Rocky River
High Shoals
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 0.27 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 60 fpm |
| Gauge | Rocky River Nr Starr, Sc |
| Flow Rate as of 27 minutes | 28 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 6, 2021 |
The High Shoals section of the Rocky River is essentially a destination boating experience for Anderson natives. The Rocky River flows over High Shoals and drops about 40 feet in a few hundred yards. The rapids are essentially sliding shoals and ledges. Some small play spots developed at high water. However as an urban whitewater run, the Rocky River does has sub-standard water quality.
DO NOT BOAT BELOW THE FALLS UNLESS YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT EPIC FLATWATER ADVENTURES WITH LOTS OF STRAINERS.
Directions for this run are easy. Take 28 south from Anderson and go left at the 4 way intersection with Hays Rd. Park on the left at the bridge and carry down.
The lowhead dam at the put in can be easily bypassed on river left. There are some small waves here that are surfable.
The first slide is rather small. The second slide is slightly larger.
The Rocky River screams over a series of slides and shoals.
The final slide has a cool and much more difficult line on river left.
The best side surifng spot is on the final slide.
Jul 5, 2013
Unless you want to scrape and scoot I'd recommend not to try under 900. The more water the safer on this extremely shallow shoals. What little excitement there is will be found on river right. Avoid the smaller branch on river left due to a tree blocking the only line with water. We had two novice paddlers with us at 900 cfs and they had no problems.
Jan 1, 1900
Bypass the dam at the put in. There are some small surf waves here.
