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Description
From Salt Lake or Davis County, take I-15 to the Riverdale exit. Head East until you get to 700 West (the last light before the bridge over the Weber and Railroad tracks, also right across from the former Canyon Sports location). Take a left at 700 West. Then go straight at the 4400 S intersection and take the next right at 4300 South, then take the next right at 600 West, and go left at the fork into the Kayak Park parking lot by the bike path. There is a new picnic bench, and bathrooms in the summer (might be locked). There is also parking upstream along 4400S > S Weber River Drive.
Note that the Riverdale Wave was damaged by the spring floods of 2011, and the wave no longer forms as large. The downstream side of the (2nd drop) wave structure got scoured out into a deep pool, and that is the main reason the wave no longer forms. While the upstream edge of the wave was undercut about 8 feet, there was no undercut extending all the way under the wave structure. That 8 foot undercut was filled with boulders by the city, so its no longer a hazard. Some pieces of the upstream edge of the wave structure have broken off, but most of it is still intact. The pool between the two drops was also filled with boulders; so its not that good for roll practice any more. There are still good eddy turns and ferries, and a deep pool below the main wave.
Riverdale to 24th street kayak park:
Paddling from the Riverdale wave to the 24th street kayak park is a mellow class 1-2 paddle for 3 miles, at lower flows. This looks like a good SUP run. This can be extended by putting in a half mile upstream at the disc golf parking lot. If extending the downstream leg below OPP, scout for wood on the railroad bridge by the Weber County Transfer Station (Middleton road), could take out here, or paddle down below the confluence with the Ogden, and take out river right above the large diversion structure, at 1700 S 1200 W.
April 2017 there was riverwide wood below Parker Ave, as well as 4 large trees fallen in the river below Riverdale wave on the right. Russian Olive thorn trees are still an issue near the banks. Always be heads-up for wood.
Above 1300 the swirlies are significant at Riverdale wave, probably class 3, and the 24th street kayak park top hole gets quite large. Its not a good beginner run above 700.