Therefore, this section can be broken up several different ways if you don't want to do a 17-mile trip.
Other Items of Interest: Not far downstream from Massillon, there's a place on river left with "No Trespassing" signs all over it. There are some neat rock formations here. The sign also said the place is called "Timberrock Wildlife Study Area" and that people are only allowed on the property with permission of some people from some sort of trust. I would like to somehow find out more about this place and try to get the written permission necessary. 
Overall opinion of this section: Like the rest of the lower Wapsi, sandbar camping and wildlife viewing are the main attractions. Another nice leisurely float, although the higher water this trip added some interest.

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Recent River Level Readings - taken from NOAA

Location: Anomosa