Twelvemile Creek

SC 137 to Lay Bridge Rd(12 Mile River)

Difficulty	II-III(V+)
Length	1.9 mi
Avg Gradient	56 fpm
Gauge	Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty, Sc
Flow Rate as of 1 hour	48 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last Updated	October 28, 2025

River Description

Written with input from multiple sources including Ethan Talley and Garrick Taylor

The dams have been removed on this section!

The 12 Mile will be in a state of flux for some time as large sediment loads move downstream. Conditions will change, particularly during high water events. Quite a few trees are in play in a number of rapids, and there's potential for more to fall in as the banks stabilize. Use caution when paddling, especially during the first few high water events.

From SC 137 to the Lay Bridge there is just about 101 feet of gradient in the 12 Mile over 1.8 miles.

Rapids are rated for average flows (~500 cfs), so raise ratings by one notch when paddling high water, or lower them a bit for low water. The very bottom of the run can be run as low as 100 cfs by hiking up the road from the takeout and then down to the river.

Note on shuttle and parking:

This river’s takeout and put in are very close to residential and high-traffic roads. Be aware as you change and set shuttle/ run laps. Be kind and courteous to the locals and speak whenever possible. The fishermen are usually extremely friendly and very curious about paddle sports. That being said, don’t ruin our reputation here. We could easily start running into vandalism and theft in this area if we don’t keep a good rapport with the locals.

There is a new put-in parking area on upstream river right. The previous put-in used on upstream river left is now posted as a tow zone due to people blocking the gate there. Don't park there. The new parking area is owned by Easley Utilities and leased for use as a put-in. Please park here and keep valuables locked out of sight to discourage break-ins (there haven't been any - let's keep it that way). There is a private drive there. DO NOT drive up this driveway as you will block the landowners that live at the end of that road. You can walk your boat up the driv

...

River Features

Put-In

Distance: -0.06 mi

Sign for put-in parking

Rodeo Hole

Class: III+Distance: 1.6 mi

This is a friendly play spot around 250 cfs but becomes a hole sucking trees off the bank at hgh water. At higher water, look for a break across the ledge on the left side and drive through the break hard into the eddy below.

Pumphouse Rapid

Class: II+Distance: 1.65 mi

A fun ledge below Rodeo Hole, with a water intake structure below on river left. At medium levels (500 cfs or so) it becomes sticky but playable. It looks scary at high water.

Toad Rock

Class: IIIDistance: 1.7 mi

Take Out

Visual guage looking upstream from the center of the iron bridge. Pictures taken June 26-29 2006. Levels are 4,000cfs, 2,000cfs, 600cfs, and 300cfs.

At normal levels (~500 cfs), there are eddies to catch and a couple of waves to surf IF you can catch them on the fly. Awesome wave near the bottom that will give a great, long ride if you can catch it.

At Ocoee release levels, this rapid is comparable to tablesaw in many ways, with a nice wave train, holes to punch or eddys to catch. Make sure you note that the main flow folds directly onto the bridge pier which at this level is undercut. Boats have been folded on the pier before. Make a move to the right just before the pier if in the main flow, or run down the sides.

Take out

Distance: 1.9 mi

Take Out

Don't miss the takeout at the bridge, or you will flush into CBT falls

Trip Reports

James Moloney

Oct 28, 2025

Brandon Rawls

Jun 10, 2019

Access has greatly improved with the addition of Cateechee Beach County Park. Right where Norris Hwy (137) crosses Twelvemile Creek. Large parking lot and paved path going right down to the water.

Google Maps pin for park - https://goo.gl/maps/wvnLehWBtqx3XiVr5