Paddling Trips on the River

Although the Catawba River and Wateree River have 11 major lakes, there are still a lot of great places to paddle.  For new paddlers, we recommend participating in a guided trip, such as one of our family Eco Tours or our youth kayaking program, which are both ususally lead by the Catawba Riverkeeper.  You can also learn to paddle by renting a kayak or participating in one of the programs at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which is located on the Catawba River between Charlotte and Gastonia  (link to National Whitewater Center web site).  If you are comfortable paddling on your own, but lack experience, we suggest starting on one of the lakes, or the 31-mile long "free flowing" section of the Catawba between Lake Wylie and Great Falls, South Carolina.  This section includes the world's largest grove of spider lilies, which bloom between mid-May and early June.  A map showing put-in and take-out locations on this section of the river is available on the Duke website at http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/catawba-river-canoe-trail-map.asp?sec=content.

Some sections of the South Fork River and the Upper Catawba River Canoe and Kayak trail are also a great choice for beginning paddlers.  Even the most advanced paddler will find a challenge in the Wilson Creek Gorge, or during periodic recreational releases on the Great Falls of the Catawba.  Links to information about most of the places to paddle on the Catawba are included below.  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT EVEN THE EASIEST SECTIONS OF THE RIVER CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS DURING PERIODS OF HIGH WATER FLOW. 

It is strongly recommended that you check the release schedule for the dam above the section that you are paddling before starting the trip because water levels can increase quickly on the Catawba.  For example, if the release from Lake Wylie is 80 cubic feet per minute (cfm) or less, the water may be too low for this section to be enjoyable, and if the release from Lake Wylie approaches 11,800 cfm, Class I rapids become transformed into Class III rapids suitable for experienced paddlers only. Information about scheduled releases and the impact on downstream flow is available at the Duke Energy website or by calling 800-829-5253.

Our next guided paddling event open to the general public will be the Spider Lily Eco-Tour on May 22, 2010.  In 2009, we had over 50 people paddle through the spider lilies and hear a presentation by the Riverkeeper.  Photos from the trip are posted at 2009 Spider Lily Eco Tour Photos.  Additoinal information about the 2010 Spider Lily Eco-Tour is at Spider Lily Eco-Tour.   Information about the Fall Leaf Tour is at Fall Leaf Tour.   Information about the Youth Kayak River Expedition program is available by clicking here.

Information about Access Points and Trails

(organized from the lower part of the basin to the upper part of the basin):

• Landsford Canal Park map - map showing the location of the put-in and take-out as well as the major shoals in the River.  The trip through the spider lilies typically takes 1-3 hours.  There is a put-in and take-out in the park.
• Catawba River Trail from Lake Wylie to Landsford Canal - Description of access points and points of interest on the 31-mile long "free-flowing" section of the Catawba below Lake Wylie.  The first section from the Lake Wylie dam to River Park in Rock Hill is about 6 miles long.  The next section from River Park to Landsford Canal State Park is about 18 miles long.  The final section, from Landsford Canal State Park to the Hwy. 9 bridge access is about 7.4 miles long.  If the release from Lake Wylie is 80 cubic feet per minute (cfm) or less, the water may be too low for this section to be enjoyable.  If the release from Lake Wylie approaches 11,800 cfm, Class I rapids become transformed into Class III rapids suitable for experienced paddlers only.
• South Fork River access points - There are various sections of the South Fork of the Catawba that can be paddled, but the easiest section to paddle is a section between the Spencer Mountain access point and I-85.  This section is about 5.5 miles long. 
• Riverbend Park in Catawba County (Lookout Shoals Lake)
• Upper Catawba River Trail brochure - page 1 (large PDF file)
• Upper Catawba River Trail brochure - page 2 (large PDF file)
• Wilson Creek Gorge - Wilson Creek Gorge is spectacular, but only appropriate for the most experienced paddlers (unless you just want to look at the scenery and watch the paddlers).
• Upper Catawba River Basin Map - including locations of access points
• Lower Catawba-Wateree River Basin Map - including locations of access points.
• Catawba Basin Whitewater Information compiled from American Whitewater site - This information includes information about tributaries of the Catawba including the Johns River, Linville River, and Wilson Creek.  Most of the sections described in this summary are serious whitewater for skilled paddlers only.

To get additional information about access points on the various lakes, click here.  For information about paddling other rivers in South Carolina, click here.

Video of Paddling Trips

Are you wondering what the water is like on the Catawba?   To check out video of paddling trips to see if it looks like it fits your abilities, CLICK HERE.