This feature is about 3.5 miles downriver from the Eastwood Metropark and feature. You can paddle from there or park downtown at Riverscape Metropark. You can park on the street at the meters during weekdays, or in the lot at the Miami Conservancy District building if it’s after 5pm or on weekends.

River right is the beginner canoe chute, river left is the main surf feature. It’s got a quick fast drop and is often more of a kayak hole, but is almost always surfable on high volume SUPs. The surfer’s left shoulder is pretty fun with a nice little pocket and can be short boarded on high volume surf boards from 25.5’ and under. The lower the level gets, the more green and steep the wave gets. At around 24-24.5’ the wave is the best and can hold most shortboards, but water speed isn’t the fastest, so you often have to carve and work for it - but still fun!

Located less than half mile down river from Riverscape, just past the I-75 bridge. Parking is across Edwin C. Moses Blvd at the Masonic Temple on the street. Walk down the steep embankment or use the stairs near the bridge or the bike path by the upstream tennis courts to get to the feature.

River left is the easier canoe chute and river right is the main surf feature. It’s got a long, tall and fast drop. At 24.5’ and above, it’s great for a kayak and is more of a bouncy play hole. Once it gets under 24’ it’s more consistent - it greens out below and is great for a short board or SUP. Eddies are great on both sides for surfer’s left and right. Be cautious of the whirlpools in the wave train at higher levels. You can get pulled down for a few seconds, but they will spit you out quick. ALWAYS wear a life jacket and leash. At lower flows, the whirlpools aren’t as much of an issue (but always wear a PFD and leash, regardless of the wave or conditions). Arty is a wide wave and the most fun of all the waves when it’s at the right level. It’s a small window when it’s good for shortboards and this is usually during dry months. The gauge or wave has been changing over a few years and it seems the window only gets smaller.  

At flood stage at around 30′ and above 20,000 cfs, the main wave gets turbulent and all the islands are flooded. but a huge green wave forms where the canoe chute is. I’ve been calling it the “Mystery Wave.” Eddying is difficult and often the only option is backwards entry from above the feature. The swim and walk back up after can prove challenging as well. Definitely only attempt if you’re a very skilled paddler and surfer. Always look for strainers or debris coming downriver, and never surf or paddle alone at these levels and really know what you are doing. DO NOT attempt unless you are skilled in whitewater and ALWAYS wear a Life Jacket!

Off of Harshman Ave, pull into the park entrance at the traffic light. The other entrance without the light is for the lake. Follow the road into the park until it dead ends into a large parking lot. River access is on the right (river left side).

This was one of the first features in Dayton to be built. It’s changed several times and been rebuilt due to flood damage. The surfer’s right wave is the main feature and is good to surf between 350-800 cfs. Anything over that and it begins to get flushy. There’s not much drop so the wave isn’t very big. It’s the most fun around 400-525 cfs where the foam pile is the highest and retentive, although just a few changes in cfs can make all the difference. This is a great wave to learn on and has very easy access for surfer’s left or right. There is also a second drop that is fun to run, but the wave is more natural and difficult to surf with how small it is. This is a great spot to park and play and practice whitewater skills.

Springfield Play Park is about a 20 minute drive from Dayton, but well worth it at right levels. Follow the map link above for Snyder Park and the park will be on the right side, river left. It’s very easy to find and parking is right next to the river. Keep an eye on your belongings - reports of theft have occurred.

*Buck Creek is a great run for some whitewater. If you want to run the whole creek, start at the CJ reservoir and paddle down to Snyder Park for a 5 mile stretch. Altogether there are about 10 drops to run and possibly surf at the right levels. After the creek combines with the tributary creek, you’ll go through some splashy water before hitting some limestone shelves. Stay river left at the first drop. The stadium wave is fun and surfable at around 2.75-3.5’ (you can also park and play here). Next is the art museum (can park and play) which has two kayak holes but is not very good for surfing a SUP. Another 3/4 mile down you will reach Snyder Park where there are the last 4 drops.*

Snyder Park Drops:

Drop #2 is a tighter wave that is more of a hole, great for playboating and short SUPs. Needs to be above 3.5’.

Drop #3 is surfable above 3.5’ and the most fun around 4’. It becomes very fast and retentive with shoulders on both left and right, which makes it perfect for carving and short boards.

Drop #4 is better at lower levels but washes out when it's above 4’. It can still be a fun wave to learn on.

NOTE: As mentioned above, there are two more features at the Springfield Art Museum which are better for kayaks. There’s also a small wave at the baseball stadium (stadium wave) about 1.5 miles up river. Great 5 mile stretch to run!