Oconee, North

Ran this today with a friend. Gauge was at 5.23. Large tree across complete width about 200 yards after the put-in. Mandatory portage/climb over tree. Could be dangerous at higher levels. Lots of other trees along the route, but all easily avoidable. That said, paddled it about a week ago with gauge at around 6.5 and could boof over the tree which had about 3' of pour-over. Other than the tree (at 6.5), it was a nice, mellow run with a few tame I+/II rapids and some very forgiving surf waves and holes with comfortable stretches of moving water between. At 5.23 on the other hand, water quality was a bit dirtier, and we were definitely hitting rocks on the shallower rapids. OK in a creeker, got stuck on a few mossy rocks in my Rockstar. Would definitely return at higher water levels, and great river for confident beginners.