Special Report: Kayak Float Report: Wellington Reservoir, Wellington, Ohio. April 7, 2021
Thank you for being patient as I recapture the thrill of my Great Loop Adventure. I’m still getting my notes and journal together on the travel from Mobile, Alabama. In the meantime, I revisited some of the places I kayaked a couple of years ago. The Float Report information is still relevant as very little if anything has changed. I hope you enjoy this and please share it with your friends.
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Kayak Float Report: Wellington Reservoir, Wellington, Ohio. April 7, 2021.
Should you be standing in the middle of the town square of Oberlin, Ohio, and find yourself a good fist-sized stone, one not too big and not too small, throw it with all your might south in the direction of the mighty Ohio River, and should a good gust of wind from behind your back catch that stone it would fall smack dab in the center of the sleepy village of Wellington. And should you travel down Rt 58 past the 1885 Town Hall and over the railroad track, past the Tractor Supply, make a right turn on Jones Rd. and go down a piece you would find the entrance to Wellington Reservoir. left turn past the paved parking lot and over to the overflow lot, on the right, you would see the kayak launch at the end of the short dock.
Don't be surprised if you see people on the dock throwing a fishing line in or sitting with their feet in the water or just catching some sunshine on their faces. It's a popular spot. There's a little walk down a dirt path, not hard but can be tricky with 17 ft kayak balancing on your head as you make a 90+ degree turn.
Everyone I ran into seemed friendly and wanted to give you a hand. And once you scoot your kayak on rollers into the cold water they will all give you a big smile as you paddle away leaving them behind.
It's a small lake about 2 miles to paddle around the shoreline with a dogleg to the left makes you wonder what's beyond that turn. Dense vegetation crowds the banks as its branches spring back to life from a winter's rest. Look closely and you'll sneak up on some turtles on a log taking in the late afternoon sunshine. And what's that commotion in the bushes? Nothing but a Great Blue Herron as it leaps in the air off its branchy perch. Above the banks, a section of the road abuts the waterline with gravel rocks giving you time to burn off a few calories till you get to more trees on the far end.
An outflowing stream catches your attention and you have to follow it. A couple of orange buoys announce there is danger ahead. Cautiously, you push ahead. A small overhead bridge greets you but you will not get beyond that. A low-water concrete dam is holding back the water to create the reservoir. In times of high water, paddling here would not be a wise use of your time. I note my water thermometer is reading 51.3 degrees, the coldest temp on this stretch of the reservoir. The rest of the lake would have temps in the 56 to 58-degree range.
My eyes scan the shoreline on my way back to the open water. But my ears catch the scurrying footsteps of a brown rodent as it vanishes into a hole just above the waterline. A muskrat made it back home safely. Another turtle here and another there, 10 in all I counted. A couple of short coves that required my investigation were quiet all except for one startled creature I could not identify. It was large, causing a good-sized dead branch to fall from a tree but ran into the thicket without me getting a good look.
I glided my kayak to the far end and a small group of hikers wanted me to know they spotted a snake entering the water near me. Was much obliged but rest assured that the critter had no intention of making my acquaintance.
The creek that feeds this lake was running at a minimum as I made my way back to the kayak launch ramp to call it a day. There were no other kayakers on the lake and the grounds were getting used well by the local population. A horse trailer pulled into the parking lot and a couple of guys let out a pair of horses to feed on the grasses along the trail. Yes, indeed a fine afternoon as I pulled my kayak up the path on my return to the car.
Link to Wellington Reservation — Lorain County Metro Parks
The Wellington Reservation Park Visitor Center overlooks the small lake.
The roadway is devoid of any vegetation.
The obligatory selfie.
The lake empties out a small creek ahead.
Warning buoys.
Looks so inviting.
But this is as far as you can safely go.
Time to turn around and head back out.
Low hanging fir trees hug the shoreline.
Where there are no people there is wildlife.
One of the many turtles resting on a log.
A great blue heron in flight.
Coming in for a landing near me.
One of the coves off the lake.
I’m sure the horse enjoys being out here as do the people.
Map of Wellington, Ohio
