Robeson Creek

For the put in, drop your boats off at the end of Dr. MLK Jr. Dr. and then drive back down the street to park in the Food Lion Parking lot. You can access the creek a little less than 100 yards downhill from the end of the street. The county is working on a greenway access in the area at some point, so there may be a better option to put in in the future. There is no USGS gage to know if this is running, but first check lake levels. If the lake is around 216-220 ft and you see no rocks upstream at Hanks Chapel Rd, it is running. If lake levels are high, you will need to scope out upstream a bit from Hanks Chapel Rd. to inspect. Do not put on if you see rocks upstream, because it will not be any fun. Two inches of rain in the drainage area should be good if you're planning ahead and Tick Creek, although not very close would be a somewhat good indicator if it is spiking at I'm guessing 300 cfs or more.

Robeson Creek is an ideal run for the adventurous paddler who is not yet ready to take on a high-water Haw or other local river when heavy rain has hit the area. The rapids are straightforward, never reaching beyond class II but this would still be enjoyable for intermediate level paddlers since some maneuvering is required and good play waves can be found throughout the run. One does need to vigilant and prepared to portage in a few places making this maybe not the best place to paddle for a total beginner. The first one comes at approximately one mile in at an old mill dam. Portage river left and carry through a break in the wall to put on below. There is some surfing to be had in the outflow of the dam, which has the most powerful current of the whole run. It will be largely flat for the next couple of miles with the occasional rapid and some surfing waves.

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