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New York | Ontario County / Orleans and Phelps

Flint CreekOrleans to Phelps

A planning-only Flint Creek whitewater corridor from the American Whitewater Waddell Road/Orleans water-entry anchor to the Phelps take-out below the Old Mill Falls boundary. American Whitewater rates the reach Class II–III+(IV), describes a shallow seasonal creek with ledge drops, low bridges, strainers, and a serious Old Mill Falls hazard, and provides direct USGS 04235250 telemetry at Phelps. Ontario Pathways confirms a public trail network alongside the creek, while the stored endpoints remain waterline anchors requiring current legal-access and parking confirmation.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 6.7 river miles from the Waddell Road/Orleans access to the Phelps take-out; American Whitewater also publishes a longer 11-mile reach with alternate Wheat Road start context
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 3–6 hours depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
Flint Creek at Phelps, New York, used as same-river gauge context for the Orleans-to-Phelps route.
Route photoFlint Creek at Phelps; Orleans-to-Phelps route contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 6.7 river miles from the Waddell Road/Orleans access to the Phelps take-out; American Whitewater also publishes a longer 11-mile reach with alternate Wheat Road start contextOrleans to Phelps
DifficultyhardAmerican Whitewater rates the reach Class II–III+(IV), but shallow ledges, low bridges, strainers, the Old Mill Falls waterfall, seasonal flow, and limited reliable exits create advanced consequences. High water can turn a technical creek into a fast Class IV run.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the confirmed Phelps take-out, then drive to the Waddell Road or Wheat Road access selected after an on-site legal-access check. Allow a full daylight margin for scouting, bridge portages, wood, and a possible early extraction.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current New York boating/PFD and invasive-species requirements, municipal road and parking rules, Ontario Pathways rules, landowner restrictions, posted bridge/utility limits, and any current local closure. No route-specific paddling permit is asserted.
CampingDay tripNo on-route or creek-bank camping is claimed. Flint Creek Campground and other Ontario County lodging provide nearby-basecamp context only; arrange a separate legal site and keep the public trail and creek access day-use.
SeasonMar-NovAmerican Whitewater describes Flint Creek as a shallow, seasonal creek that is most likely runnable during spring runoff or after moderate-to-heavy rain. Check the direct Phelps gauge, recent rainfall, rising trend, bridge clearance, wood, and the Old Mill Falls channel immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A planning-only Flint Creek whitewater corridor from the American Whitewater Waddell Road/Orleans water-entry anchor to the Phelps take-out below the Old Mill Falls boundary. American Whitewater rates the reach Class II–III+(IV), describes a shallow seasonal creek with ledge drops, low bridges, strainers, and a serious Old Mill Falls hazard, and provides direct USGS 04235250 telemetry at Phelps. Ontario Pathways confirms a public trail network alongside the creek, while the stored endpoints remain waterline anchors requiring current legal-access and parking confirmation.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Orleans Waddell Road / Flint Creek water-entry anchor
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Waddell Road, Wheat Road, and Phelps points are American Whitewater waterline anchors, not a claim that every bridge or shoulder is a maintained public boat launch.

Finish

Take-out

Phelps Flint Creek take-out water-entry anchor
Open mapDirections to take-out

Ontario Pathways documents a public trail alongside Flint Creek in the Orleans/Phelps corridor. Use it only where the trail manager and signs permit a boat carry; public trail access does not authorize private-bank crossings.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
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Access planner

Choose your launch and take-out

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance6.7 miMixed access
On-water timeAbout 3–6 hours depending on flowFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Orleans Waddell Road / Flint Creek water-entry anchor to Phelps Flint Creek take-out water-entry anchor is about 6.7 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Waddell Road, Wheat Road, and Phelps points are American Whitewater waterline anchors, not a claim that every bridge or shoulder is a maintained public boat launch.
  • Ontario Pathways documents a public trail alongside Flint Creek in the Orleans/Phelps corridor. Use it only where the trail manager and signs permit a boat carry; public trail access does not authorize private-bank crossings.
  • Old Mill Falls is a Class IV waterfall/large-drop boundary. The route does not claim a runnable line or an unrestricted portage around the mill; scout and exit from legal public ground.
  • The direct gauge is near the lower end of the route. Upper Flint Creek can rise, fall, collect wood, or become shallow independently of the station reading.

Watch for

  • USGS 04235250 discharge/stage, the 250 cfs planning screen, recent rain, rapid rise, and actual depth at Waddell Road, Wheat Road, and Phelps
  • shallow ledges, stopper holes, Toxic Hole, low bridges, The Tubes railroad bridge, strainers, rebar, Old Mill Falls, and cold water
  • legal parking, public carry, private banks, Ontario Pathways restrictions, daylight, and the ability to exit before the Old Mill Falls boundary

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Flint Creek at Phelps, New York, used as same-river gauge context for the Orleans-to-Phelps route.
Flint Creek at Phelps; Orleans-to-Phelps route contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS station photograph; same-river context

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named whitewater corridorFlint Creek Orleans to Phelps; Class II–III+(IV); 11 miles in the AW header

    American Whitewater publishes the named reach, difficulty, seasonal character, ledge sequence, bridge/strainer hazards, and alternate endpoint/access anchors.

    Source

  • Water-entry anchors and alternate startWaddell Road/Orleans, Wheat Road, Old Mill Falls boundary, and Phelps take-out

    American Whitewater supplies GPS-verified or mapped waterline anchors; the card keeps them conditional until current legal parking, carry, and landing are checked.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 04235250 Flint Creek at Phelps, NY

    USGS provides direct stage and discharge near the lower route; local feature and access inspection remain controlling.

    Source

  • Route-specific flow guidanceAbout 250 cfs as a runnable-but-low trip-report screen; higher water increases consequences

    American Whitewater trip reports and the route description provide the planning context; no numeric value certifies safety or a runnable Old Mill Falls line.

    Source

  • Public trail and creek contextOntario Pathways public trail network follows Flint Creek through Orleans and Phelps

    The trail supports public near-water context but does not by itself grant boat-launch or private-bank access.

    Source

  • Route imageUSGS Flint Creek at Phelps station photograph

    Same-river station context image; it does not claim to depict the upper Orleans ledges or current flow.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 04235250, Flint Creek at Phelps, NY

    USGS 04235250 is a direct Flint Creek station at Phelps, 25 feet below the Eagle Street bridge and near the lower route. Use its stage and discharge with recent rain and local inspection; it cannot report wood, bridge clearance, ledge shape, Old Mill Falls conditions, or access status at the upper endpoints.

    Source

  • Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch

    American Whitewater / Ontario Pathways / Flint & Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved same-river context image used for route presentation

    The image is labeled as river-level context when it depicts the named river elsewhere, not this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

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New York route guideBrowse every tracked New York route.Ontario County / Orleans and PhelpsJump to routes in this region.

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Quick answers

Flint Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Orleans to Phelps route on the Flint Creek?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Orleans to Phelps route on the Flint Creek start and end?

This route starts at Orleans Waddell Road / Flint Creek water-entry anchor and ends at Phelps Flint Creek take-out water-entry anchor, Approximately 6.7 river miles from the Waddell Road/Orleans access to the Phelps take-out; American Whitewater also publishes a longer 11-mile reach with alternate Wheat Road start context on the water.

Is the Orleans to Phelps route on the Flint Creek suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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