Laurel

We paddled this stretch in the summer of 2010 and with the lake down, Whore House is completely exposed and should be rated a class V - because of the push, the length and the moves to avoid some substantial and large holes. We had near 4000 cfs and it was a very substantial rapid. The rating scale is off - should be clear that there is a class V on this.
Brent Austin 1-9-11

This is what you want to see. Too many times have good intentioned boaters left here without seeing this sight only to curse the dreaded power comany for not releasing.

In December 2004 a rain storm raised the lake level to the point that the lake poured over the beach. This is the view looking up at the first drop.
The second drop below the pourover.
Noone had the stones to run it at this level.

Two of us swam and lost our boats at the rapid pictured. We all hiked out and eventually got the 2 boats back. This river is fun to paddle but it's a real bad one to swim.
Two of us swam and lost our boats at the rapid pictured. We all hiked out and eventually got the 2 boats back. This river is fun to paddle but it's a real bad one to swim.

This is the best view of the longest rapid on the Laurel. Stay right of center and watch the shallow rocks. The wave at the bottom is super fast and pulsey but a blast.
One of the various waves/holes on the 2.5 mile run
fun but fast wave at the bottom of the first big rapid
great day on the Laurel
Super fast, pushy and fun water. COLDEST release water in the SE! Notice the tree trunk to the left. This is not that common in the river.