Paddling through some of the current on the Upper section
PHOTOS
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Description:
Oak Orchard Creek, above Lake Alice is a quick run, with lots of nice little currents to carry you through some scenic woodland and farms complete with livestock sharing the creek with paddlers. There are various put-ins along the way, that locals know about, and at just about every bridge along the way. This is a popular spot in summer, you'll see many paddlers along the way if you go during the day. Oak Orchard Canoe and Kayak wiull outfit you with everything you need for a trip down the River. They must do a brisk business in summer, their boats are scattered along the River each time I've been here.
The UPPER portion (south of the Niagara Mohawk power dam) is faster than that of the lower portion (north of the Niagara Mohawk power dam), though when approaching Lake Alice, the upper portion becomes increasingly slower, and very shallow in parts. You'll know when you're here when your boat starts scraping along the sandbars.
The LOWER portion, about 6 miles long passes through marinas and under bridges, eventually ending at Oak Orchard State Marine Park and emptying into Lake Ontario. Since we didn't put in at an official launch (thank you guys!), I can't recommend a launch site. But, I've been told you can put-in at just about any bridge along the way.
We saw numerous grey herons, turtles and white swans on trips here. Honeysuckle, cattails and weeping willows are just some of the rich flora you'll come across.
Both the lower and upper portion were paddled one-way only. A car was placed at either end of the trip, which requires planning and set-up time, but eliminates paddling upstream, against current.
Put-in:
Upper Portion: Slade Road, off Rte 63, just north of the Town of Ridgeway. The
Lower portion: If you know anyone at the gun club....if not....check out the bridges. We passed plenty along the way, and there appeared to be put-ins people from the area knew about.
Take out:
Upper Portion: Lake Alice Boat Launch, on Rte 279, in the town of Carlton
Lower portion: Oak Orchard State Marine Park
Duration: Day Trip
Distance:Varies
Portages: None
Loop Trip: No
Camping: No
LINKS:
WNYRIN- Lake Alice Boat Launch
WNYRIN- Oak Orchard State Marine Park
Oak Orchard Canoe and Kayak Experts
- Website for renting and purchasing equipment
Fishing on the Oak Orchard River
Fishing info on Orleans Outdoor
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