River Report?

[smbass43]

Has anyone been on the river since the flood? I'm curious to see how all of that water has impacted the river in general. I'm hoping for a clearing of log jams, and the gravel bars to be cleaned up. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks

[Brian Sloss]

I'm floating Thomasville to Cane Bluff tomarrow to see if it is safe for this weekend. Anything below Greer is still too high for now. Hopefully it will be ready some time next week.

[Mark]

I'll bet there is a fresh supply of camp firewood.

[Gavin]

Toss a chain saw in the boat just in case.

[smbass43]

I'll bet there is a fresh supply of camp firewood.

I was thinking the same thing. Good fire wood has been scarce the past couple years I have camped along the river.

[Mark]

Exactly!! I am excited to hear reports of river changes. Can't wait to get down there myself. Maybe even some fresh deposits of sand moved around for some comfortable camp sites.

[smbass43]

That would be nice. I guess we will have to wait for a few weeks. Forecast is calling for more rain down there. Just hope there isn't any new log jams to get the canoe hung up on!

[Brian Sloss]

Just got back from kayaking the Thomsville to Cane Bluff section. The water is great up there now. There were 6 portages, 4 in the first 2.5 miles. The first two starting right after the eagles nest are easy to walk around, but the 3rd one sucks a bit. You come around a sharp right bend and the river narrows and quickens right at a downed tree with branches sticking up (the tree is running the same direction as the current) If you pull over at every gravel bar past the 2nd portage that has a sharp right turn, you will be able to put together a game plan before the obstacle. I crossed the river quickly to river left and got out and walked 20 yards up a farm road and then bush wacked 20 yards back to the river. That is the worst portage of the trip. There is a portage, but not a bad one at posey spring, go around river left. Then you are free and clear for a couple of miles until the river forks alittle ways down from roaring spring. The right side is fast narrow water (a fairly long,fast run too)and the left side looks more marshy. In retrospect, I'd go left as the right side makes for difficulty pulling over. Right after the two currents come back together there is a tree accross the river about 4 ft up, but branches come down into the river. Portage around the left side, uncomfortable, but not too hard once you can get pulled over. The last one is the low water bridge about .75miles above cane bluff Stay tight to the right bank and pull over right before the bridge and it will be an easy portage. You know the bridge is coming when you see the big house and the smaller stone house on the river left. I'll bet the Cane Bluff to Greer section will be fine, but can't garentee if. But as the river gets bigger we tend to have fewer places that you have to portage. Got on the river at 10:30 and off at 1:30 and the trip is 9.5 miles long. Because of 2 of the portages I would not feel comfortable put kids out up there, but experienced adults should be fine, though pack light.

[steve l]

Thanks for the update. Able to get a sense for the gravel - have bars been cleaned off, built up, reopened etc?

[Brian Sloss]

The gravel bars were fine, though some were under water still. Denny Hollow was in rough shape. Firewood will be in ample supply this summer.