Flat
1. US Route 501 to Route 1614
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 8.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Flat River at Bahama, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 35 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 12, 2025 |
River Description
Data from Joe Greiner, local ex
This section of the Flat is probably less popular than the lower, which goes to Lake Michie but it is decent and on par with other similarly rated rivers around. However, unlike the section further downstream, there is no permit required for parking if you take out earlier than the suggested one. There is some limited parking on Red Mountain Rd. Another option that gets the best stuff and shortens the trip a bit is to park on the shoulder of Moore's Mill Rd, but make sure you stay on the Durham County side before the No Parking Signs start at the line for Person County. This avoids two miles of flat water for this section and the parking fee at State Forest Rd, which is either $60/year or $13/day for a day pass, which can be purchased here if preferred.
At 3.35 miles from the South Flat put in, there is Moore's Mill busted dam. It can be run at low water and is probably worth portaging at higher levels. Scouting is recommended regardless, getting out well ahead of the drop since current is strong at higher levels. After the dam, there are two ledges before Moore's Mill Rd and one similar and slightly tricky ledge immediately after the bridge. I would love to know the names of these if they ever had them if anyone knows. ZCS
River Features
Put In
Harris Mill
Nothing too difficult, just a ledge. Some play waves below.
Moore's Mill Busted Dam
Portage river left to scout your line. At higher water it might be worth putting in below due to the significant hydraulic that covers all but the far left ledge. The following rapids are the best of the whole river, lasting about a quarter mile. Just below the bridge there are some diagonal waves to watch out for just below the final drop.
Deep Creek Drop
Enter Deep Creek that comes in river left. Portage and put in before the drop. Hug the far right for the drop.
Alternate Take Out
If taking out here, you will not have to pay for a parking permit, which is required on the State Forest Road downstream and you will eliminate 2 miles of mostly flat water. We park at the right shoulder of the river right side of the bridge.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe ran this yesterday. At 4.9 ft on the USGS gage, there was one class 2 on the South Flat before the confluence and lots of flat water. After the confluence there were a few class 2s some with some decent sized waves and a good surf wave at what used to be Harris Mill. The busted dam above Moores Mill Rd was not difficult, but intimidating. There was a small landing zone river left that did not have a nasty hole, but looked really boily below most of the drop. From here till below the bridge was heavy boogie for our area and some of the best rapids in the triangle in my opinion. Two more fun drops before you reach the Durham county line. From here, it's the occasional class 2 with some good waves. Deep Creek at this level didn't look very big and was not worth portaging to run, but it was a neat play spot with very strong current. We took out at Red Mountain Rd to avoid the extra flat water. If you park here, I'd recommend river right just after Old Red Mountain Road, where it is downhill to not get stuck.
I ran this in April, but just wanted to mention some info I didn't see anywhere. The takeout at state forest road requires a permit for parking. It was $18 for me and good for a year. I would recommend taking out at either Bowen rd or Red Mountain to get the last of rapids before a long flat section. Going under the low bridge is fun, but there's not much other than that unless you are going all the way to lake Michie. If you take out at red mountain there's a good class 2+ drop on deep creek river left. At 2.5 ft when I ran it, I did not find the busted dam above Moores mill difficult compared to other class IIIs in the area, but this kicks off the most fun rapids for the next 0.25 miles. According to other reports this is more challenging at higher levels, but I found 2.5 ft manageable and fun for a novice, similar to middle haw difficulty, less so than lower rocky for comparison.
Whoever said the Flat is runnable at 5cfs must have been riding a bicycle down it. Consider 2 foot @Bahama to be minimum. At 4' and over, the broken dam becomes a class 3+ and the bridge below a solid class 3.
le scott
The broken dam marks the begining of a lively class II section that only gets bigger as the water rises.
There is a broken dam on this section that should be scouted. It is decidedly more difficult than the rest of this class I-II run.