| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 6.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Roanoke River at Roanoke Rapids, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 26 minutes | 2530 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 25, 2013 |
Put in at the Hwy-48 bridge over the river. There are parking are on the river left bank just downstream of the bridge.
The river is mostly flat for the almost three miles to the I-95 bridge. Downstream of the I-95 bridge, the river splits into multiple channels. There is one insignicant rapid before the next bridge which is the US-158/US-310 bridge.
About 150 yards downstream of the 158/301 bridge is the 'Rapid'. When the lake level is low enough to expose the rapid (see the gauge description), there are three lines and some play spots. Also downstream of the 158/301 bridge but immediately upstream of the Rapid, a small channel branches off to the river left that bypasses the Rapid. However it also bypasses the takeout so you'll have to make a long flat but upstream paddle back to the takeout.
Takeout is the boat ramp a few hundred yards downstream of the Rapid.
To get to the take out or to park & play at the Rapid, get off I-95 Exit 173 and head east on 158 for 2 miles through the town of Weldon. Take a left on 301 then take an immediate right, park behind the soccer field.
The river right channel is a class III rapid. Standard line is starting from river left, then move to river right after passing the hole against river right bank about half way through the rapid. The bottom drop has a sticky hole on the river left named Dumpster Hole. Brave souls play there and sometimes result in broken equipment, body parts, and spirits. When the dam is releasing above 3000 cfs, the river right side of the bottom drop forms a dynamic wave. There are alternate lines through the river right channel that involves catching multiple micro eddies and one large eddy.
The center channel offers two basic lines. Most of the water flows through the main center channel. Start in the center angle left following the water, then heads back right to punch through a 2ft ledge, after which ride the fast current and hit the bottom wave.
The easiest line through the Rapid is on the river left. From the pool above, look for the left most slot that forms by two rocks. This slot is just to the right of the the cove where one can get out to scout and portgage. Line up for the slot and paddle straight through and you'll end up on the bottom on river left. No manuevers required.
The bottom wave in the center channle offers endless surfing. The wave gets steeper the lower the lake level is. The 2ft ledge near the top of the center channel also has some potential play spots but eddy access are difficult and head banging potential are high.
According to the locals, when the big release comes through (20,000+ cfs), big and dynamic waves forms for a few hours until the lake level catches up. Once the rapid disappears, the only playspot left is the eddy lines at the 158/301 bridge.
May 30, 2026
Ran today with 2700 cfs upstream and 18 ft downstream. This was a good combo for the big drop at the end. We also checked out the far left channel and then around the island. There was not quite enough water to be good, but it was somewhat interesting. Mostly class 1 in this channel and we paddled around the big island and back upstream to the boat ramp. No rapids down there but the current is strong and it’s a tough paddle back upstream.
Jan 6, 2017
paddled the fall line back on late September. water running close to 2300cfs. should have been a perfect day for the wave. Two other boaters were there as well. Wave did not form up as it had in the past. not sure but I think the heavy rains of Fall 2015 through early summer 2016 may have upset the formation. if anyone else has info please let us know.