Saluda, South - 2- Blyth Shoals - Hwy 11 to Talley Bridge


Saluda, South,

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2- Blyth Shoals - Hwy 11 to Talley Bridge

Usual Difficulty III-IV(V) (may vary with level)
Length 1.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient 55 fpm
Max Gradient 230 fpm

Blythe Shoals with water


Blythe Shoals with water
Photo by Will Jones taken 12/26/04 @ 3 ft

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT ROSMAN, NC
usgs-03439000 300 - 2000 cfs III-IV(V) 01h34m 498 cfs (rc= 0.1 )
Upper limit for best boatability uncertain. Please help your fellow boaters with a comment or report.


River Description

Puttin: The puttin is a pullout on highway 11 is roughly about .7 of a mile upstream from where the river takes a sharp turn away from highway 11.
Takeout: Just follow Blythe Shoals Rd. down to Talley Bridge. Please try to be as low profile and keep as close to the bridge as possible while taking out.
The Landowners: Please respect the landowners and the NO TRESPASSING signs. I have heard of a landowner here to escort people trying to fish on his property out with a shotgun in hand. Also if something occurs where you must get out of the boat try to stay out of sight.

The Blyth Shoals section of the South Saluda is a short, extremely steep, micro gorge. The South Saluda River makes a 90-degree turn in the town of Blyth Shoals and plunges over a multi drop waterfall of the same name. This would be a great roadside whitewater run with good water after local rains but most of the river is HEAVILY posted with no trespassing signs. You can not get out to scout the big drop. The only way to scout is to do so while running shuttle. After the big rapid the river pools and then squeezes into a tight boulder filled drop above Talley Bridge.

At 400 cfs the big drop at Blyth Shoals becomes a class V monster rapid that could easily be mistaken for a big drop on the Green Narrows.

Blyth Shoals has been run at a variety of levels by boaters with expert skills. At low flows intermediate paddlers have run these rapids upright.


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2007-02-26 16:06:44