Spencer Creek in Ontario flows through the Hamilton-Dundas area, draining down the Niagara Escarpment and emptying into Cootes Paradise marsh at the western end of Lake Ontario. The creek offers distinctly different paddling experiences depending on which section is run, ranging from challenging whitewater through Dundas to calm flatwater paddling near its mouth.

The upper town section through Dundas is a solid Class III run in normal conditions, rising to Class IV at high water. Much of the whitewater here is formed by concrete infrastructure, and the most demanding rapids tend to concentrate around the various bridges that cross the river. A notable hazard is the keeper hole at the end of the raceway just upstream of Highway 8, which should be avoided. Paddlers are strongly warned not to pass under the train bridge near the take-out; the correct exit is river right, roughly 100 metres upstream of that tunnel, walking up the hill to Highway 8. Wood and debris are occasional hazards throughout the run. Put-in options for the town section include behind the Dundas Community Pool, or slightly upstream at the small drop under the adjacent bridge. The Sydenham Creek confluence near the Canadian Tire location provides an additional launch point and adds volume to the flow.

The lower section near Cootes Paradise is an entirely different character — calm, shallow water generally between three and five feet deep, with side channels and sheltered pockets. This area is beginner-friendly and is managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens, a National Historic Site and Nationally Important Bird Area. Wildlife in this section is a notable draw, with species including least bittern, hooded warbler, osprey, black-crowned night-heron, Caspian tern, pileated woodpecker, prothonotary warbler, and a nesting pair of bald eagles near the mouth of Spencer Creek. The Spencer Creek Delta is noted as one of the largest creek deltas on Lake Ontario.

Paddling in the Cootes Paradise area can be accessed from Princess Point, where parking is available for $6 per day or free with a Royal Botanical Gardens membership. The lower Spencer Creek section is best paddled in spring when water levels are higher, as the creek can become too shallow at other times of year. Water quality in Cootes Paradise has been noted as a concern by local paddlers, and rinsing off after paddling is advisable. Posted signs in certain sections of Cootes Paradise indicate areas where paddlers should avoid disturbing wildlife.